What a delight to host a sold-out crowd yesterday at Chateau Windrush as, together, we enjoyed Adi Braun live in concert! In her delightfully warm and embracing style, Canada’s internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter saluted Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney and Peggy Lee. Backed by pianist Don Breithaupt and bassist Pat Collins, what fun it was to enjoy not only her magnificent voice but also her exceptional scat singing and fine whistling!
Simone Pertuiset at Windrush
Simone Pertuiset is a descendant of the intrepid lion hunter portrayed in Manet’s famously controversial painting, ‘Monsieur Pertuiset, Chasseur de Lion’. She has lived, worked and volunteered in many countries and has travelled extensively, including sailing around the world for seven years on a small sailboat. After 30 years as a teacher and science and technical writer, she turns her creative style to historical novels and storytelling. She lives in Toronto.
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Recap – Bendas 4,3,2,1 Architecture Presentation at Windrush
On Sunday, October 30, 2022, wine and architecture enthusiasts alike gathered at Chateau Windrush to sample all five of Windrush Estate Winery’s international award-winning wines and hear from world-acclaimed architects, Jan and Ivana Benda, both with PhD degrees. They compellingly presented their life stories of people and architecture as ‘4 Countries, 3 Continents, 2 Individuals, 1 Dream’ . Continue reading
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Harvest thanksgiving and Bacchus THANKS!
Dear Windrush friends,
Did you know that, in 1723, Italian composer, Antonio Vivaldi, painted the country folk celebrating ‘the joy of the harvest with Bacchus’ wine’ in ‘Autumn’ from ‘The Four Seasons’?
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In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to get to know hundreds of our Indigenous family, from children to elders.
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History In Our Time
As a young musician and arts education innovator, I had the privilege to meet HM Queen Elizabeth II.
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Honouring Cory Trepanier: Our North Star
This week, we at Windrush Estate Winery honour and remember our friend and neighbour, local artist and explorer, CoryTrépanier. He died on Friday after a valiant fight with cancer as age 55.
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Imported French Wine: The first alcoholic beverage of choice in Simcoe County
Who knew Windrush Estate Winery would be continuing a regional tradition of winemaking that dates back over four centuries? The consumption of wine in what is now Simcoe County began 400 years ago!
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Windrush Estate Winery in Hockley Valley Announces the Launch of Windrush Foundation to Empower Kids Using Arts
In 2017, the married team of JC Pennie and Marilyn Field created Windrush Estate Winery in Hockley Valley, an hour northwest of Toronto. Already, their all-VQA wines have won Gold, Silver and Bronze awards – against 13,000 entries – at international wine competitions held in the UK.
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DYMON Wine Cellar
DYMON Wine Cellar in Toronto is a luxurious space for any wine lover, and we are pleased to share that they are now open! A selection of our VQA wines are currently stored in DYMON’s cellar, a beautiful location built with wine storage expertise. Please see below for DYMON’s services, and a limited time offer for Membership!
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Jim Warren, an Introduction
Legendary Ontario Vintner
When Jim Warren’s father presented him as a youngster with a small glass of wine to taste during the holidays, neither of them knew that this simple act was the start of a well decorated path in Ontario winemaking.
Today, four decades later, Jim Warren is an historic legend in the Ontario and Canadian wine industry as a teacher, winemaker, consultant and key contributor to Ontario wine production that is now acclaimed around the world.
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The Story of Building Windrush Estate Winery in Canada
Written by Jan Benda, April 2020
It was Saturday afternoon of a beautiful spring day – time to celebrate the last wine season and get ready for a new one. My wife and I were sitting on the patio of Windrush Estate Winery with owners, Marilyn and John. Besides cheese and snacks, there was an open bottle of red wine on the table with four glasses. We talked a little about the vineyard and how plants were challenged to survive the cold Canadian winter.
“Why did you get into the wine business?” I asked after a while. “It must be quite hard to grow grapes in Hockley Valley, a region that is not widely recognized for winemaking”.