Robert Bell's
Wines of Canada
Since 1992
Wineries to Watch for in 2025
Eastern Canada
Featherstone Estate Winery
I have done my best to suggest what wineries to watch for regarding their wine production in 2025. You may have some suggestions of your own . Please sent me an e-mail if you do. The East ,of course, is a little harder to predict as I live in British Columbia where it is extremely difficult to find a wine from the East. The research for this project is a 365 day a year task. Numerous resources are used in selecting these wineries.
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13th Street Winery
1776 Fourth Ave
St. Catherines
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13th Street opened a new
production, hospitality and retail facility in the summer of 2009
on 4th Avenue in St. Catharines. Current production is 20,000 plus cases
total. In 2016 a new expanded tasting bar was built and additional production and warehouse facilities were added. Doug & Karen Whitty and John & June Mann are the owners, purchasing the winery in 2008
They were awarded Platinum at the 2022 National wine awards for Canada their 2020 Reserve Syrah
Awarded No 1 Winery in Ontario at the 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
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Bella Terra Vineyards.
925 Line 2 - R.R. 2
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
L0S 1J0
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The Puglisi Family were producers of wine in Italy before
Giuseppe Puglisi emigrated to Canada in 1965, he brought with him his passion for grape-growing and wine-making.
His son, Luciano (Lou), who has been passed the torch and now carries on the family tradition with the beautiful PondView Estate Winery.
Luciano and Adriana Puglisi are owners their son is the winemaker
In 2023 they changed their name to Bella Terra Vineyards;
Luciano (Lou), was crowned 2008 Grape King, a Ministry of Agriculture award for the finest vineyard operator in Ontario.
Their Icewine was voted Best Sweet Wine in North America by Decanter Asia.
Double Gold for Sparkling wine
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Black Bank Hill Winery
4247 Sann Rd
Beamsville, ON
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One of Ontario's newest wineries founded and owned by Taylor Emerson. Their first harvest was in 2020 with winemaker Jonathan McLean. Black Bank Hill is a craft winery in the Lincoln Lakeshore VQA of the Niagara wine region, dedicated to producing exceptional and distinctive wines made from grapes it has grown on its estate vineyard.
Keep your eye on this award winning winery in 2025.
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| Calamus Estate Winery
3100 Glen Rd,
Jordan Station, ON L0R
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This is one special winery.
Imaging sitting on their Bistro patio admiring their waterfall gardens and the Niagara country side.
Their mission is to provide a unique customer experience and they do just that.
Double Gold at the All Canadians.
Their growth in quality wine production in the last couple of years definity makes them a winery to watch for!
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Colio Estate Wines
1 Colio Drive
Harrow, ON
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Colio Estate Winery is proud to be one of Ontario’s first wineries. They have won over 500 awards around the Globe. hey have a great winemaker in Allison Christ.
The wineries future looks bright. You can call them the comeback winery of the year.
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Domaine l'Ange Gardien
6869, avenue Royale,
L'Ange-Gardien, Quebec
G0A 2K0
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The winery is located on the hills of L'Ange-Gardien, on beautiful Côte-de-Beaupré. Just a stone's throw from Quebec City, it is located on Royale avenue, which is also the "Route de la Nouvelle-France", and the "Marie-Hélène Prémont bicycle trail". The vineyard looks out onto Ile d'Orléans, and has a beautiful view on Quebec City to the west and the Mont Ste-Anne to the east.
Jean-Louis Crête is the winemaker. They have won several awards for their wines.
This would be our dark horse candidate
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Featherstone Estate Winery
3678 Victoria Ave.
Vineland, ON L0R 2C0
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Featherstone Estate Winery is owned by Rayla and George Myhal. This transformative purchase took place in February 2024, amidst the 25th Anniversary of the inception of Featherstone.
George brings 45 years of business experience from his time with Brookfield Asset Management as well as Windermere Investment Corp.
Rayla has 30 years of management, marketing and event experience and currently spends her time running the Myhal Family Foundation.
They have grand plans for the future of the winery and look forward to many years of collaboration with David and Louise as they move the winery into a new phase.
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Gaspereau Vineyards
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Gaspereau Vineyards
2239 White Rock Road
Gaspereau, NS B4P 2R1
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Situated in the beautiful Gaspereau Valley seven miles from Wolfville. Once an apple orchard the vineyard was planted in 1996 on the ideal south facing slope followed by a successful harvest in 1999. The winery opened in 2004
The amazing winemaker is Gina Haverstock; this years winner of the Karl Kaiser award.
Their Reserved Riesling received the Lieutenant Governor's award.
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Henry of Pelham
1469 Pelham Rd., RR #1
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7
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National Wine awards named them Ontario's top winery.
The winery began In 1984, when Paul Speck Sr. tore out the Concord and Niagara grapes, along
with each of us his three sons Matthew, Daniel and Paul. They planted Riesling and Chardonnay under newly
contoured hills and under drainage. The winery opened in 1988 using the former carriage house built by Henry of Pelham in 1842.
They have been producing some of Canad's best wines ever since.
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| Jost Vineyards
48 Vintage Lane
Malagash, NS B0K 1E0
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Jost Vineyards, situated on the northern shores of Nova Scotia, combines more than 300 years
of grape growing and wine making traditions with a long warm, frost free season.
Jost Vineyards history begins with Hans Wilhelm Jost and family in the Rhine region of Germany.
The Christinenhof was a successful family-run vineyard and cellar, highly praised for its wine quality.
The winemake r is the celebrated Gina Haverstock. her ability makes any winery one to Keep your eye on
Double Gold red blend
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L'Acadie Vineyards
310 Slayter Road
Gaspereau, NS
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The beautiful and warm Gaspereau Valley… the province’s first certified organic winery… every bottle of wine produced from 100% Nova Scotia grown grapes.
Owners Bruce Ewert and his wife Pauline Scott had this picture in their minds when they came back to Nova Scotia and started L’Acadie Vineyards in 2004. Organic since planting in 2006, they have the first certified organic winery and are industry leaders in encouraging and mentoring other vineyards and wineries to think and grow organically.
One of the Best Sparking wine producers in Canada
Their 2017 Prestige Brut Estate won Gold at Decanter World.
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Nyarai Cellars
4055 19 St
Jordan, Ontario, Canada
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Nyarai Cellars is a “Virtual” winery. The key here is the skill of the winemaker Steve Byfield. Steve has been producing wines under Nyarai Cellars since 2008
Watch for these fine wines.
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Vignoble Le Cep d'Argent
1257, Chemin de la Rivière
Magog Québec
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Brothers François and Jean-Paul Scieur are the owners of this Eastern Township winery. The 114-acre, 60,000-vine vineyard provides an exceptional view of Lake Magog.
Since the fall of 1993, the Fête des Vendanges du vignoble Le Cep d’Argent has been known as La Fête des Vendanges Magog-Orford. The Magog-Orford Grape Festival, as it’s called in English, was the first ever step towards celebrating the wine harvest in Quebec and it has now become a not-to-be-missed fixture in the yearly calendar.
Besides the sparkling wines which have made the vineyard a household name, the Cep d’Argent also offers a selection of red, white and rosé wines.
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Organized Crime
4043 Mountainview Road
Beamsville, ON
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A second-generation, family-owned, small boutique winery located on the renowned Beamsville Bench of the Niagara Peninsula. Our little parcel of south-facing land hangs over the hillside edges of the Bench, and provides an ideal environment for cool climate winegrowing.
They were awarded 14 medals at the 2024 National Wine Awards. Greg Yeman is the winemaker.
In a few short years, Yemen has taken his passion for creative winemaking and shaped a portfolio that makes Organized crime a winery to keep your eye on.
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Planters Ridge
1441 Church Street
Port Williams
Nova Scotia
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Planters Ridge Winery opened in 2013 after two successful harvests. The name Planters Ridge was selected to reflect the history of the land the winery is situated on. The land is part of the original New England Planters Land Grant from 1760, offered by the Lieutenant Governor after the Acadian expulsion.
2022 Chardonnay has won the prestigious 2024 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines.
A Double Gold at the All Canadians for their Sparkling wine.
Gold for the
L’Acadie
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Shale Ridge Estate
9090 Widder Road
Thedford, ON
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A family run winery producing grape wines and cider.
Named Canada's Cidery of the year in 2021
They recently welcome Gian Luca to the Shale Ridge family as our lead winemaker. Born and raised in Italy, Gian Luca brings with him a rich heritage and a passion for crafting exceptional wines.
2025 may be a huge year for them.
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Two Sisters Vineyards
The Grange Estate
990 Closson Road.
Hillier, ON K0K2J0
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The Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery is a family run business. The vineyards were established in 2002 by Robert Granger and his daughter
Caroline.
Caroline and Maggie Granger, also known as the "Granger Girls," are the mother-daughter duo behind The Grange of Prince Edward County. Caroline founded the winery in 2004, and Maggie joined her in 2010
Their Pinot Noir won double Gold at the All Canadians
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Three Dog Wine
1920 Fish Lake Road.
Picton, Ontario
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Located on one of the highest points of land in
beautiful Prince Edward County. The vineyard was planted in 1999.
Know for their Estate Pinot Noir
Their wines won numerous awards in 2024 including a double gold for their Sparkling wine. Keep your eye on winemaker Andrew Rytwinski
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Two Sisters Vineyards
240 John Street East
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
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The winery is owned by two sisters Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta between them they have seven children.
They have been named Best Performing Small winery. They continue to collect awards in numerous competitions.
Adam Pearce is the Head Winemaker Emily Royal is the assistant winemaker.
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Vieni
4553 Fly Road
Beamsville L0R 1B2
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Vieni means come or welcome in Italian. Vieni Wines opened in 2013 with 175 acres;
offering a range of whites, reds Icewines, and
Charmat Method sparkling wines. The founder and owner is Pasuale Raviele.
Their awards include a Double Gold At the San Francisco World, Double Gold at the New York Words and 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 4 Silver, 11 Bronze at the Nationals
It is indeed a winery to keep your eye on!
Mauro Salvador winemaker.
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Vignoble du Marathonien
318 Rte 202
Havelock Quebec
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Located in Havelock, near the U.S. border, the vineyard is located near Covey Hill Road, a hilly and enchanting area popular with cyclists and other hikers in Quebec. The 7000 vine plants aged between 15 and 20 years spread over an area of two hectares allow the vineyard to produce three white wines, two reds, a rosé, an ice wine and a late harvest wine each year
Since 1994, the Vignoble du Marathonien has been awarded more than 100 medals, including more than fifty Gold, Grand Gold and first prizes in various competitions such as:
- Vinalies Internationales, Paris, France
- International Wine & Spirit Competition, London, UK
- Decanter World Wine Competition , London, United Kingdom
- Atlanta Wine Summit, Atlanta, USA
- Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Finger Lakes, USA
- International Eastern Wine Competition, New York, USA
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| Watchful Eye
3903 Lakeshore Road
Beamsville ON
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One of Ontario newest wineries. Yet they have been growing grapes for fifteen years. Bill George a former chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario and Grape King switched from growing apples to planting a vineyard.
In 2023 their 2021 Chardonnay, chosen as the official white wine of the Ontario Legislature.
Awarded Double Gold for their Cabernet Franc Reserve
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| Wending Home Winery
3756 Ninth St
St Catherines Ontario
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The winery is owned by Huaying (Ying) Feng and Ron Giesbrecht a well known and respected winemaker. A new home is what partner Huaying Feng, along with her husband Jianneng Li, were searching for when they immigrated to Niagara from Guangzhou, a city in Guangdong province in China.
Feng and her husband left China for Canada to realize their dream of being farmers who can own their own land, which is not allowed in China. Li wanted his daughter Amy to have a happy childhood because he believes that children in China are made to study too hard, but that their creativity is limited. They feel that they now have a pleasant life here.
After first landing in B.C. in search of agricultural land in 2005, Feng decided the prices in that province were too steep, so the couple eventually moved east and found the perfect property on 9th Street in St. Catharines (between 13th Street and Creekside wineries) in 2018. The estate’s surrounding property was planted with grape vines dating back to the late 1990s by Joseph Zimmerman. Feng has since added to the plantings.
Wending Homes 2020 Chardonnay was just recognized once again! This time with a gold medal at the 2024 Chardonnay du Monde awards.
Double Gold for Pinot Noir at the All Canadians
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Cider /Mead
Grand Prè Wines
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Cidrerie Verger Lacroix
649 Chemin Principal
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac,
QC J0N 1M0, Canada
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It all began in 1879, when the Lacroix family settled on Lot 300, in the village of St Joseph du Lac, to grow apples! Five generations later, the company is booming, as its products are distributed throughout Quebec. It was at the turn of the 2000s that Lacroix began producing cider, as the Quebec industry became increasingly important. Initially by producing sparkling cider in barrels and then by diversifying the products. With more than 2000 points of sale in Quebec and several varieties of products offered, Cidrerie Lacroix is positioned as a leader in the cider industry in Quebec.
Awarded 2 Gold at the Word Cider Awards
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Clos Saragnat
100 chemin Richford
Frelighsburg - QC
Canada - J0J 1C0
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Louise Dupuis and Christian Barthomeuf established the Clos Saragnat winery in the spring of 2003. Covering some 35 hectares (86 acres) at an elevation of 220 meters (722 feet), the vineyard in an enviable location on the sunny southern slopes of Pinnacle Mountain, just 2 km (1.3 miles) from the US border (Vermont) and thus ideally situated along the 45th Parallel.
Christian was one of the modern pioneers of viticulture in Québec, planted the first vineyard in Dunham in 1970 and invented ice cider (also know as ice apple wine) in 1989.
Closed Saragnat is to cider, what Château Yquem is to wine" - L'Auvergnat de Paris - Jean-Michel Deshais
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Domaine Pinnacle
150 Richford Road
Frelighsburg, Quebec J0J 1C0
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One of the worlds best ice cider producers
Founded in 2000, Domaine Pinnacle is a family-owned and operated orchard and cidery located on a 430-acre property on the slopes of Pinnacle Mountain near the historic village of Frelighsburg in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.
Dedicated to creating the highest quality ice cider, all products are hand-crafted
entirely on the estate. Located on the 45th parallel, the same latitude as
the world's renowned wine-growing regions, the south-facing apple orchards
benefit from nearly ideal growing conditions. These growing conditions, combined
with the intensely cold winter conditions, create a unique combination that
makes the creation of Ice Cider possible!
Domaine Pinnacle is owned and operated by Susan and Charles Crawford, urban
refugees who now make the estate the full-time home for their family. The winemaker
is Christian Barthomeuf, the renowned and award-winning father and inventor
of ice cider.
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| Domaine Pryus
1500 Chemin Gaspe
Brigham, Quebec
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Little is know about this family business besides the fact they make excellent meads.
The owners are Charles Ouellette and Chanta Gouletl they bought a piece of land that was mainly used for hay. From 2015 to 2020, Charles planted the 1843 pear trees (10 varieties) in the orchard with the aim of making pear-based alcoholic beverages. In 2019, Chantal added a beekeeping component to the business to help pollinate the orchard.
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Grand Prè Wines
11611 Hwy 1 PO Box 105,
Grand Pré, NS B0P 1M0
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Hanspeter Stutz, owner and father, is a visionary who first took a leap of faith in 1994, trusting that something special could be established to grow the Nova Scotia wine industry.
Know for their wines Grand Prè Wines has won the Best Cider Award at the All Canadians.
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Miel Natural Inc
675 Chemin de Beauce
Beauharnois, Quebec
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The company acquired in 2000 by Elena and Ali Agougou has been in existence since 1980. It specialises in the production of cold-extracted honeys. The process consists of preserving honey in its natural state and safeguarding its enzymes (diastases) which play a very important role in the digestion of food.
Currently, the Miel Nature mead factory produces more than 89 honey-based products and manages an apiary with more than 800 hives.
They make 25 mead and 3 sparkling Meas, winning over 300 medals in total. What will they do in 2025?
Their Meads are amazing!!
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| Sarah Cole Cider
Vankleek, Ontario
Lachute, Québec
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Cider makers Nathalie Laurin and Pierre Bissonnette are the owner of Sarah Cole Cider that originated in Quebec. A few decades ago, Laurin and Bissonnette bought land in Saint-André-d’Argenteuil. They built a home on this land and, a few years ago, when looking for a change of pace in their professional lives, decided to let themselves be inspired by the old apple orchard that covered part of their land.
Sarah Cole offers ciders that are well balanced (not too sweet or too dry) t
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Honourable Mention
Alvento Winery -Ontario - Marc Pistor is an experienced winemaker and educator .
Broken Stone - Ontario - Gold for their Chardonnay
Cidrerie Compton Cidrerie Compton is a family business specializing in the production of organic cider aged in oak barrels. The company was born out of the owners' passion for organic farming and the world of cider.
Cox Creek Cellar Estate Winery-The winery is named after the creek running
through the property and traces its winemaking back 200 years into European history. Look for their cider.
Divergence Winemaker Jeff Moote has his own label.
Domaine
l'Ange Gardian , Quebec- the future looks bright
Featherstone Pinot Gris is Golden.
Georgian Hills Vineyards The cider
Fogolar Wines - Ontario - home of winemaker Marc Pistor
Island Honey Farm Prince Edward Island up and coming!
Gillis Of Belleisle one of those Dark Horses you need to watch
La Vallée de la Framboise Inc., QC awarded Best Fruit Wine of the year
Le Clos Jordanne’s Estate vineyard - Ontario- with Thomas Bachelder as the winemaker you have to keep an eye on this winery.
Muscedere Vineyards The Erine Shore vineyard has the potential
On Seven Winery - the new guy with a very experienced winemaker. NOTL
Richibucto River Wine Estate making New Brunswick proud.
Royal Canadian Mead - Making some very interesting meads
Sandbanks Estate Winery -founded by Catherine Langlois 1999 purchased by Arterra Wine Company Feb 2020
Shiny Apple Cider -Ontario- Double Gold at All Canadians
The Roost Wine Co. working to push the boundaries on cold climate winemaking.
Vignoble du Ruisseau -Quebec- good reviews for their wines
Vinerie DesFruits Winery the up coming New Brunswick fruit winery.
Westcott Vineyards - Ontario - watch for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Unexpected
Domaine Acer Quebec -Its all about Maple sap.
Domaine Ives Hill, Quebec - specializes in the cultivation and processing of blackcurrant.
Auk Island Winery Newfoundland - producers of 20 wines including Jellybean Row and Krooked Cod
Muskoka Lakes Winery, Ontario - was launched with the 2000 vintage of Cranberry Wine
Joli Rouge Cidre from Quebec out of no where they win Gold Worlds Cider Awards
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Welcome to Robert Bell's Winesofcanada.com ! This is a personal website. We do not represent the wine industry or any aspect of the Canadian Government. We have been promoting Canada's wines and wineries since 1992. We do not sell or purchase any products. Please enjoy the website. Your comments are welcome.
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