FreshFest brings you opportunity to sample a fine and diverse selection of wines from both Elgin County and a little further afield. Don't forget to try our own local craft beer too.  This is your chance to sip, savour and discover your favourite wine or beer and food pairings.

Quai du Vin Estate Winery

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Quai du Vin, set on a ridge just north of Lake Erie is not only a source for fine wines, but a popular entertainment venue on several weekends of the summer. With vineyards first planted in 1970, Redi and Roberto Quai drew on their European heritage to establish this scenic country estate. Roberto and his wife, Lisa, opened the doors of the winery in 1990 and welcome you to experience the flavours and bounty of Lake Erie's pastoral north shore. The retail store offers a complete selection of their fine wines and wine-related products.  The vineyard is a scenic, sought-after venue for weddings. You are invited to tour the grounds, or stop in for a tour of the vineyards and wine operation (tours are on demand but based on availability of staff). Check out the website for upcoming events.  

45811 Fruit Ridge, St. Thomas
519.775.2216
www.quaiduvin.com
Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, noon – 5pm

Rush Creek Wines

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Rush Creek Wines captures the essence of summer in wines produced from local fruit, much of it from their own farm. Before they started the winery, owners Wendy and Kim Flintoft believed that, with beautiful orchards, a location close to the north shore of Lake Erie, and a love of wines, they had a unique opportunity to create the finest 100% fruit wines. Production in small batches allows them to give each offering the extra personal attention that shows in the quality of the final product.   A complimentary tasting bar, bruschetta bar, tours and outdoor licensed BBQ are  available at the winery. The Flintofts were recipients in June 2011 of a Premier's Award for Innovation Excellence.

48995 Jamestown Line, south of Aylmer off Hwy 73
519.773.5432
www.rushcreekwines.com
Monday – Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Sunday, noon – 5pm

Railway City Brewing Co.

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St. Thomas’s small but might brewery continues to wow beer lovers and win awards. Railway City was awarded the Gold for their Iron Spike Amber and a People’s Choice for their Iron Spike Copper Ale at the Ontario Brewing Awards in May 2011. Dead Elephant Ale was also chosen as one of the beers to be served for the dining room and catered receptions at Queen’s Park for the 2011-12 year. The company brews five distinct brands of premium craft beer: Iron Spike (Blonde, Copper & Amber), Dead Elephant Ale and its newest Roundhouse Pilsner. It also brews monthly specialty brews featuring local ingredients. Railway City Brewing Company's beer are available at many local bars and restaurants as well as over 65 LCBO stores throughout Ontario. The brewery features an on-site retail store along with tours and samples.

168 Curtis St, St. Thomas
519.631.1881
www.railwaycitybrewing.com
Mon – Wed, 10am – 5pm; Thur – Fri, 10am – 7pm; Sat, 10am – 6pm; Sun, noon – 4pm

Smith & Wilson Estate Wines

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Smith & Wilson Estate Wines is located in the middle of the Lake Erie North Shore wine region.  They have been producing and supplying grapes to wineries for over 25 years. In 2005, they opened their own winery. With vines growing on a gently sloping gravel ridge that falls to meet the north shore of Lake Erie and with sandy loam over a limestone lakebed base conditions are perfect to produce vintages of exceptional quality. In 2006 Smith & Wilson released their Viognier, a smooth, easy-drinking variety reminiscent of summer peaches. Located at Smith & Wilson Estate Wines “The Old Warehouse” is a hospitality space devoted to special events, corporate functions, catered business lunches, wine and cheese receptions, informative wine tastings and seminars, tours of the farm and winery.

8368 Water Street, RR1 Blenheim, Ontario
519.676.5867, 1.888.676.5867
http://www.smithandwilsonestates.ca/
Winery retail shop is open:
Tuesday through Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Sunday, noon – 4pm
Monday, by chance or appointment

Black Fly Premium Vodka & Tequila Beverages 

Black Fly Beverage Company is Ontario's first Micro-Distillery founded by husband and wife Rob Kelly and Cathy Siskind-Kelly in May 2005. Having spent the summers of his youth in Muskoka, Northern Ontario, Rob drew the name Black Fly from the reputation of the small but determined Canadian insect that like this micro-business can come in under the radar but deliver a mighty bite. The pure wild blueberry juice used in two of our vodka mixed drinks Vodka Cranberry and Vodka Blueberry also goes to the Black Fly name, as the black fly pollinates wild blueberries.

Originally housed in an historic bank building in the heart of downtown London, Black Fly Beverage Company moved it's operations in May of 2008 to a state-of-the-art production facility located in the city's leading industrial quarter. Today Black Fly continues its tradition of developing and producing ultra premium spirit beverages for Canadian markets . . . and beyond.

535 Sovereign Road, London, Ontario
519-667-1555
www.blackflybooze.com
Black Fly Beverages are available at LCBO locations.