Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration - i4C

08/03/2026

“I don’t think consumers are rejecting wine. I think they’re rejecting bullsh*t.”

Véronique Rivest did not ease gently into the 2026 School of Cool. Her keynote confronted the pressures facing wine and hospitality, then turned the conversation toward a more promising future built on authenticity, better storytelling and genuine human connection.

In a compelling recap, VineRoutes’ principal editor Carmelo Giardina, explores Rivest’s argument that Canadian wine no longer needs to prove its quality. The greater challenge now is to express its identity, welcome people into the conversation and tell stories that could come from nowhere else.

Read the full article. The link is below in the comments.

📷: Alina Zherdeva

08/03/2026

The photos from are beginning to arrive. First up - the noses!

A selection of panelists and “students” at the School of Cool on July 16.

📷: Alina Zherdeva

08/02/2026

Thank you, Sarah Neish, for capturing this pivotal conversation so thoughtfully, and to Christopher Waters for bringing such insight, perspective and infectious enthusiasm to the School of Cool.

We’re glad to see others recognizing the approaching "Nevermind" moment Chris described so evocatively. And we couldn’t agree more with his call to “drink it, celebrate it, and support it.”

Read more in "Is Canadian fizz nearing its 'Nirvana' moment?" from The Drinks Business. The link is in the comments below.

Christopher Waters Waters & Wine

07/31/2026

Proud to lead with Platinum in an exceptionally strong category.

Our Stratus Chardonnay, Unfiltered & Bottled With Lees 2024, earned a score of 94 points and one of the top honours at the 2026 National Wine Awards of Canada – a result that places our wine at the forefront of a much larger Canadian Chardonnay story.

“An ambitious wine made with purpose, I’d say.”
– John Szabo, MS

Chardonnay was the competition’s most-entered variety. Even more telling, one in every four Platinum medals went to a Chardonnay, according to WineAlign's report.

Coming on the heels of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration - i4C, it feels like an especially fitting moment to recognize that Canada’s most planted and most celebrated grape is having its moment. Across the country, Chardonnay is showing greater confidence, precision and sense of place. Canadian cool climate Chardonnay has come of age – confident in its identity and increasingly assured in its place on the world stage.

We are proud that Stratus Chardonnay stands among this year’s leaders while sharing the glow with the producers advancing Canadian Chardonnay, one vineyard and one vintage at a time.

07/30/2026

From still Chardonnay to Blanc de Blancs, the Canadian wineries of i4C 2026 earned 51 medals at the 2026 National Wine Awards.

Twenty-six wineries participating in earned two Platinum, 16 Gold, 15 Silver and 18 Bronze medals.

13th Street Winery, Bachelder Wines, Château des Charmes, Closson Chase Vineyards, Cloudsley Cellars, Divergence, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, Domaine Queylus Winery, Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery, Hidden Bench Estate Winery, Inniskillin Wines, Lailey Winery (Stonebridge). Leaning Post Wines, Magnotta Winery, Malivoire Wine, Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant, Perenelle, Quails' Gate, Rosehall Run Vineyards Stratus Vineyards, Tantalus Vineyards, Tawse Winery, Organized Crime Winery Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Volta and Westcott Vineyards.

There's a link to the full story in the comments below and the full list from WineAlign.

07/28/2026

07/28/2026

07/27/2026

Thrilled for Perenelle Wines!

Some news we’re incredibly proud to share: our 2024 Chardonnay has been awarded Gold at the 2026 National Wine Awards of Canada. 🥂

Selected from a field of 155 Canadian Chardonnays, it is one of just 22 wines to receive a Gold medal- meaningful recognition for this vintage and for the remarkable potential of the St. David’s Bench.

Grown here at Perenelle and made with care by Marty Werner, the 2024 Chardonnay reflects everything we value about this vineyard: generosity balanced by freshness, precision and a clear sense of place.

We’re deeply grateful to the WineAlign judges for this recognition, and to everyone who has supported our young winery. We can’t wait to share this bottle with you.

The 2024 Perenelle Chardonnay is available now through the link in our bio.