Each year in Niagara we recognize the excellence of our local grape growers by crowning one of them as the Niagara Grape King or Queen.  Our last event to recognize these men and women was held in 2005 and there have been four new kings crowned since that time.  On Friday, July 24, 2009, the Niagara Chapter of the Ontario Wine Society would like to salute the recent kings: Doug Hernder (2005), Matthias Oppenlaender (2006), Kevin Watson (2007) and the reigning monarch Lou Puglisi (2008). 

     Doug Hernder will moderate and introduce the kings.  It should be an interesting and amusing evening.  We will be tasting many of the grape varieties their vineyards produce for wineries such as Peller, Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin and Thirteenth Street.

     The event will be held at the spectacular Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate winery.  The winery will provide a free tour at 5:30 p.m. to those who sign up in advance on the form below.  There will be a reception at 6:30 pm featuring Jackson-Triggs Cuvee Close Sparkling wine. There will be food to share after the tasting by Chef David House.

     After the event the winery’s boutique will open for members who wish to purchase Jackson-Triggs and Le Clos Jordanne wines.

Directions: 

Traveling on the Q.E.W. over the Garden City Skyway from the west, take the Glendale exit north (second exit under overpass) and follow to York Road, turn right. Drive along York Road and turn left at Concession 7. Follow Concession to Highway 55 also called Niagara Stone Road.  Turn right and follow Highway 55 almost to the Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Jackson-Triggs is on the right.

To register for this event, fill out and mail in the form below.

Registration Form

For information call the Wine Line at 416-921-9798 or visit www.ontariowinesociety.com. 

Members $35, Non-Members $45.  Members may bring one guest at member price. Your cheque must be received by July 17, 2009.  Cancellations will be accepted up to July 20, 2009, by calling the Wine Line or emailing www.owsmailings@aol.com.  Please do not mail cash.  Seats will not be sold at the door.  Although we appreciate knowing your intentions, receipt of your cheque is the only way to guarantee a reservation, so please be sure to mail in your registration forms early as reservations are not accepted by phone or email.  

Please reserve _____ space(s) for Honouring The Grape Kings.  Enclosed is my cheque for $_______.  (Please make cheque payable to "The Ontario Wine Society - Niagara Chapter").  Please contact me at ______________________________________ to confirm your receipt of this cheque.

****Please reserve ___ space (spaces) for the optional free tour of Jackson-Triggs at 5:30 pm. 

Please print:

MEMBER’S NAME: _____________________________________________________

OWS INDUSTRY MEMBER AFFILIATION?:  ____________________________________

GUEST NAME (S): _____________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________

CITY: _________________________________ POSTAL CODE: __________________

TELEPHONE:(DAY) ______________ (EVENING) ____________________________

WAIVER, RELEASE AND INDEMNITY - I, for myself, my heirs or assigns, and my guests for whom I accept complete responsibility, hereby release and forever discharge and indemnify the Ontario Wine Society (OWS), its executive, all members and their guests, from any and all damages, claims and actions relating to OWS activities, at Society functions or on Society grounds. I certify that I, and my guests, are 19 years of age or older.       

SIGNED: _____________________________________ DATE: _______________________________

                                           Mail to: The Ontario Wine Society - Niagara Chapter.

c/o S. Couch, 4850 Cherrywood Dr., Beamsville, ON., L0R 1B9