Lincoln, ON – (August 4, 2023) – The Town of Lincoln is thrilled to share the extraordinary success of its local wineries at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada, solidifying the Niagara Benchlands destination as a leader in wine excellence for Canada’s grape and wine industry. With over 211 wine awards in total, including 7 Platinum Medals, 45 Gold Medals, 91 Silver Medals, and 68 Bronze Medals, the Town of Lincoln's wineries in the Niagara Benchlands have achieved remarkable success. The top 3 award winners are:
Hidden Bench Estate Winery, a family-owned estate winery in Beamsville within the Niagara Benchlands destination, has been named ‘Winery of the Year’ at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada. The boutique winery is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023. Over the last two decades, Hidden Bench has built a reputation for producing outstanding wines that consistently garner awards in respected international and national wine competitions. At this year’s WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, Hidden Bench Estate Winery took home an impressive total of 12 medals: 2 Platinum Medals, 5 Gold Medals, and 5 Silver Medals.
Tawse Winery also made a lasting mark, securing 2 Platinum Medals, along with 17 other medals, and achieving the remarkable distinction of second place in WineAlign’s ranking of Canada’s Top 25 Wineries. Their commitment to sustainable and organic practices, combined with outstanding winemaking, has solidified their position as one of Niagara Benchland’s top wineries.
Megalomaniac, perfectly perched atop the Niagara Escarpment, secured the third-place finish with its platinum-awarded Bubblehead Brut and secured a spot among WineAlign’s ranking of Canada’s Top 25 Wineries. Known for its breathtaking views and culinary excellence, Megalomaniac stands out as an extraordinary destination for wine enthusiasts.
The Niagara Benchlands destination includes all of Lincoln and our small communities, along with various wine appellations. These appellations encompass the benches, backcountry, vineyards, and distinctive villages, extending from Grimsby to St. Catharines along Lake Ontario and south to just beyond the escarpment. It is home to over 50 renowned wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries, and boasts award-winning restaurants, charming villages, boutique accommodations, local artisans, and offers memorable hiking, paddling, and cycling experiences.
“On behalf of Lincoln Council and the Lincoln community, we would like to congratulate our many passionate grape growers and winemakers on this impressive showing,” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “We especially thank conscientious growers like Hidden Bench, Tawse, and Megalomaniac, who not only seek to make quality, terroir-driven wines from Lincoln’s unique soils, but also prioritize the health of the vineyards, and consequently the community, through sustainable and organically certified practices. It is exemplary efforts and businesses like this that make Lincoln a vibrant and healthy place to grow and prosper.”
Co-head judge David Lawrason stated on the competition’s website: “If there is one region of Canada that caught platinum’s glare it is the appellations of Niagara’s escarpment, with seven top medals: four for Beamsville Bench, and one each for Twenty Mile Bench, Vinemount Ridge, and Niagara Escarpment. The sites occupy the cooler, limestone-laced, north-facing escarpment benches several kilometres from Lake Ontario. But at least as important as the terroir is that many vineyards in this area are now more than 30 years of age, and strutting their stuff.”
“We recognize that Lincoln and the Niagara Benchlands is a special place, made up of distinctive vineyards, benches, soils, and over 20 kilometers of beautiful Lake Ontario waterfront and the many smaller waterways and waterfalls, that not only benefit exceptional grape growing but also contribute to a rich agritourism experience for visitors and residents alike,” noted the Town’s Director of Economic Development and Communications, Paul Di Ianni. “We are proud to be one of Canada’s leading award-winning destinations and look forward to welcoming visitors to the Niagara Benchlands.”
The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada is the country’s largest wine competition, with 1,930 wine submissions from 255 wineries across 7 provinces in 2023. All entries must be 100 percent grown and produced Canadian wine.
Britnie Bazylewski, Sommelier and Tourism Development Officer for the Town of Lincoln encourages visitors from near and far with Niagara Benchlands’ tagline and hashtag Wanderers Always Welcome. “We have partnered with respected industry experts to create some of Ontario’s best culinary and beverage experiences, events, and one-of-a-kind tourism opportunities.” Bazylewski suggests visiting the Niagara Benchlands website for helpful tips, tools, and rewards to build personalized trips and make the most out of time spent in one of Canada’s most-awarded destinations.
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For Media Inquiries, contact:
Tourism Development Officer
Town of Lincoln
Direct: 905-563-2799 ext. 218