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Featuring over $1 Million in Rare Wines, Dream Lots, and Unforgettable Experiences With wine donations up more than 200%, the April auction will support climate action alongside Grapes for Humanity’s core pillars of health, education, and humanitarian relief Toronto, ON — Grapes for Humanity is pleased to announce its 2026 Fine Wine Auction, taking place…

A 2025 global meta-analysis by Silvia Winter et al., in Science of the Total Environment found that less intensive vineyard management increases biodiversity and ecosystem services by about 14% overall, with minimal trade-offs except for reduced yields in organic systems. Headline Findings Extensive vineyard management → +14% biodiversity & ecosystem services overall Strongest gains: carbon…

This study by Ryschawy, J et al., (2025) published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development, found that reintegrating livestock into vineyards in southern France provides ecological benefits such as improved soil and vegetation management, but adoption is limited by weak coordination, economic constraints, and mixed stakeholder support. Headline Findings Agroecological benefits: Livestock improve soil quality and…

So far 2026 has been a year of new discoveries. Last month an introduction to the wines of Victoria, Australia | Home of Diversity. So far this month has been all about French wines, almost all of which were new to me. France: Terroir & Trends seminar that included very good wines that were tasted for…

By Rick VanSickle When Niagara’s newest winery celebrates its grand opening on April 2, it will also mark a special milestone for the couple who founded and own the estate. Lilia and Alexei Bodistean (below), owners of the new Dandor Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, arrived in Canada from Moldova 25 years ago on April 2,…

MORE THAN ONE YEAR LATER: BAN ON CALIFORNIA WINES HURTING BRITISH COLUMBIANS March 10, 2026 represented a full year the ban on the importation of California wines has been in place In British Columbia the result of the province’s response to US tariffs on BC forest, aluminum, and other exports. The tariff response is being felt…

Charisma wines Gold Hill Winery, located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, produces the “Charisma” line, known for being approachable, fruit-forward, and well-priced, including Pinot Noir Rosé, Cabernet Merlot, Malbec, and Pinot Gris. Monday, March 23rd: Dinner: Lamb chops with Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2023 (a Portuguese blend of Baga, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional). Tuesday, March…

How long is too long to keep a wine? Based on my search a B.C. Sauvignon Blanc is best enjoyed within one to two years. Under ideal storage, darkness and a consistent low temperature maybe up to three years. So what happens if you accidently forget it’s on the shelf? Well of course you should…

Hospitality veterans join to lend expertise and steer industry’s association for three-year term The Ontario chapter  of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) – Canada’s only non-profit association that funds educational programs and competitions for the country’s sommelier community – has announced its new 2026-2027 Board, elected last week at the chapter’s annual general meeting…

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature aged…