LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2021

IN GOOD COMPANY

Sustainable Winemaking Ontario Certified

GOOD PARTNERS

VQA wines, which are always made from locally grown grapes, further reducing their carbon footprint. They must also be leaders in social responsibility and actively encourage posi- tive relationships within their communities. In the future, additional charters will set high standards for responsible adver- tising, employment practices and diversity within the workplace.

and standards that had to be met. Last year, they joined the Grape Growers of Ontario to add a separate certification for vineyards. Environmental responsibility is at the heart of the initiative— conserving water, reducing waste and waste water, and implementing energy-efficiency programs, including sustainable power sources. But there are other equally important pillars. Certified wineries must produce

Sustainability is an idea every- one can get behind, but what exactly does it mean? Some years ago, a handful of Ontario wineries renowned for walking the walk where environmental responsibility was concerned decided a definition would be helpful—and, beyond that, a certification. Ontario Craft Wineries led the way, creating the Sustainable Winemaking On- tario Certified (SWO) program and drawing up stringent rules

With its Friends First ini- tiative, D’Ont Poke the Bear takes a stand against bullying. Every sale of its VQA wine and craft cider, including Baco Noir Caber- net VQA ( LCBO 18412, 3 L, $44.95), raises funds for Kids Help Phone.

Look for the leaf “Membership is voluntary,” says Ed Madronich, president of Flat Rock Cellars and one of the SWO’s founding members, “but the bar is set pretty high. You have to do a lot to get that little green leaf logo on your wine bottles. It takes commitment, time, effort and investment to qualify.”

For the past nine years, Flat Rock Cellars has sup- ported Feed Ontario, raising money for food banks across the province through sales of its Good Kharma wines, available only at the LCBO. This fall, look for Twisted White VQA ( VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 1578, $17.95), a blend winery president EdMadronich describes as “bridging the gap between

Flat Rock Cellars

Clean credibility Each participating winery undergoes an independent third-party audit every year, something that has given the program huge credibility in the public eye. “For the winery itself, it’s a great way to see how you’re doing,” explains Madronich, “and where you can improve.” The number of SWO Certified wineries and vineyards continues to grow. For the latest list, visit ontariocraftwineries.ca— and look for the green leaf logo on VQA wine labels.

people who are heavily involved in wine and the casual wine drinker.”

Shop the issue at lcbo.com/ fdautumn21

Southbrook Vineyards

SOUTHBROOK IMAGE COURTESY OF WINE MARKETING ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

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AUTUMN 2021 FOOD & DRINK