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.

 

 
You could have a chance to win a Two Night Wine Country Experience for two adults* from American Express when you use your American Express® Card at participating merchant locations in the Bloor-Yorkville district during the month of May. And, there are even more chances to win during the Santé Wine Festival from May 3 - 7, 2006. You could have a chance to win* one
of these exciting prizes:
First Prize:
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.
Second Prize:
Taylor Wine Accessory Package, including a wine cooler with digital temperature controls and a cordless wine opener with recharging base.
Third Prize:
Deluxe GE Wine Chiller with a 4.3 cu. ft. capacity that holds 29 bottles.

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 5

Find 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:

  1. 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.

  2. Industry Professionals: Winemakers, vineyard owners, importers, distributors, and sommeliers attend to network, share their products, and stay updated on industry trends and developments.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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:

  1. 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​.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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:

  1. 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​.

  • 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.

 

SanteWineFestival.net