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Jake Skakun

Canadian Wine blog

Writing on Canadian Wine by the MWC team Kurtis Kolt (BC), Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson (MB) Jake Skakun (ON), Michelle Bouffard (QB) and various national guest contributors.

Jake Skakun

Top Wine Picks! Casa Dea Estates Winery

Casa Dea Estates Winery has been growing vines in Prince Edward County since 2000. Domenic Di Pietrantonio's 65 acres of vineyards in the County's famed clay limestone soil are two kilometers from the shore of Lake Ontario and its moderating effects. The winery and tasting room reflect the region's history in Loyalist-era architecture, and have become a popular wedding destination.

Winemaker Paul Battilana's focus is on a collection of grapes that do very well in Prince Edward County: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Along with still wines, they are also making sparkling wines and appassimento-style wine, including Eva, made with dried Chardonnay grapes.

This week Casa Dea is offering free shipping on any 6 or more bottles. Let's put together a Tasting Pack from their current offerings:

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Published on March 20, 2017 by Jake Skakun
Top Wine Picks! Traynor Family Vineyard

Mike and Rebecca Traynor, the folks behind Traynor Family Vineyard, purchased the Prince Edward County property in 2008. They turned a cornfield into a vineyard of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as hybrid varieties Frontenac Gris and Marquette. Mike has a history with wine: working in retail shops and completing sommelier and winemaking courses before landing a gig as operations manager at Huff Estates. Later, he became the winemaker and general manager of Oak Heights. The first Traynor Family Vineyard harvest was in 2013.

This week My Wine Canada is featuring Traynor Family Vineyard by offering free shipping on six or more bottles (feel free to mix and match).

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Published on February 21, 2017 by Jake Skakun
Top Wine Picks! Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Summerhill Pyramid Winery is an unforgettable stop on the Okanagan wine trail. If it wasn’t for the giant floating wine bottle tilting toward a giant glass, you might think you were stepping onto the grounds of a spiritual retreat with an especially stunning view of Okanagan Lake. Founder Stephen Cipes’ dedication to the environment carries through to his grape growing and winemaking philosophies, including a biodynamic certification for the winery's Kelowna vineyard. Summerhill’s commitment to producing only organic wine has spurred the winery’s long-term growers into converting to organic farming. Stephen Cipes is also at the helm of an initiative to transition the entire Okanagan Valley to organic farming. As a shipping special for Valentine’s Day, the winery is offering free shipping when you buy 6 or more bottles (you’re free to mix and match). Below are a few of my top wine picks from Summerhill. Continue reading →

Published on January 30, 2017 by Jake Skakun
Merry Christmas!

We can't believe that Christmas is only hours away! We're getting caught up in the anticipation of big dinners with all the fixin's, family, and plenty of tasty beverages to see us through it all. Another year is coming to a close, and we're excited for new developments in 2017.

We wanted to say a very special thank you for your support of our business and Canadian wine. This year, we saw more Canadians than ever get passionate about the fantastic wines that we make in this country - we saw this passion in the great wine questions you asked us and the wines that you selected - and we remain deeply honoured to be your go-to online wine store. Continue reading →

Published on December 23, 2016 by Jackie McLachlan
Wine Club Spotlight: Aure Wines

This month's featured winery for the Wine Club packages is Aure Wines in Niagara, Ontario. In preparation for December's Wine of the Month Club, I had the chance to sit down and taste through the line up from Aure. Read on for my tasting notes on a few of the wines that wine club recipients will be receiving this month. Gift givers alert! Subscribe your lucky recipients to the wine club by TODAY to ensure that they receive their wines by Christmas. Continue reading →

Published on December 14, 2016 by Jake Skakun
Pair It Up! Quidni's Wines with Bourdain's Appetites

Quidni Estate Winery is one of the newest faces on Naramata Bench, launching in 2014. Quidni, which means 'why not' in Latin, is the maxim the new owners adopted before taking the plunge into the world of wine. A beautiful property on Naramata Road, also home to their popular B & B, Quidni was previously 3 Mile Estate Winery. The new owners brought on Robert Thielicke, a winemaker who has valuable history with the Naramata Bench—he spent years working with Kettle Valley Winery and Joie Farm Winery. This week Quidni is offering free shipping on 12+ bottles or 50% off shipping on 6 bottles, and you can mix it up however you would like. Continue reading →

Published on November 7, 2016 by Jake Skakun
Pair It Up! Thornhaven Wines With Pasta Recipes

There's something about fall that gives me a serious craving for pasta. Hearty, savoury flavours; squashes, mushrooms, braises and ragus, all mixed in with perfectly cooked noodles. This week (and my pasta craving) coincides with My Wine Canada's free shipping offer on 12 or more bottles, or 50% off shipping on 6 bottles from Thornhaven Estates Winery, the Summerland winery with a stunning view above Okanagan Lake. Thornhaven's wines have been among my go-to Okanagan value picks for over a decade. This is a perfect time to dig up some pasta recipes and find a few great pairings to send right to your door. Continue reading →

Published on October 25, 2016 by Jake Skakun
Diamond Estates Wines With Autumn Food Pairings

As the weather cools off and it becomes comfortable to cook again, The Guardian has compiled their 20 best autumn recipes. You'll find dishes from celebrity chefs including Nigella Lawson, Fergus Henderson, Rick Stein, and Nigel Slater. This week has also aligned with a free shipping offer from Diamond Estates (which includes Niagara wineries Lakeview Cellars, Seasons Wines, and Dan Aykroyd Wines) when you order 6 or more bottles in any combination. I've picked recipes that I'm most excited to cook this fall and suggested some wine pairings from Diamond Estates. Continue reading →

Published on October 4, 2016 by Jake Skakun