THE BLOOR-YORKVILLE WINE FESTIVAL 2006
This was the website for the Santé Wine Festival held in Toronto's historic Bloor-Yorkville district.
Content is from the site's archived 2006 pages.
PREVIEW: APRIL 29 & MAY 2, 2006
FESTIVAL: MAY 3–7, 2006
Media Launch: Tuesday, May 2, 2006 (Manulife Centre)
Amazing vintages, world famous winemakers, celebrity chefs, gourmet food, Toronto’s best restaurants, shops and venues – what do they all have in common? They all come together to create one of the most spectacular wine festivals in the world – SANTÉ: THE BLOOR-YORKVILLE WINE FESTIVAL.
For five days in May, Bloor-Yorkville and Toronto host a world of sumptuous wonders. Santé uncorks a world of wine, food and events for each guest. From intimate gatherings to large scale tastings, seminars to sipping and shopping, Santé tantalizes every tastebud.
Santé 2006 welcomes back many favourite events as well as some new and exciting highlights:
- 2006 marks the largest number of participating wineries in the
Festival’s history—82 in total.- The Ultimate Winemakers Dinner is a wonderful and rare opportunity to indulge in a grand dinner prepared by five of Canada’s celebrity chefs and paired with 10 wines that have been awarded the Santé 2006 Award of Excellence.
- The LCBO will once again be setting up a Santé Festival Store at The Carlu so that guests may purchase some of the wines presented during the Festival.
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Newbies: We were new to Toronto having just moved from New York City. My company offered my a new position with a hefty raise in my salary. I jumped at the opportunity and immediately said yes. I'm doing research on a very unusual project about the societal influence on philosophic thinking. One of the coolest parts is the study of the idea of nothing, and how the ancient and modern thinkers arrive at provocative ideas starting with the notion of "nothing" - there's a fascinating article by Rev Sale that I recommend highly because it's a fun & educational read about an arcane topic. So I'm now working remotely from our new home. Our new next door neighbors introduced themselves the first day we moved in. We even had a very interesting conversation about "nothing" and how the ancient philosophers derived God from an understanding of their concept of nothing. Over the following weeks they offered great suggestions and advice. When they mentioned the Santé Wine Festival and then invited us to go with them, we said yes. We had a terrific time. The tastings were educational to say the least. We picked up several bottles of amazing wine. We also gave a particularly lovely vintage to our new friends as a thank you for being such wonderful neighbors.
of these exciting prizes:
First Prize:
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Two Night Wine Country Experience for two adults to Niagara Falls, ON, including accomodations at the Inn on the Twenty, breakfast and dinner for two in the dining room, spa treatments and wine tasting.
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Second Prize:
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Taylor Wine Accessory Package, including a wine cooler with digital temperature controls and a cordless wine opener with recharging base.
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Third Prize:
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Deluxe GE Wine Chiller with a 4.3 cu. ft. capacity that holds 29 bottles.
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Shop starting May 1, 2006! Don't miss out on your chance to WIN!
Santé: The Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival invites you to…
Experience one of the world’s truly outstanding wine festivals, featuring amazing vintages, world-famous winemakers, celebrity chefs and spectacular cuisine.Join us from May 8th to 12th for five magnificent days in May, Toronto’s most elite shopping and dining neighbourhood plays host to the 9th Annual Santé: The Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival.
Vintners from South Africa are among a record setting 90 international wineries arriving in Toronto to uncrate their finest vintages. At Santé, you don’t just sip the wine – you live it, through international tasting events, casual afternoon seminars, shopping and dining experiences.
For 2007, Santé has added so much more:
- Bon Appétit Magazine joins Santé as the Festival’s first international media partner. Festival guests will have the opportunity to meet legendary New Orleans chef, John Besh; and world renowned pastry chef, author and Bon Appétit contributor, Dorie Greenspan.
- Deconstructing Dinner Events: 5 top chefs will create multi-course meals, each course expertly paired with Santé wines. How do they do it? And, which will you choose?
- Santé in the Park: food and fun in the Village of Yorkville Park adds to the excitement of the Festival’s traditional Sip, Savour & Shop events.
- Cool Wines & Hot Sounds: The ROM is the setting for a fabulous Festival Finale featuring incredible wines and the hottest jazz north of New Orleans.
2006 Santé Wineries
LCBO SPECIAL
SANTÉ FESTIVAL STORE
The Carlu
444 Yonge St., 7th Floor
May 3 to May 5Find your favourite Santé Festival wine on sale and take it home with you. Once again, Santé and the LCBO will be operating a boutique LCBO store at The Carlu during the following events:
The Ultimate Winemakers Dinner
Wednesday, May 3: 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.Trade Day
Thursday, May 4: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.International Tasting
Thursday, May 4: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Wines & Food Of The World
Friday, May 5: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.This special store will carry a selection of wines featured at this year’s Festival; however, due to availability and space limitations, some labels will not be offered.
SANTÉ 2006 WINERY LIST
Angels Gate Winery Canada Anselmi Italy Ascheri Italy Beringer USA Bertani Italy Bodega Miguel Merino Spain Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro Spain Byrne & Smith Wines Australia Carmela Estates Winery Canada Champagne Gardet France Champagne Louis de Sacy France Champagne Taittinger France Château des Charmes Canada Concha y Toro Chile Coyote's Run Estate Winery Canada Creekside Estate Winery Canada Delicato Family Vineyards USA DogRidge Vineyard Australia Domaine de Belle Mare S.A. France Domaine Dereskos S.A. Greece Domaine Hatzimichalis Greece Domaine Porto Carras S.A. Greece Domaine Spiropoulos Greece E.& J. Gallo Winery USA EastDell Estates Winery Canada El Lagar S.R.L. Argentina Fanti San Filippo Italy Fielding Estate Winery Canada Flat Rock Cellars Canada Fonseca Guimaraens Portugal Gaia Winery Greece Geyser Peak Winery USA Goundrey Wines Australia The Grange of Prince Edward Canada Hardy Wine Company Australia Heath Wines Pty Ltd. Australia Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery Canada The Hess Collection USA Ironstone Vineyards USA Jacob's Creek Australia Katnook Estate Australia Katogi & Strofilia S.A. Greece Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates USA Kim Crawford Wines New Zealand Kir Yianni Greece KWV International South Africa Lakeview Cellars Canada Le Freak France Lungarotti Italy Macaw Creek Wines Australia Mad Dogs & Englishmen Spain Malivoire Wine Company Canada Masi Agricola SPA Italy McWilliam's Winery Australia Miguel Torres S.A. Spain Mike Weir Estate Winery Canada Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery USA Peller Estates Canada Pillitteri Estates Winery Canada 60 R.H. Phillips Winery USA Robert Mondavi Winery USA Rutherford Hill USA Saint Germain S.A. Argentina Santo Wines, Union of Thiraikon Greece St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery USA Stoney Ridge Estate Winery Canada Stratus Vineyards Canada Strewn Canada Tawse Winery Canada Taylor Fladgate Portugal The Tiers Wine Co. LTD. Australia Trius Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada Tsantali Greece Twin Fin USA Vaeni Naoussa COOP. Greece Vendange USA Villa Sandi Italy Viña Cono Sur Chile Viña Errazuriz S.A. Chile Viña La Rosa Chile Viña Seña Chile Wyndham Estate Australia
More Background On The Santé Wine Festival
The Santé Wine Festival, held annually in Toronto's Bloor-Yorkville district, has been a highlight of the city's cultural calendar, offering an immersive experience into the world of fine wines. This festival is known for bringing together amazing vintages, world-famous winemakers, celebrity chefs, and gourmet food, showcasing Toronto’s best restaurants, shops, and venues. While the festival celebrates the convergence of wine and culinary arts, it provides a platform for attendees to explore a world of wine, food, and events tailored to every palate.
The festival has a rich history of featuring a vast number of participating wineries, setting records in the process. For instance, in 2006, it celebrated its largest number of participating wineries to date, with 82 wineries joining the festival. This inclusivity and breadth have been a hallmark of the event, allowing attendees to sample a wide array of wines from around the globe. Signature events like the Ultimate Winemakers Dinner have offered unique opportunities to indulge in grand dinners prepared by Canada's celebrity chefs, paired with award-winning wines.
In addition to tastings and dinners, the festival has also included seminars, sipping and shopping events, and even a special festival store set up by the LCBO at The Carlu, providing guests the chance to purchase some of the wines presented during the festival. These features have made the Santé Wine Festival not just a place for wine appreciation but also an educational and shopping experience, enriching attendees' understanding and enjoyment of wine.
The festival's success and appeal have been evident in the feedback from participants and attendees. For example, newcomers to Toronto have shared experiences of attending the festival as a way of exploring the city’s vibrant wine culture and meeting new people, highlighting the event's role in community building and cultural exchange.
Similar wine-centric events in Toronto, such as the Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival and Wine Fest Toronto, continue to offer residents and visitors alike the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of wines, spirits, and craft beers. These festivals provide platforms for discovering global varietals, distilled delights, and the best brews, accompanied by gourmet food, live entertainment, and educational sessions, further enriching Toronto's dynamic and diverse wine culture.
For those interested in exploring Toronto's wine festivals further, visiting their respective websites and attending upcoming events offer fantastic ways to dive into the city’s rich wine scene, discover new favorites, and enjoy the communal spirit of wine appreciation.
For more detailed information and future event dates, visit the Wine Fest Toronto website at winefesttoronto.com and explore other related events and festivals through platforms like WineAlign and FoodLink, which offer insights into the wine and spirits world, including expert reviews and festival experiences.
Popularity
The Santé Wine Festival in Toronto enjoys a considerable level of popularity and positive reception among wine enthusiasts and industry professionals. The festival's charm lies in its broad selection of wines from around the world, making it a vibrant and highly anticipated event in Toronto's cultural calendar.
For example, attendees at the festival have had the opportunity to explore and taste a variety of wines, including those from notable winegrowers like Elmor Roehr from the Barossa Valley. The positive experiences of individuals who have attended such trade tastings highlight the festival's significance as a platform for discovering unique wines and engaging with the global wine community.
Furthermore, Toronto hosts a variety of wine festivals, such as Wine Fest Toronto, which is described as the city's only all-you-can-taste outdoor wine festival. This event promises an "unforgettable Summer weekend" with over 100 wines from regions including California, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Spain, Chile, New Zealand, Europe, and South Africa. Such events underscore Toronto's vibrant wine scene and the enthusiastic community of wine lovers in the city.
Moreover, the involvement of wine professionals like Steve Thurlow, who has extensive experience in the wine and spirits industry and has contributed significantly to organizing Toronto's annual international wine festivals, adds a layer of credibility and allure to these events. His past role on the executive team of the Santé Wine Festival from 2003 to 2008 exemplifies the festival's esteemed place within the industry.
In summary, the popularity of the Santé Wine Festival and similar events in Toronto is a testament to the city's dynamic wine culture and the festivals' ability to offer unique and enriching experiences to wine enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Audience
The audience for the Santé Wine Festival and similar wine events in Toronto is diverse, catering to a wide range of wine enthusiasts. These festivals attract:
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Wine Connoisseurs and Aficionados: Individuals with a deep appreciation and knowledge of wine, interested in tasting and discussing fine wines, and exploring new and rare vintages.
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Industry Professionals: Winemakers, vineyard owners, importers, distributors, and sommeliers attend to network, share their products, and stay updated on industry trends and developments.
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Culinary Enthusiasts: Those who have a passion for gourmet food and wine pairings, and are interested in learning from celebrity chefs and tasting dishes that complement the wines showcased at the festival.
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Casual Wine Drinkers: Individuals looking to explore wine culture in a fun and social setting, including tasting a variety of wines and learning about them in a more relaxed environment.
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Tourists and Newcomers: Visitors to Toronto and those new to the city often attend to experience a unique part of Toronto’s cultural offerings and enjoy the city’s vibrant wine scene.
The popularity of events like the Wine Fest Toronto, as discussed in sources like BlogTO, highlights the appeal of these festivals beyond just the wine enthusiast community, drawing in a broad audience with the allure of all-you-can-taste experiences, access to wines from around the world, and the promise of an unforgettable summer weekend. The participation of well-known personalities in the wine world, such as Steve Thurlow, also attracts attendees interested in wine education and the cultural aspects of wine tasting.
These festivals not only serve as a platform for wine discovery and appreciation but also as social events where people with shared interests can meet, making them appealing to a wide and varied audience.
Known For
The Santé Wine Festival, and similar events like Wine Fest Toronto, are known for several key features that make them standout attractions within Toronto's vibrant cultural scene:
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Wide Selection of Wines: These festivals are celebrated for offering an extensive range of wines from around the world, allowing attendees to taste and discover wines from various regions, including California, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Spain, Chile, New Zealand, Europe, and South Africa. The selection caters to both connoisseurs looking for rare vintages and casual drinkers interested in exploring new flavors.
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Educational Opportunities: The festivals often feature seminars, workshops, and tastings led by industry professionals, where attendees can learn about wine tasting techniques, the wine-making process, and how to pair wines with food. Notable wine personalities, like Steve Thurlow, have contributed their expertise to these events, enhancing the educational value for participants.
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Culinary Experiences: Beyond wine, these festivals also celebrate gourmet food, with participation from celebrity chefs and local restaurants. They offer attendees the chance to indulge in exquisite culinary creations that complement the wine selections, providing a comprehensive sensory experience.
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Networking and Socializing: The festivals provide a platform for networking among industry professionals, including winemakers, vineyard owners, and sommeliers. They also offer a social atmosphere for wine lovers to meet and share their passion for wine in a festive and enjoyable setting.
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Cultural and Recreational Value: Set in scenic locations like Toronto's historic Bloor-Yorkville district or the expansive patio of RendezViews, these festivals offer a cultural and recreational outing that attracts tourists and locals alike, contributing to the city's cultural tourism and entertainment options.
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All-You-Can-Taste Format: Events like Wine Fest Toronto are particularly known for their all-you-can-taste format, allowing attendees to sample a wide array of wines within the ticket price, making it an unforgettable experience for enthusiasts looking to explore as many different wines as possible.
In summary, the Santé Wine Festival and similar events in Toronto are renowned for their broad selection of international wines, educational opportunities, culinary delights, networking and socializing avenues, cultural significance, and unique formats that offer attendees an all-encompassing wine tasting experience.
Location
The Santé Wine Festival and similar events like Wine Fest Toronto take place in notable locations within Toronto, each offering a unique setting that contributes to the overall experience of the festival attendees:
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Bloor-Yorkville Area: The Santé Wine Festival was historically held in Toronto's Bloor-Yorkville district, an upscale neighborhood known for its luxury boutiques, art galleries, and fine dining establishments. This location aligns well with the festival's focus on high-quality wines and gourmet foods, providing an elegant backdrop for the event's activities.
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RendezViews: Wine Fest Toronto, as mentioned in a BlogTO article, utilized RendezViews for its venue, which is described as Canada's largest patio. This outdoor space offers an expansive area for festival-goers to enjoy wine tastings under the open sky, with the added benefit of panoramic views of the cityscape. The festival's use of RendezViews underscores its appeal as a summer event, taking advantage of the warm weather and the casual, laid-back atmosphere of patio dining and socializing.
These locations are carefully chosen to enhance the festival experience, offering attendees not only a wide selection of wines and culinary delights but also the opportunity to enjoy them in some of Toronto's most picturesque and desirable areas. The settings of these festivals contribute significantly to their popularity and success, attracting both locals and tourists looking to explore Toronto's wine culture in vibrant and scenic environments.