For general inquiries about magazine or information about products and for advertising inquiries in No.99 Wine and Cocktail Club magazine, please email communication@peller.com.
No.99 Wine and Cocktail Club magazine and myWineLife is published 4 times a year by Andrew Peller Limited.
Special thanks to Bloom & Co. and Nataschia Wielink for the cover photograph.
NOTE FROM THE EDITORS
After a busy summer of making memories in the sunshine, we’re ready to enjoy the colours and flavours of the fall season. In our opinion, Niagara Wine Country is at its best in the fall. The grape harvest is ramping up, the leaves are changing colour, and we reach for warming beverages (that may or may not contain whisky or cream liquor).
The change of the seasons also brings a few holidays, which means we had a chat with our eCommerce team to give you some inspiration for holiday gifting. You can find their answers on pages 8 and 9. You’ll be able to shop for your favourite Wayne Gretzky Estates products in-store at our estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake, at your local The Wine Shop, or from the comfort of your home online via WayneGretzkyEstates.com. There are tons of pre-built bundles that are sure to please everyone on your list.
If you’re still stumped for gift ideas, we highly recommend a gift card, a Wine Club membership, or even an overnight stay at Riverbend Inn. Treat your loved one to a wine country experience – tours, tastings, dining, or a quarterly shipment of delicious VQA wines. Visit our online shop or call our Wine Country Concierge team at 1-888-510-5537 to help you build a customized itinerary or gift package.
Sincerely,
Riley McGilvray & Madison Vine
PS. Drop us a line! We love hearing your feedback and hope that you’ll share your comments and suggestions with us, helping us make this exclusive wine club magazine even better.
Our Wine Club members and up to five guests can enjoy an elevated seated tasting in the Member Lounge at each of our Niagara-on-the-Lake estates. Reservations are recommended. Visit myWineCountry.com or call our Wine Country Concierge at 1-888-510-5537 to reserve your spot.
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INTRODUCING THE CRAFTSMANSHIP SERIES
SIGNATURE RYE
WAYNE GRETZKY
Meet the DIRECT TO CONSUMER TEAM
Our Direct to Consumer teammates are your primary contacts for your Wine Club membership. If you have questions about your membership, or about the wines in your shipment, they’re here to help. In addition to managing your quarterly shipments and planning amazing member exclusive weekends, they are also the folks who answer inquiries for online orders, as well as facilitate customized corporate gifting.
ASHLEY WHITE
DIRECT TO CONSUMER MANAGER, WINE CLUB
How many years have you been with the DTC team? 19 years ago I started my career with Andrew Peller Limited, but have spent the last 16 with the DTC team, focusing on our membership programs.
What is your favourite product and food pairing?
In the cooler months, I really enjoy our Trius Showcase Wild Ferment Chardonnay with a creamy mushroom soup, or the Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Noir with homemade butternut squash ravioli.
What is your favourite Fall experience in Niagara?
Our estates are always buzzing around harvest time so it’s the perfect time to visit and do a seated tasting or tour. I’m a big fan of the Whisky Bartender experience at Wayne Gretzky Estates. It’s a great hands-on seminar as our talented mixologists walk you through crafting your own cocktails.
Tell us about an interesting hobby you enjoy. When I’m not working or visiting Wine Country, I like to keep active by teaching dance at a local studio or getting in a round of golf at one of the many beautiful courses in the area.
What product will you be gifting or enjoying during the holidays?
Some gifting favourites of mine are our Trius Brut and our Wayne Gretzky Estate Cream Liquors. Both of which are crowd pleasers.
LEONA NICOLETTI
DIRECT TO CONSUMER ASSISTANT MANAGER, WINE CLUB
How many years have you been with the DTC team? 9 years with the DTC team. I have been Andrew Peller Limited for a total of 19 years
What is your favourite product and food pairing?
I love the fall and with that I crave savoury, rich and robust beef bourguignon. This dish
takes time, but it’s worth the wait and my entire family loves it. I always pair this with a Pinot Noir, and we make such a good variety of Pinot Noirs. It’s a poetic match for this dish.
What is your favourite Fall experience in Niagara?
My favourite time to visit the many Niagara wineries is during the Fall. There is so much happening at the wineries, it is the perfect time to enjoy all the activities they have to offer. The temperatures are cooler, and the vineyards are beautiful displaying vibrant fall colours.
Tell us about an interesting hobby you enjoy. I love going for an early morning walk, it not only clears your mind, it increases your energy. And it also starts your day off on a positive note. In the evening, I love curling up in front of the fireplace to read a good book, and of course enjoy a nice glass of red wine.
What product will you be gifting or enjoying during the holidays?
My go to gift for the holiday season is sparkling wine. Not only is it versatile, it’s the perfect celebratory wine for the holiday season. We also carry so many different types of sparkling glasses and gifted alongside a bottle makes for the perfect gift.
HALEY STRONG
WINE CLUB ADMINISTRATOR
How many years have you been with the DTC team? 2 years, 3 years at Andrew Peller Limited.
What is your favourite product and food pairing?
Peller Estates Ice Cuvée Rosé paired with just about anything. I love it with fried chicken, a charcuterie board, or cake.
What is your favourite Fall experience in Niagara?
I love the passport programs available in Niagara! It’s such a fun way to find your new favourite winery. I highly recommend the Niagara Wine Festival passport in September, and the Chocolate and Cheese passport in February.
Tell us about an interesting hobby you enjoy I am an unabashed fan of reality tv. You name it, and I’ve probably seen it.
What product will you be gifting or enjoying during the holidays?
Trius Red is always a great gift idea! The bottle looks special and it’s a food-friendly wine.
SUZANNE DYCK
DIRECT TO CONSUMER WINE SPECIALIST
How many years have you been with the DTC team? 3 years.
What is your favourite product and food pairing?
Trius Red served with sausage stuffed portobello mushrooms with a parmesan cheese crust.
What is your favourite Fall experience in Niagara?
Peller’s Perfect Pairings is a delicious experience. You’re able to enjoy wines paired alongside creations from Chef Parsons’ culinary team. Thirty Bench offers a more intimate seated tasting experience surrounded by the Beamsville Bench, plus a great opportunity to see the changing leaves and great views.
Tell us about an interesting hobby you enjoy. I love golfing. I especially like taking advantage of a great meal paired with our wines after hitting 18 holes. Any of our wines would make a great addition to a cozy evening by the firepit with friends.
What product will you be gifting or enjoying during the holidays?
We are planning on having a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal this year with a seafood themed feast to celebrate. Included will be seared scallops paired with a trio of our Thirty Bench Rieslings, crab cakes paired with Trius Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, shrimp and salmon dishes paired with Peller Estates Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc and Trius Distinction Pinot Noir.
Wine & Spirit ALLOCATION
WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES SIGNATURE
SERIES WHITE
750 mL | $24.95 | 11.5% ABV
VQA Niagara Peninsula
Fruity and Refreshing 13.1 g/L Sugar
FLAVOUR PROFILE
Clear and bright with a bouquet of yellow apple, Bartlett pear, melon, white peach, and spring blossoms. This blend is aromatic, light to medium-bodied, smooth and refreshing. Look for a medley of orchard fruit flavours to develop on the palate, with added notes of spice and floral on the finish.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Harvested from vineyards across the Niagara Peninsula. A blend of 34.6% Chardonnay, 20.5% Viognier, 20.4% Pinot Gris, 20.2% Riesling, and 4.3% Muscat Ottonel. The Chardonnay, Viognier, and Pinot Gris were barrel fermented and aged for 6 months in older French oak barrels. The Riesling and Muscat were fermented and aged in stainless steel to enhance fruit expression.
BEST SERVED
Serve chilled at 10 to 12ºC to enhance the refreshing acidity of this wine; or serve slightly warmer at 13 to 15ºC to allow for rich fruit development and a softer mouthfeel. Excellent as a sipping wine or serve with simply prepared roast chicken, turkey or pork, or light cream sauces on seafood and pasta.
WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES FOUNDERS SERIES
750 mL | $16.95 | 13% ABV
VQA Niagara Peninsula
Medium-bodied and fruit forward 5 g/L Sugar
FLAVOUR PROFILE
Clear and bright with a fruit-forward bouquet of apple, Bartlett pear, and white peach, accented by creamy custard. A medium-bodied, smooth yet refreshing Chardonnay with orchard fruits, spice and fresh citrus.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Cool fermented in stainless steel tanks to enhance the pure fruit characteristics of the Chardonnay grape. Subtle French and American oak aging for added complexity.
BEST SERVED
Serve chilled at 10 to 12ºC to enhance the refreshing acidity and citrussy notes of this wine; or serve slightly warmer at 14 to 15ºC to allow for rich fruit development and a softer mouthfeel. Serve with pan seared scallops, smoked salmon risotto, butternut squash soup, and chicken pot pies.
WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATE WHISKY OAK AGED RED
750 mL | $19.95 | 13.5% ABV
VQA Niagara Peninsula
Full-bodied and structured 7.5 g/L Sugar
FLAVOUR PROFILE
Bright garnet in colour with a rich, warming bouquet of blue plum, black currant, sweet spice, oak, marzipan, and vanilla. This red blend has a medium to full-bodied structure with soft drying tannins and bold, fruit-forward flavours of juicy dark fruits, with an added note of sweet vanilla, cola and spicy oak.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
A classic blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Cabernet Franc, all harvested from vineyards within the Niagara Peninsula. The individual wines were aged for 6 months using American and French oak. A portion of the blend spent 2 months with additional French and American oak, and another 25% spent 1 month with ‘Red Cask Whisky’ oak.
BEST SERVED
Serve at a cool room temperature of 17 to 18°C. Serve with aged cheddar and gouda cheeses with walnut breads and seared red meats with rich red wine reductions.
WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES SIGNATURE
BACO NOIR
SERIES
750 mL | $31.95 | 12.0% ABV
VQA Ontario
Medium-bodied and fruit-forward
7.5 g/L Sugar
FLAVOUR PROFILE
Deep purple black in colour with a rich bouquet of blackberry coulis, Damson plum, sweet spice, sweet oak, vanilla bean, roasted beet, and smoke. This Baco Noir has a medium to full-bodied structure with smooth, silky tannins, food-friendly acidity, and bold flavours of blackberry, black cherry, and blue plum, sweet spice and vanilla on the palate.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The Baco Noir grapes were harvested from vineyards within the Niagara Peninsula. After traditional red wine making, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels and aged for six months. A small portion of the wine was transferred to our Red Cask Whisky barrels.
BEST SERVED
Serve at a cool room temperature of 17 to 18°C. Serve with aged cheddar and gouda, seared red meats with rich red wine reductions, grilled Portobello mushrooms with a drizzle of aged balsamic, and pot roast with roasted root vegetables.
FLAVOUR PROFILE
WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES CRAFTSMANSHIP SERIES
SIGNATURE RYE
750 mL | $49.95 | 50% ABV
100% Canadian Rye
Aging: 5 Years
Deep golden toffee hue. Natural coloring all coming from barrel maturation. Clove and baking spice shine through on the nose, while strong notes of fresh oak are driven from the virgin oak casks. Behind the oak, some nice notes of fresh lemongrass, stone fruit, and morning barnyard notes compliment the nose, along with some hints of forest floor and lightly cooked brown sugar.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
Our exquisite Signature Rye meticulously aged for 5 years to perfection. With a robust 50% ABV, this spirit boasts a harmonious marriage of flavours, thanks to its aging in both Virgin Oak and American Bourbon barrels. Savour the rich, complex notes of spice and oak in every sip. This Canadian Rye Whisky is a must have for discerning connoisseurs.
BEST SERVED
Neat, on the rocks, or as the base to your favourite whisky cocktail.
Gold Medal : The U.S. Open Spirits Competition 2024 Silver Medal : San Francisco World Spirits 2024
Autumn SAZERAC
2 oz Wayne Gretzky Craftsmanship Series Signature Rye
Using the provided ice cube tray, freeze 3/4 full with water for 2 hours. Place a piece of star anise on top of each cube, add a splash more water on top and continue to freeze. Add ingredients to a rocks glass and stir with a bar spoon, add anise ice cube and garnish with a lemon twist.
Serves 1
The Sazerac is a classic cocktail invented in New Orleans and is the cousin to the Old Fashioned. The star anise is to replace the absinthe that's traditionally in this cocktail. The Ginger Bitters will also give it some autumn flair.
September SIGNATURE RYE COCKTAIL
Holiday GIFTING INSPIRATION
Our eCommerce team thinks about gifting all year round, but especially during the holidays. To help make things easy for you during the busy season, we’ve asked them for their best holiday gifting advice.
Shop holiday gifting at our Niagara estates, on our websites; shop.peller.com, shop.triuswines.com, shop.waynegretzkyestates.com, shop.thirtybench.com, and thewineshops.com for delivery to your door.
KRYSTINA ROMAN
ECOMMERCE LEAD
What is your favourite wine to enjoy with friends and family over the holidays?
During the festive season, I love sharing the Wayne Gretzky Salted Caramel Cream Liquor with family and friends. Whether it’s at a family dinner, friend gathering, or at any time of day, that little sweet addition to coffee is like a warm hug. Makes the perfect cozy treat.
What will you be serving alongside your holiday meal this year?
During the holidays, traditionally one of our family meals is pescatarian. Ontario wines naturally pair so beautifully with the many European courses we serve. For red, my go-tos are Peller Gamay and Trius Red. For white wines, you can’t go wrong with our bestselling Wayne Gretzky Estates Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. These fresh whites balance heavy meals, pair easily with vegetable side dishes and all types of seafood.
What is a holiday tradition you always look forward to?
Surprising friends and family near and far. With the busy festive season, we can forget to take care of each other, and I love sending gifts of gratitude via gift cards or wine gift packs to surprise someone special. With our quick home delivery service, I can share some festive spirit across Canada.
What are your favourite gifting items from our collection in-store or online?
I love gifting the spirits and cream liquors from our Wayne Gretzky Estates online gift shop. These gift packs are already made with beautiful packaging and unique items that you can’t find elsewhere. There aren’t many places you can gift a wine bottle and whisky in one gift pack! There’s something for everyone.
enjoy using it to make espresso martinis for an after-dinner dessert.
My friends and I always have a girls’ cheese, charcuterie, and appetizer night around the holidays, and every year we always make sure there’s a bottle of Trius Sauvignon Blanc present. This wine pairs wonderfully with red pepper jelly and brie on a baguette, and gourmet chicken and Margherita pizzas.
What will you be serving alongside your holiday meal this year?
This year I will be serving the Trius Cabernet Sauvignon alongside dinner. My family loves having roast beef or prime rib over the holidays, and this wine pairs wonderfully with both of those. For those who prefer white (including myself) I will be serving the Wayne Gretzky Estates Pinot Grigio. This wine pairs wonderfully with turkey and cranberry sauce, as well as roasted chicken.
What is a holiday tradition you always look forward to?
A holiday tradition that I always look forward to is Christmas Eve lunch in Niagara-on-the-Lake. My family and I have lunch then grab coffee and teas and walk around the shops in Old Town. On the way home we stop at Peller or Trius to stock up on our favourites for the next couple of days.
What are your favourite gifting items from our collection in-store or online?
My favourite gifting items from our collection are the seasonal drink glasses. I loved the martini glasses that they had at all the Estates last year. They made for a great gift bundled with a bottle of cream liquor. The wine glasses with the winter scenery on them also made for a great gift to give with a bottle of your friends’ favourite wine. Online, one of my top picks this year will be the Wayne Gretzky Cocktail Kits from the Wayne Gretzky Estates gift shop. These kits come with the recipes included, so if you know any cocktail lovers, they make the perfect gift. With fast and free shipping for $149 and over, I will be ordering lots of gift sets this year. The holidays always seem to creep up on me, so ordering online helps save time.
NICHOLAS RENNIE
SALESFORCE MARKETING
What is your favourite wine to enjoy with friends and family over the holidays?
My favourite wine to enjoy with family and friends has got to be Wayne Gretzky Estates Whisky Oak Aged Chardonnay. My family is big on butternut squash & creamy mashed potatoes when it comes time to celebrate the holidays, so this is an approachable go-to wine for us.
What will you be serving alongside your holiday meal this year?
Other than the Whisky Oak Aged Chardonnay, we’ll be serving some Riesling this year. My better half’s family is from Trinidad, and no matter how out of place the pairing, homemade pepper sauce is always present. Thirty Bench Winemaker’s Blend Riesling is a nobrainer for us every year. Perfectly priced and so delicious with any level of spice, it’s always been a crowd-pleaser at our table.
What is a holiday tradition you always look forward to?
Personally, I always enjoy catching up with my dad and talking about life over a nightcap. This year, it’ll be over a dram of No.99 VSOP Brandy. I say ‘dram’ because we’re typically sharing some Islay Scotch, but I’ve been putting dad onto No.99 spirits for the last few years. He absolutely loved the Double Oaked Whisky, and I know the Brandy will pleasantly surprise him too.
What are your favourite gifting items from our collection in-store or online?
If I’ve hinted at anything, it’s likely that my family enjoys our spirits & in extension, cocktails. Might I recommend the cocktail kits available on our Wayne Gretzky Estates shop site? My personal favourite is our Signature Rye Highball kit. So easy and so good!
CARLEY THURSTON ECOMMERCE
OPERATIONS
What is your favourite wine to enjoy with friends and family over the holidays?
Over the holidays my family and I always enjoy Wayne Gretzky Salted Caramel Cream Liquor. This is a staple for Christmas morning, and I don’t think the holidays would feel the same without it. We love adding it to our morning coffee and sitting around the fire while opening presents in our pajamas. I also
Wine Country EXPERIENCES
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE WINERY RESTAURANT AT PELLER ESTATES
DECEMBER 31, 2024
Join us for a memorable dining experience at The Winery Restaurant, Peller Estates. Revel in an exquisite three-course choice menu. This special evening starts with a celebratory glass of our Signature Series Ice Cuvée sparkling wine upon arrival. Indulge in a culinary journey where each course is a masterpiece, expertly prepared to tantalize your taste buds.
NEW YEAR’S EVE BARREL CELLAR DINNER AT PELLER ESTATES
DECEMBER 31, 2024
The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. with a stylish welcome reception in the grand lobby. You’ll be seated in our elegant barrel cellar, where Executive Chef Jason Parsons and his culinary brigade will serve a sumptuous five-course dinner. Each dish is a masterpiece, expertly paired with our finest wines. Following dinner, join us for a postdinner reception in the lobby, where we’ll usher in the New Year with an Ice Cuvée countdown, and our signature Icewine Marshmallows. To complete your experience, reserve a guestroom at our neighbouring property Riverbend Inn & Vineyard.
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT TRIUS WINERY RESTAURANT
DECEMBER 31, 2024
Join us for a night filled with culinary excellence, fine wines, and the promise of a wonderful year ahead. Your New Year’s Eve celebration begins with a glass of our finest Brut to set the tone for an evening of indulgence followed by a carefully crafted three-course choice dinner. Dinner reservations begin at 4 p.m. with the last seating at 8 p.m.
NIAGARA ICEWINE FESTIVAL DISCOVERY PASS
WEEKENDS IN JANUARY 2025
Indulge in the region’s celebrated “liquid gold” dessert wine, famed for its intense flavors and unparalleled smoothness. Delight in six unforgettable seasonal tasting experiences at some of Niagara’s top wineries. Visit NiagaraWineFestival.com for more information.
COOL AS ICE GALA
JANUARY 2025 AT NIAGARA PARKS POWER STATION
Experience a delightful journey through a wide array of Niagara’s finest Icewines, perfectly paired with delectable culinary creations from the region’s top chefs. While you sip and savour these exquisite offerings, immerse yourself in the rich history of the Niagara Parks Power Station, including a fascinating 2,200-feet long tunnel leading directly to the breathtaking Niagara Falls. Visit NiagaraWineFestival.com for more information.
PELLER ESTATES CELEBRATION
OF ICEWINE DINNER
JANUARY 25, 2025
Join us for an enchanting evening at Peller Estates to celebrate Niagara Icewine. Your evening begins with an Ice Cuvée sparkling wine reception before we embark downstairs to our underground barrel cellar. Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure with a meticulously crafted five-course tasting menu in our underground barrel cellar. Each course is thoughtfully paired with a glass of Peller Estates wine, enhancing the flavors and aromas of every dish.
TRIUS WINERY ICEWINEMAKERS DINNER
JANUARY 18, 2025
Join us for our annual Icewine themed dinner in our underground Trius Red Barrel Cellar hosted by a member of our sommelier team. You will be greeted with a glass of Brut on arrival to prepare your palate for a delicious meal and be seated to enjoy a three-course meal prepared by Chef Frank Dodd and his culinary brigade, alongside wine pairings selected by our in-house sommeliers.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE ICEWINE VILLAGE
JANUARY 18, 19 AND 25, 26, 2025
Visit historic Queen St in Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake and enjoy samples of Peller Estates, Trius Winery, and Wayne Gretzky Estates Icewine. Enjoy food stations, live music, and more at this stunning street festival. Visit Wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com for more information.
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY
DISCOVER OUR NEW
VANILLA BEAN CREAM LIQUOR
SERVE ON THE ROCKS, IN A COCKTAIL OR ADD TO YOUR COFFEE
