Two Niagara West Vintages Selected as Official Wines of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

November 3, 2023

Toronto – Two Niagara West vintages have been selected as the official wines of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at the 44th Annual Speaker’s Wine Tasting at Queen’s Park.

In the Legislative Dining Room at Queen’s Park, joined by local grape growers and winemakers, elected Members and staff cast ballots for their favourite wines, October 25. Following a ballot count and validation of results, the 2020 Cabernet, vintnered by King and Victoria Winery in Vineland, was declared the official Red Wine of the Legislative Assembly, while the 2021 Chardonnay, vintnered by Watchful Eye Winery in Beamsville, was declared the official White Wine.

The official tasting event was hosted by Hon. Ted Arnott, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, along with Grape Growers of Ontario.

“Representing a riding with the most independent wineries in the province and a riding that now boasts the two official wines of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario confirms the world class status of our local growers and winemakers,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“I congratulate the Schenck family at King and Victoria Winery and George family at Watchful Eye Winery for their award-winning vintages.”

“As the legacy partner of the Legislature’s annual wine tasting event, Grape Growers of Ontario thanks the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for continuing the tradition of choosing the official VQA wines of the Legislative Assembly for the coming year,” said Matthias Oppenlaender, Chair of Grape Growers of Ontario.

“Our agriculture value-added industry is rooted in the land, and Grape Growers of Ontario looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Ontario to support Ontario’s grape and wine industry.”

“The wines showcased at this event reflect the connection between 100% Ontario grown grapes and the winemakers who craft them,” said Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of Grape Growers of Ontario.

“We congratulate all of Ontario’s wineries on producing top-quality VQA wines and thank the six wineries who participated in this year’s tasting.”

As official wines of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the 2020 Cabernet and 2021 Chardonnay will be served at formal functions at Queen’s Park throughout 2024 and will be available for purchase by elected Members and staff at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Gift Shop.