It is three years in a row for Tawse Winery who have been announced as Canada’s Winery of the Year, a new record in the industry.

Tawse is the first ever Ontario winery to win the award, the first to win two years in a row, and of course, the first to win three years in a row – a record that is sure to be an industry marvel.

The winemaking team at Tawse Winery is comprised of Paul Pender, Renee van Ede, and consulting winemaker Pascal Marchand, supported by a comprehensive team of assistant winemakers, cellar hands, vineyard hands, and biodynamic specialists. It is important to note the biodynamic aspects of this winery, as winemaker Pender is known for his belief that great wine is made in the vineyard.  The process at Tawse winery is certainly indicative of this.

The organic and biodynamic farming process begins with no pesticides. The goal is to encourage a stronger fruit that is resilient enough to withstand the pests, cold weather, winds, moisture and other elements of the Niagara climate that challenge the vineyard. Natural concoctions using materials grown in the Tawse organic gardens and combined at the winery are used to encourage this resilience. You can also gather some insight on the operation by scoping out the team that handles some of the vineyard work. They include two horses, for plow pulling, and approximately forty sheep, tasked with handling the exposure of grapes to the sun by nibbling on the leaves around the fruit set at the bottom of the vine. It is measures such as these and many more that result in the exceptional fruit that Pender and his team vinify into exceptional wine.

With the third win, owner Moray Tawse, a Toronto financier, discussed the pride of the team noting: “We at Tawse Winery are enormously proud of being named Canada’s Winery of the Year for an unprecedented third year in a row.” Going on to discuss the philosophy, he noted: “These awards validate the philosophy and all of the hard work that goes into crafting our organic and biodynamic Estate wines.”

With the Niagara industry receiving much attention for this exciting third win for Tawse Winery, the accolades are a celebration for all. Recognition for one winery has positive results in tourism for the region and results in Niagara being a prized destination for eager wine lovers from far and wide!

Listed below are the gold medal wines that have brought the team to victory:

2010 Carly’s Block Riesling
2010 David’s Block Cabernet Franc
2010 Estate Chardonnay
2010 Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc
2010 Members Select Chardonnay
2010 Members Select Syrah
2010 Meritage
2010 Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay
2010 Sketches of Niagara Riesling