myWineLife Winter 2026

GINGER BEER CASK RYE DISCOVER OUR NEW CRAFTSMANSHIP SERIES

Our 4th Craftsmanship Series release, Ginger Beer Cask Rye, is crafted from 100% rye grain that was aged for 7 years and finished in fermented Ginger Beer casks for 12 weeks. This infused limited edition whisky has a delightful twist of ginger that enhances the natural complexity of the rye.

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

Editor

Riley McGilvray

Wine Club

Mark Vaiana

Leona Nicoletti

Janet Roper

Contributors

Carley Thurston

Courtney Henderson

Dana Del Fabbro

Dave Larocque

Eli Siegle

Frank Dodd

Haley Strong

Jason Parsons

Madison Vine

Mark Torrance

Matthew Boekestyn

Maurice Desharnais

Mike Harrison

Tim Coons

Photographer & Food Stylist

Nataschia Wielink

Carolee Krause

Graphic Designer

Mari-Lynne Eastland

For general inquiries about myWineLife magazine or information about products please contact our Wine Club team at 1.866.440.4383

For advertising inquiries in myWineLife magazine, please email communication@ peller.com

myWineLife is published four times a year by Andrew Peller Limited.

To view the magazine archive, visit issuu.com/mywinecountry

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Riverbend Inn & Vineyard

Members can enjoy special pricing on overnight stays Sunday through Thursday, year-round. Join us at Oaklands for Breakfast daily 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Lunch and dinner are offered from May to September. Visit riverbendinn.ca for more details.

Tag us in your photos and stories using the handles listed below with the hashtag #mywinelife.

Italian FEAST

WINE PAIRINGS ON PAGES 12-15

Spaghetti, Smoked Bacon, Zucchini and Sweet Pea Carbonara

Chef Frank Dodd, Trius Winery

recipe page 12

Spinach, Mushroom and Ricotta Frittata

Chef Frank Dodd, Trius Winery

recipe page 13

Steak and Cheese Stomboli

Chef Matthew Boekestyn, Wayne Gretzky Estates

recipe page 13

Smoked Salmon and Arugula Pizza with Black Garlic Aioli

Chef Michael Harrison, Peller Estates

recipe page 14

Insalata Di Mare

Chef Matthew Boekestyn, Wayne Gretzky Estates

recipe page 14

Wild Boar Al Forno

Chef Jason Parsons, Riverbend Inn

recipe page 15

OMGOssoBuco

Your January WINE ALLOCATION

Peller Estates

Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

750 mL | 12.8% ABV

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

Medium-bodied & structured Dry, 2.1 g/L

Flavour Profile

Deep purple garnet with a warming bouquet of ripe black currant, smoky oak, vanilla, cedar chest, and Chai spice. This Cabernet has soft drying tannins and classic notes of juicy ripe dark fruits and sweet spices. Blackberry, black tea, cocoa powder, and spicy oak notes linger on the dry finish.

Winemaker’s Notes

Harvested from our long-standing growers within the Regional Appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The juice is fermented with the skins for 14 days to develop colour, flavour and structure. Aged for 12 months in 60% French oak and 40% American oak barrels with full malolactic fermentation.

Best Served

Serve at a cool room temperature of 16 to 18ºC. Fabulous with grilled medium-rare red meats, beef tenderloin with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and lamb chops.

Wayne Gretzky Estates

Founders Series

Pinot Grigio

750 mL | 12.0% ABV

VQA Ontario

Light-bodied & refreshing Dry, 5.5 g/L

Flavour Profile

Clear and bright with a fresh aroma of yellow apple, Bartlett pear, white peach, and summer flowers. This dry white wine has lovely flavours of orchard and tropical fruits and refreshing notes of lemon, citrus zest, and spice that linger on the finish.

Winemaker’s Notes

Harvested from vineyards within the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes receive a gentle pressing, then cool fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks to enhance the pure fruit characteristics.

Best Served

Serve chilled at 10 to 12ºC to enhance the refreshing acidity. Serve with hummus and pita chips, shrimp, cold pasta salads, pan-fried fish, roasted chicken, grilled pork chops. Drink young and fresh.

Trius

Distinction

Sauvignon Blanc

750 mL | 12.7% ABV

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

Medium-bodied & refreshing Dry, 2.2 g/L

Flavour Profile

Clear and bright with a fresh aroma of gooseberry, grapefruit, golden kiwi, and lemon. Refreshing flavours of citrus, honeydew melon, and white currant dance on the palate. As the wine warms, look for notes of passion fruit and peach to develop. Refreshing notes of tangy white and yellow fruits and a hint of lemongrass linger on the finish.

Winemaker’s Notes

Our Distinction Sauvignon Blanc is harvested from sustainable certified vineyards within the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation. After a gentle pressing, 70% of the juice was cool fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for freshness. 30% of the juice is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for added complexity and structure. After six months of aging the wines were blended and bottled.

Best Served

Serve at a cool 10 to 12ºC. Fabulous spring and summer refresher. Enjoy anytime of the year with seafood, summer gazpacho, goat cheese appetizers, steamed asparagus, lemon chicken, pesto or light herbed cream sauces on pasta. Drink while young and fresh.

Loved it & NEED MORE?

We can deliver more of your favourites right to your door. Call the Wine Club team at 1.866.440.4383 to re-order, and remember, members always get FREE DELIVERY on any additional 6+ bottles.

Peller Estates

Private Reserve

Baco Noir

750 mL | 12.5% ABV

VQA Ontario

Medium-bodied & fruit-forward Dry, 8.0 g/L

Flavour Profile

Deep purple garnet with a lovely bouquet of Damson plum, black cherry, blackberry, sweet spice, beetroot, violet and oak. This medium to full-bodied wine has silky tannins and food-friendly acidity. Flavours of juicy dark fruits, sweet spice, and savoury mushroom linger on the dry finish.

Winemaker’s Notes

Harvested from Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Certified vineyards of long-standing growers for Peller Estates. The juice fermented on skins for 14 days to develop colour, flavour and structure and then was aged for 6 months using 50% French and 50% American oak with a full malolactic fermentation.

Best Served

Serve at a cool room temperature of 15 to 17ºC. Enjoy with fully dressed grilled burgers, grilled red pepper, eggplant, and mushroom skewers, rich beef or mushroom stews, Teriyaki chicken or beef, barbecued steaks and roasted beets. Enjoy while young and fresh or cellar through 2027.

Thirty Bench

Winemaker’s Blend Red

750 mL | 13.1% ABV

VQA Niagara Peninsula

Full-bodied & structured Dry, 1.6 g/L

Flavour Profile

Bright garnet with an aromatic bouquet of smoky oak, leather, earth, black pepper, spice, and black currant. Ripe black fruits mingle with sweet spice and charred oak on the palate. Lingering notes of black tea, cocoa powder, spicy oak, blackberry, black currant, and a hint of coffee bean linger on the dry finish.

Winemaker’s Notes

Harvested from our vineyard on the Beamsville Bench and from a longstanding grower, Losani Vineyard. This blend is 61.8% Cabernet Franc, 23.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14.6% Merlot. Each varietal separately undergoes two weeks of skin contact. Barrel aged in 60% French and 40% American oak for one year with full malolactic fermentation. Each varietal is tasted separately before the final assemblage is created.

Best Served

Serve at a cool room temperature of 16 to 18˚C. A dinner wine for grilled red meats prepared medium-rare to rare, rich beef stews, leg of lamb, and grilled game meats. This wine is best enjoyed now through 2032. Decanting is recommended if drinking through 2026.

Peller Estates

Signature Series Vidal Icewine

200 mL | 11.0% ABV

VQA Ontario

Sweet & balanced

Sweet, 180 g/L

Flavour Profile

Bright yellow gold with a fresh aroma of white peach, yellow apple, Asian pear, and golden kiwi. An exceptionally well-balanced Icewine exhibiting a burst of fruit flavour, bracing acidity and the perfect amount of sweetness. Fruit flavours of juicy tropical and orchard fruits excite the palate and notes of honey linger on the long finish.

Winemaker’s Notes

Our Icewine is made from naturally frozen Vidal grapes harvested from Niagara Peninsula vineyards at -10°C. The grapes are pressed frozen, releasing only one drop of pure extract from each grape. Fermentation is performed at a cool temperature of 15ºC to preserve pure fruit expression and freshness, then aged in stainless steel.

Best Served

Serve chilled at 8 - 10°C in small white wine glasses, 1 to 2 oz per person. Enjoy before a meal, chilled with your favourite vodka for an Icewine Martini. Enjoy with rich pâté, Indian curry dishes and spicy Asian cuisine, aged and creamy cheeses, fruit-based desserts or crème brûlée. Best enjoyed now through 2031.

Death of a BARTENDER

Join our mixology team in the Club Lounge for a sophisticated cocktail experience: The Death of a Bartender.

Your menu is delivered in a box with each cocktail described on an individual character card. The cocktails are delivered to your table garnished with a clue to help you solve the mystery of ‘The Death of a Bartender’. The six characters are the only suspects in this crime and if you guess correctly, you’ll win a prize.

Can you solve the clues?

HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA

Just got better

Every Saturday evening, the Club Lounge at Wayne Gretzky Estates will be open to the public to enjoy our menu of cocktails, VQA wine-by-theglass, and delicious bites as we tune in to watch the Leafs play.

Wine Club Members joining us will enjoy a complimentary glass of our Sparkling Brut.

CLUB LOUNGE TEAM LEFT TO RIGHT

Alex Archer | ESTATE MIXOLOGIST

Dealya Coon | ASSISTANT HOSPITALITY MANAGER

Kyle Childerley | MIXOLOGIST TEAM LEAD

HOURS

Friday to Sunday 12pm - 6pm

Rigatoni Calabrese

CHEF

MICHAEL HARRISON, PELLER ESTATES

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

1 can tomatoes, peeled and chopped

1 white onion, julienned

3-4 garlic cloves

1 bunch basil

¼ cup olive oil

1 box dried rigatoni

3-4 spicy Italian sausage, cut into coins

1 can roasted red peppers, julienned

1 red onion, julienned

1 cup mixed mushrooms, chopped

1 tsp olive oil

½ cup

Peller Rosé

shaved parmesan

handful chopped parsley and basil

1 tbsp chili flakes

salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

You can substitute the home-made tomato sauce with a pasta sauce of your choice. Add olive oil to a large pot over medium heat, drop in the onion, stirring to prevent sticking. Once softened, add in the garlic cloves and cook for 3-5 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. The sauce should have a slight sweetness to it and not have any can flavor. Add in the handful of basil, a dash more olive oil, and blend with a hand blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat, add in the rigatoni and cook according to the box instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta, setting some of the cooking water aside. Coat the pasta with olive oil to prevent it sticking together.

In a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil and sausage coins. Flip and stir the sausage to brown on all sides, once browned add in the onions and mushrooms, cook until soft. Add in the garlic and stir. Deglaze with the rosé wine, reduce by half and add to the tomato sauce. Stir to combine and simmer to let the flavors mingle. Add in the rigatoni and stir. If it looks like it needs more sauce add the reserved pasta water. Ladle into bowls and serve with shaved parmesan and chopped herbs. If you want it spicier, add in the chili flakes.

—

Peller Estates Signature Series Estate Red

Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Grigio

Spaghetti, Smoked Bacon, Zucchini and Sweet Pea Carbonara

CHEF FRANK TODD, TRIUS WINERY

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

1¼ cups fresh parmesan, grated

1 cup crème fraiche

2 zucchinis, julienned

1 egg

3 egg yolks

½ cup frozen peas

1 lb whole wheat spaghetti

¾ cup smoked bacon lardons

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped handful chives, chopped kosher salt and fresh milled black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Place a medium pot of water on high heat. When the water boils add a good pinch of salt. Mix the cheese, egg, yolks and crème fraiche in a bowl with ground pepper. Using a vegetable peeler slice the zucchini into ribbons. Then slice the ribbons lengthwise into spaghetti strips. Fry the bacon and garlic in a non-stick pan for several minutes until the bacon is crispy. Remove to a plate with kitchen paper to drain.

Cook the spaghetti in boiling water to desired doneness. Add the peas in the last few minutes of cooking time and bring back to the boil. When the pasta and peas are done, drain and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water. Return pasta and peas back to pot, add bacon and garlic. Fold in the cheese mixture and zucchini spaghetti. Mix well and slowly add the reserved pasta water so that the sauce is smooth and glossy and coats the hot pasta. Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately topped with parmesan and chives.

Trius Sauvignon Blanc

Trius Distinction Gamay Noir

Spinach, Mushroom and Ricotta Frittata

CHEF FRANK TODD, TRIUS WINERY

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

8 large eggs

¾ cup mozzarella, shredded

⅓ cup heavy cream

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 shallot, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2½ cups cremini mushrooms, sliced

3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

½ cup fresh ricotta

pinch of red pepper flakes

freshly ground black pepper

kosher salt

2 cups arugula

½ fennel, shaved balsamic drizzle

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, mozzarella, and cream. Season with salt, black pepper, and pepper flakes. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, shallot and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallot is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add spinach, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Pour egg mixture into pan over vegetables. Dollop with ricotta. Bake frittata until eggs are just set and edges are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Toss together arugula and fennel with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Place salad on top of Frittata and serve.

—

Steak and Cheese Stomboli

CHEF MATTHEW BOEKESTYN, WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

8 oz pizza dough

10 oz flank steak

½ cup herb pesto

8 slices provolone

1 large red pepper, sliced

1 large red onion, sliced

1 tbsp melted butter

1 tbsp vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

Pre-heat oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to a 15” x 12” rectangle. If the dough isn’t cooperating let it rest for 10 minutes. Lay the rectangle dough on a baking sheet.

In a frying pan set to medium heat, sear your steak seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper. Once steak forms a good crust, remove from the pan and sauté the pepper and onions. Slice the flank steak against the grain. Spread the pesto over the pizza dough, leaving a 2” border around the edges. Add half the sauteed veggies and half the sliced steak and top with the provolone. Add the other halves to the top layer. With the long end of the dough facing you, roll the dough tightly into a long spiral and fold the ends in as you go. Once rolled, brush with the melted butter. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

—

Wayne Gretzky Estates Cabernet Merlot

Wayne Gretzky Estates Rosé

Smoked Salmon and Arugula Pizza with Black Garlic Aioli

CHEF

MICHAEL HARRISON, PELLER

ESTATES

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

DOUGH

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup warm water

1 tbsp sugar

1 pkg instant yeast (or 8g) salt and pepper

SAUCE

1L 35% cream

2-3 shallots, julienned

1 cup Peller Chardonnay

BLACK GARLIC AIOLI

½ cup black garlic

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp lemon juice

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil salt and pepper

ASSEMBLY

2 cups baby arugula

½ cup lemon, zest and juice olive oil

½ pkg smoked salmon

1 cup mozzarella, shredded salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

To make the dough, add the yeast to the warm water and sugar and set aside to bloom. Put the heavy cream in a pot over medium heat. Add the julienned shallot and Peller Chardonnay and reduce until thickened. Once reduced, remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Once the yeast has bloomed, mix in the flour and begin to knead. You may need a bit more flour to prevent sticking to the table. Knead until a smooth ball is formed. Place in an oiled bowl and cover, allow to double in size.

In a food processor or blender, combine the black garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice and the extra virgin olive oil. Blend on high until smooth, season with salt and pepper, set aside.

Pre-heat your oven to 400°F. Spread olive oil onto a baking sheet and then place the risen dough in the middle, using your hands work the dough and spread it to the edges, pinch and push the dough into the corner on the tray to make the crust. Spread the cooled cream sauce on the surface of the pizza layer the sliced smoked salmon onto the pizza with the lemon zest and a layer of mozzarella. Place in the oven and cook at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes until the dough is cooked and it has reached your level of doneness. Remove the pizza from the oven. In a bowl toss the arugula with lemon juice and olive oil and place on top of the pizza. Dress with the black garlic aioli and serve.

—

Peller Estates Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

Peller Estates Signature Series Ice Cuveé

Insalata Di Mare

CHEF JASON PARSONS, RIVERBEND INN

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

1 lb calamari, gutted and cleaned

1 lb cooked crab meat (or imitation crab)

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup lemon juice

1 tbsp garlic, minced

½ cup parsley, chopped

1 cup carrot, shredded

1 cup celery, chopped

1 cup red pepper, julienned

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup red wine vinegar

½ tsp chile flakes

2 stalks celery, rough chopped

1 onion, rough chopped

1 carrot, rough chopped

3-4 bay leaves

1 tsp black peppercorns

½ bottle Chardonnay or lefover Prosecco salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Add the cleaned calamari to a large pot. It should come pre-cleaned, but pull the tentacles off and check for a beak by squeezing where the tentacles meet it will pop out, check inside the tube for the “Feather”, it will feel like plastic. Add the rough chopped vegetables, spices, and wine to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes to an hour. Test the calamari with a paring knife, if the knife easily pierces the calamari, it is done. Remove the calamari from the pot and chill. Return the pot to a boil and pour over top of the raw shrimp. Stir the shrimp to ensure all sides cook and then cover with cling film. Wait about 10-15 minutes and stir again, the shrimp should be poached. Chill this mixture.

Make the dressing by combining the lemon juice, vinegar olive oil, chili flakes and garlic, whisk to combine. Set aside. Break apart the crab with your hands into a large bowl. Slice the chilled calamari into rings about an 1/8”. Take the tails off the shrimp and chop them. Mix the seafood with the vegetables that remain, pour the dressing on top and mix to combine. If there is not enough dressing, add the juice of another lemon and a glug or two of olive oil. Serve on a large platter with some light greens like arugula.

—

Thirty Bench Sparkling Riesling

Thirty Bench Small Lot Chardonnay

Wild Boar Al Forno

CHEF JASON PARSONS, RIVERBEND INN

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

1 box dried penne

1 lb ground wild boar (or pork)

1 white onion, diced

1 large carrot, diced

4-5 stalks celery, diced

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 can cherry tomatoes

5-6 garlic cloves, minced

1 eggplant, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

2 bay leaves

½ bottle Italian wine (Barolo or Valpolicella)

375g Fiore de latte

1 cup panko bread crumbs

1 cup parmesan, grated

1 bunch basil, chopped extra virgin olive oil salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a pot over medium heat, add the sugar and a tablespoon or two of water to help

melt it down. As it is melting do not stir it or it can crystalize. Once melted, cook until it begins to caramelize and turn brown then add in the blueberries and Icewine. Cook until the blueberries break down and begin to reduce, stir once in a while to prevent sticking or scorching. Once it has thickened and reduced, add in the strawberries and cook a little more to break down the strawberries but not totally. Remove from heat and add in the lemon juice to give it a bit of acidity and allow to cool, it should have a jammy consistency. This can be made ahead of time, store in jars or freezer proof containers.

In a shallow bowl or pan add all the spices, syrup, moleasses, eggs and milk and whisk to combine. Heat a pan over medium heat. While waiting for it to heat up, dip your bread into the egg mixture and briefly allow to soak. Place a few knobs of butter into the pan and allow to melt, once melted and foamy lift your toast from the mix and place into the pan and allow to cook until lightly browned, flip and do the same to the other side. Remove from the pan and set aside while you cook the rest of the bread. Serve with maple syrup, Icewine berry compote, salted butter and whipped cream.

—

Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc

Thirty Bench Winemaker’s Blend Red

OMG Osso Buco

CHEF MATTHEW BOEKESTYN, WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

6 pieces veal shanks

1 cup beef stock

3 cups tomato sauce

½ lb angel hair pasta

1 cup red wine (a Baco or Pinot)

¼ cup grapeseed oil

1 tsp paprika

2 tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp kosher salt

2 tsp ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 300°F. In a thick heavybottomed pot over medium heat, add oil. Pat the veal shanks dry and coat both sides with the seasoning mix of the paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add minced garlic to the pan and stir until it becomes aromatic, then add the veal shanks. Give each shank a hard sear on all sides until they have a golden-brown crust.

Once veal is seared, move to a Dutch oven. Evenly space out the veal shanks and add the beef stock, tomato sauce, and red wine. Seal with a lid or tin foil and place in the oven. Allow to cook for 2.5 hours, or 3 if the shanks are bigger. Once the veal is done, boil a pot of water for the pasta. Cook pasta al dente. Place the pasta on a plate and top with a shank, cover with the cooking sauce.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Wayne Gretzky Estates Chardonnay

Discover Trius Winery & Restaurant, the only MICHELIN Guide 2024 recommended dining experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Immerse yourself in the ultimate wine experience. Savour incredible food, celebrate local flavours, and journey through Canada’s largest underground sparkling cellar on the Trius Tour.