Spill The Wine – Details, episodes & analysis

Ten acres and a mule was the slogan years ago, and your host, Andrea Morris, visits with Andrew Brooks, the owner of Back 10 about his journey into the wonderful world of wine. Andrew and his wife, Christina,  had no experience in farming or agriculture, but clung to the dream of starting a vineyard from the ground up.   Back 10 Cellars started with a big dream , pure will, gumption and determination. We talk about their story and taste some of the fruits of their labour. If you’ve ever dreamed about owning a winery, this is the episode you MUST listen to!

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar. Recorded June 12, 2024

Show Notes: Back 10 Cellars: www.back10cellars.com

Wines Sampled: Smitten Sparking Wine (2023),  The Big Reach Riesling (2022) , Rose Coloured Glasses (2023 Rose), Start From Scratch Chardonnay (2023), Everything at Stake Gamay (2022), The Big Leap Cabernet Franc (2021)

If you are a red wine lover, this is the episode for you! Your host, Andrea Morris, takes you one of the wineries in the Bench area that is renowned for their hearty reds – Kacaba Vineyards Winery.  Charles will be our wine steward for the day and guide us through a tasting of a variety of wines, beginning with some bubbly, and ending with deep, rich reds. We will also discuss the history of Kacaba Vineyards and learn how this vineyard was saved from becoming a housing development and became an award-winning winery. 

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar recorded June 12, 2024

Show Notes: Kacaba Vineyards Winery: www.kacaba.com

Wines sampled: 2023 Effervescence Sparkling, 2022 Jennifer’s Pinot Gris, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Syrah (Proprietor’s Block), 2020 Reserve Syrah

Welcome to the first episode of Spill the Wine – a podcast obviously about WINE! Wine is the one beverage that people seem to think they can’t enjoy unless they know something about it, which is quite odd when you think about it. But have no fear - we are hear to help you learn about wine, debunk some myths, and introduce you to the wonderful Bench area of the Niagara Wine region. We begin our journey with a visit to Cornerstone Winery, a family-run business that is one of the few wineries in the area that makes fruit wines. Nina shares some history of the winery and the thought process behind some of their most popular wines. There’s also a surprise visit from Sarah from London Born Wines too!

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar; recorded June 12, 2024

Show notes: Cornerstone Estate Winery website: www.cornerstonewinery.com

Wines sampled: Bad Moon Riesling (2020), Blush Hour 2, Cabernet Franc 2016, Fizzy Peach, Port

Your host, Andrea, SERIOUSLY overuses the word “lovely” in this episode. As a matter of fact, it annoyed her so much, she wanted to redo the episode. However, producer Lukas Sluzar felt there is valuable information in this podcast, so Andrea bit the bullet and allowed it to air. Count the number of times she says lovely, and you could win a prize!! (email your answer to spillthewinepodcast@gmail.com) In this episode, we visit Italian winery Commisso Estates and speak with the owner, Frank. Frank shares his feelings about making wine affordable and delicious (and of course, LOVELY).

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar. Recorded June 12, 2024

Show notes: Commisso Estate Winery: www.commisso.ca

Wines sampled: Sparking Chardonnay (2022), Pinot Gris (2020), Rose, Red blend, Cabernet Sauvignon (2021), Cabernet Franc (2017)

This is the story of how a family farm becomes a winery. Our host, Andrea Morris, visits Dim Winery and chats with Peter Dim about the history of the farm and of course, we taste some amazing wines. We are also treated to some wonderful stories about the labels and names for the wines. In addition, we also learn a lot about agriculture and weather and their affects on the grapes. 

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar. Recorded July 31, 2024

Show notes: Dim Wine Co. : www.dimwineco.ca

Wines sampled: 2017 Great Escape Chardonnay, 2019 Edgewater Riesling, Icarus Gewurztaimer, 202 Field Select Red, West Bank Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Old Press Cabernet Franc

Your host, Andrea Morris, busts a popular myth that red wine should never be served chilled. During this visit to Italian winery Villa Romana, Ugo explains why the folks in Rome drink their red wine chilled, and Andrea is surprised to actually enjoy chilled Pinot Noir. Ugo and his daughter, Andrea, share their stories of creating unique and delicious award winning wines. You’ll hear about the path to starting the winery, the vision for the future and more!

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar. Recorded July 31, 2024

Show notes: Villa Romana Estate Winery: www.villaromona.ca

Wines sampled: Cenerentolo (sparkling red), Lanuvino (sparking reisling), 2023 Pinotino Pinot Gris, 2023 Scalina Vidal, 2021 Speziato Gewurztraminer, 2021 Rosellino Rose, 2020 Quatrarello Pinot Noir Riserva, 2020 Romanello Riserva blend

We experience a bit of the UK vibe in this episode as your host, Andrea Morris, visits with Sarah at London Born Winery. We discover how a family from England started a winery in the Ontario wine region and learn the stories behind wines. During the conversation, Andrea and Sarah develop some great ideas for future podcasts and give some helpful hints regarding food pairings. And we even veer off the path of wine and sample some beer! Listen carefully and you may even hear Andrea’s puppy, Nandor, bark a few times. 

Produced by: Lukas Sluzar. Recorded July 31, 2024

Show Notes: London Born Wines: www.londonbornwines.com

Wines sampled: 2023 South Kensington Pinot Grigio, Szegrebbe, Rose, Troubled One Orange Wine, Limey Lager, 2021 Holbour Gamay, Docklands Marichal Foch, 2018 Cabernet Franc

In this episode, we discover how land that was once an old air force training site, The
Beamsville Aerodrome, has developed into a top tier winery. Andrea and Taylor Emerson
discuss the evolution of the winery from the reasons for choosing to purchase this particular plot
of land, the grape choices and the decision to create Old World style wines. During the course
of the conversation and wine tasting, we also get creative – comparing wine tasting to driving
and changing lanes, describing wine as a luggage tag and we even came up with this key
phrase: “Wine is an expression of yourself.” Sounds like the perfect t-shirt slogan. It’s a fun
episode spotlighting spectacular wine.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar. Recorded August 21, 2024

Show Notes: Black Bank Hill - www.blackbankhill.com
Wines sampled: 2022 Rose, 2021 Runway White, Vignoier, 201 Chardonnay, 2020 Runway
Red, Cabernet Franc

Len Pennachetti from Cave Spring is well known in the Niagara Wine region and his years in the
business resulted in one of our most informative podcast episodes. Andrea and Len began their
discussion by addressing the pretentiousness of wine, which Len had a very interesting take on.
Throughout the course of the conversation and wine tasting, we learn some fun facts about the
traditional method of champagne, the importance of one’s nose when appreciating wine and
food, and how great wines don’t age – they evolve. You’ll definitely learn a lot from this episode.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar. Recorded October 2, 2024

Show notes: Cave Spring Tasting Room/Vineyard: www.cavespring.ca

Wines sampled: Blanc de Blancs NV, Riesling CSV 2020, Chardonnay

A wine tasting with Nathan and Dave at Dobbin Estate is like a fairy tale. Andrea met them at
the foot of the tower (the adult treehouse as they call it) , and proceeded to the second floor to
hear the story of the winery and taste some spectacular wines. Nathan and Dave explained their
reasoning for opting for an organic approach to wine making and talked in detail about the
challenges of organic grape growing. The result is not your $20 bottle of wine, but
understanding the work involved in the process justifies the price. You’ll definitely want to visit
Dobbin Estates after listening to this episode.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar. Recorded October 2, 2024

Show notes: Dobbin Estate Winery: www.dobbinestate.com

Wines sampled: Chardonnay 2019, Cabernet Blend 2020, Dry Riesling 2019, Riesling 2019