When: Saturday, June 22, 2024
starting at 10:30 am
Where: Mohawk College
135 Fennell Ave W, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E5
2024 marks our 55th Anniversary !
We will be celebrating along with many of our former members that have moved on to make a living in the wine industry.
It’s time to get back together in person, to re-connect with fellow winemakers and learn about new tools, techniques and supplies available to home winemakers.
This event is designed for both novice and experienced winemakers, offering a variety of workshops, seminars, wine tastings and networking opportunities to help you hone your skills and take your winemaking to the next level. At the festival, you’ll have the chance to learn from some of the top experts in the province, as well as connect with other amateur winemakers from clubs across Ontario. You’ll also have the opportunity to sample some of the best homemade wines around, as well as explore the latest trends and techniques in winemaking!
Festival Events
Check out the seminars we are offering this year. The Club Showcase is when we get to mingle & taste each others award winning wines. Please contact Karen to reserve a club table. Check out our photos from past Festivals. Also, there is the AGM, the Competition Awards Presentation and a Silent Auction.
Here is a list of our seminars. The asterisk at the end denotes a wine tasting will be offered as part of the seminar.
The titles are a link to more information.
10:30 am
- A Lifetime of Winemaking Mistakes by Don Eastman (grape grower and former AWO member)
- 5 Signature Bench Wines by Dan Stevenson (high scoring AWO member) *
- History of Ontario Winemaking by Jim Warren (vintner at Stoney Ridge Winery, author and former AWO member)
- Niagara Gamay is lit ! by Shriz Mottiar (vintner at Malivoire Winery) *
1:00 pm
- Sulphur Dioxide and the Limits of Knowledge by Steven Trussler (Brock University)
- Oak & Barrels by Vadim Chelekhov (vintner at Kacaba Winery) *
- The Science and the Art of Taste by Brian Aziz (high scoring AWO member) *
- Breaking Old Habits by Charles Fajgenbaum (Grapemasters and AWO member) *
2:15 pm
- What Is A “Well-Balanced” Wine And Why Should I Care? by Terry Rayner (winery consultant and AWO member) *
- Grape Growing for Quality by Ed Hughes (graper grower and former AWO member) *
- Ontario Chardonnay Masterclass by Dan Sullivan (owner & vintner at Rosehall Run, PEC and former AWO member) *
Registration
Here is the link to register for the Festival. Please note that after May 27, the price is increased by $15.
Mohawk College, Hamilton
Our festival this year is at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. Check the following link for detailed information and a layout of the residence suites. Each suite includes 2 double bed bedrooms, so you are encouraged to pair up with another winemaker. It is a very good price at $111/night plus HST using promo code ‘AWO2024’. Residence accomodations are not available via Festival registration, so you are required to call 905-385-3200 to make this reservation. This price is only valid until May 27. After that the price goes back to normal pricing.
AGM
The purpose of this meeting is to receive reports, elect directors, debate and vote on motions before the membership and transact other business properly put before the membership. A detailed agenda will be available prior to the meeting.
The Voting Designation form is required for entry to the AGM.
We are in need of more Board members, so please consider volunteering. We are particularly in need of people that are comfortable working with excel spreadsheets.
Do you know someone that you feel has had a positive impact on our organization ? If you do, please consider nominating them for the Paul Dunseath Outstanding Service Award.
* Note: Google Chrome is having an issue opening word documents (marked with an asterisk).
These documents can be opened in Microsoft Edge & Mozilla Firefox.
- 2023 AGM Minutes (draft)
- Voting Right Designation form *
- Board of Directors Nomination form *
- Paul Dunseath Outstanding Service Award Nomination form *
- previous Paul Dunseath Award winners