Spill The Wine Podcast

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Spill The Wine Podcast

Andrea Morris introduces listeners to the wonderful Bench area of the Niagara Wine region in Ontario, Canada

Welcome to 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. 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.

06/01/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟰𝟰: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗵𝘂𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: 𝗔 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆

Founded in 1998, Malivoire is one of the older wineries in the Bench region and General Manager 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘇 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿 has been involved with the winery since 2000.

The uniqueness of the winery is that it uses the gravity process. It's built on the side of a hill with the retail shop at the bottom of the hill, and the vineyards at the top, which of course explains gravity.

We talked with Shiraz about the evolution of the winery labels, and the importance of the mural in the winery, with showcases community, collaboration and sharing wine together.

We certainly had a great time sharing wine with Shiraz and the laughs continue throughout the podcast. We also come up with a genius description of Gamay – first as a street wine, then a busker wine and finally a Banksy wine.

This episode will definitely put a smile on your face and make you want to 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰!

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded March 18, 2026

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱: 2023 Biscous Blanc de Gamay, 2025 Melon, 2022 Motiar Chardonnay, 2024 Gamay, 2024 Genova Gamay, 2023 Small Lot Pinot Noir Malivoire Wine

05/26/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟰𝟯: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀. 𝗔 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆

In the early 2000's, 𝗟𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼 purchased 40 acres of property with the intention of making appassimento wines.

In this episode, we chat with Winemaker 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗲 about the process of making this type of wine, which involves drying the grapes for 4-6 week, which in turn concentrates the sugar and acid.

The result is a wine with a deep colour and beautifully concentrated flavours. It's also interesting to note the similarities between ice wine and appassimento wine – but I'll let you discover that on the podcast!

Our conversation with Rene is packed with lots of laughs and loads of information, and I'm sure you'll be planning a trip to Foreign Affair after listening.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded March 18, 2026
Link In Bio

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱: Traditional Sparkling, 2025 Sussreserve Reisling, 2025 Chardonnay, 2024 Cabernet, 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Whiskey Barrel, 2023 L'eredite, 2025 Reisling Appassimento

The Foreign Affair Winery

05/06/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟰𝟮: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀. 𝗔 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮

Tiny bubbles in the wine make me happy – and if they make YOU happy, then this is the episode for you as we explore the wonderful world of Petillant Naturels (aka Pet Nats).

𝗥𝗼𝗯 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗼𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗸, the owners and wine makers of 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 talk about their initial experimentations with making Pet Nats, and the challenges of making a wine that is still fermenting in the bottle.

We toss around some great ideas wines for expanding their Pet-Nat portfolio. And Rob unwittingly comes up with yet another great t-shirt slogan (check the title of this episode for a clue!)

When you've finished listening, you will be able to confidently choose Pet Nats as a Jeopardy category.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded March 18, 2026

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱: Reboot Reisling Pet-Nat, Savy B Sauvignon Blanc Pet-Nat, Prose Pinot Noir Rose Pet-Nat, G-Minor Gewurztraminer Pet-Nat

04/20/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟰𝟭: Let's go ride a bike and work off those wine calories! A visit with 𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀

Put your wine glass away because in this episode, we won't be drinking wine, but we will be chatting 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀, owner of ebikethebench wine tours about the various ways to enjoy your day in wine country without having to drive your car.

Marilyn and her team are based out of 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆 and offer a variety of different tours to suit your needs. You can take guided tours (with lunch included) to wineries or enjoy tours that include hiking, kayaking and much more.

It's a great way experience the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment, get some exercise and explore wineries. I've taken a tour and I can tell you from my own experience, it's a lot of fun and you will definitely work off those wine calories!

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded February 11, 2026
Wines sampled: none this time!!

Vineland Estates Winery

04/15/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗪 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

In 2026, the legal and business setting for the wine industry in Canada continues to be characterized by uncertainty. This year held in Toronto (and online), 𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗩 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮'𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 brings clarity where possible, with panels and speakers covering legal, trade, regulatory, and agriculture facets, as well as a business outlook for the wine sector in Canada (focus on Ontario).

DATE: 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario and online
Offices of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Law Firm
Bay Adelaide Centre – North Tower,
40 Temperance St, Suite 3200,
Toronto, ON
TIME: 1:00 pm – 5:15 pm EDT / 10:00 am – 2:15 pm PDT
12:15 pm EDT – On-Site Registration Opens
5:15 pm – 7:00 pm EDT – Ontario Wine Networking Reception (on-site)

Attendance link will be sent to online registrants the day prior to the conference.

𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:Reporting and regulatory obligations under the Excise ActChargeback decision and LCBO transitionRegenerative farming practices and their commercial implications for wineries

Restructuring and financial distress in the wine sectorOntario winery business updateNational direct-to-consumer (DTC) framework updateIndustry associations: regulatory outlook
(Visit Detailed Agenda page or click button below for full version.)

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Member: $125Non-Member: $185Wine sector representative (non-member): $85Student: $50

Notes:
Prices shown above do not include tax.For online registrations, the link will be sent the day prior to the conference.

04/07/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟰𝟬: 𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿! 𝗔 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰

In this episode, we make a return trip to Niagara Custom Crush Studios to visit with Tim Reed Manessy, the owner/marketing manager of Therianthropy Inc.

Therianthropy means shape shifting, grapes + wild yeast = wine! They believe in low intervention when making wines, which means organically farmed site specific grapes, wild fermentations, no filtering and no flavour or colouring manipulation.

They produce some very interesting and enjoyable wines, and the labels, designed by a Parisian artist, are truly works of art.

You will definitely want to try these fantastic wines after listening to this episode!

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded February 11, 2026

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱: 2021 Georgian Bay Riesling, 2024 Odix Musque Merlot, 2025 Passe Tout Grains Nouveau, 2021 Avabelle Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 The Negotiant Cabernet Franc

03/30/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟯𝟵: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴? 𝗔 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆

Peninsula Ridge opened their doors in August of 2000, making it one of the older wineries in the Niagara Bench area. Owner Norm Beal and head winemaker Sean Palmer shared some interesting facts about the history of the winery, which was originally settled in.

The winery is also on the migration route for birds of prey. From April until the end of June, you can sit on the patio and watch the birds glide on the convection currents all around the vineyards.

And of course, you will also enjoy some absolutely stellar wines at great prices. This winery definitely over delivers on quality and you will have a great time here.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded February 11, 2026

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱: Tiny Bubbles Sparkling, 2024 Cabernet Rose (Beal Vineyard), 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 Reserve Fume Blanc, 2019 McNally Vineyard Proprietors Reserve Pinot Noir, 2020 Arcanum (Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah blend) Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery

03/18/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟯𝟴: 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗔 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀

𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 Brand Partnership, marketing, and hospitality manager of Niagara Custom Crush studios was an absolute pleasure to chat with.

She's so passionate about wine and the business model of the studios. It's the first of its kind in Ontario and showcases the work of 13 different wine makers, with 64 wines to sample.

You really can spend hours here since it's basically a one stop shop to discover some hidden gems in Niagara wine country.

During our conversation, we tasted some very unique wines, ranging from a Pet Nat to a beautiful appassimento and three different styles of Chardonnay.

You'll definitely discover some amazing wines when you plan a visit here!

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded November 19, 2025

Wines sampled: A Date with Freddie 2024 Pet Nat – Vitis Labrusca Volume 2, Unscripted Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Inferno Stallion 2023 unoaked Chardonnay, Scheule Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay, The Long Way Home 2023 Chardonnay, Rennie G 2017 Assemblage Niagara Custom Crush Studio

03/16/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟯𝟳: 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲. 𝗔 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀

Winemaker 𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗸𝗮 is VERY busy man. Not only is he the owner and winemaker of his own label, 2027 and Solo Para Mici, he is also the winemaker for Calamus, a few other wineries and at Niagara Custom Crush studios.

You can see why it took over a year to pin him down for an interview! During the course of our conversation, we talked about the differences between Burgundy and Bordeaux, compared the sizes of the wine regions of Ontario and France, and delved into why Chardonnay is the most planted grape in the world.

We also tasted one of the best Cabernet Franc's I've ever had. It's a wonderful conversation.

FYI – I did get to taste Kevin's Solo Pari Mici wine and it was mind blowing!!

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded November 19, 2025

Wines sampled: 202 Brute Rose, 202 Cabernet Franc Foxcroft, 2021 Cabernet Franc King Street, 2021 Chardonnay 2027 Cellars Niagara Custom Crush Studio

03/02/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟯𝟱: 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗼! 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

There are a lot of amazing things happening at Cave Spring, so we had to make time to chat with winemaker 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼 about the importance of the new yeast strains discovered at the winery.

In collaboration with 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, they worked to identify, isolate and validate their own yeast strains in an effort to create wine from the Niagara region with zero international inputs.

In addition, you'll also hear about their new concrete vessels which were three years in the making and are 100% domestically sourced.

Of course we also taste some fabulous wines, including the first CSV reds.

This episode is packed with great information and it will certainly make you want to visit both the tasting room and the vineyard.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: Lukas Sluzar, recorded October 22, 2025

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱: base wine, Blanc de Blanc Estate, 2024 Riesling CSV, 2020 Riesling CSV, 2023 Gamay CSV, 2022 Cabernet Franc CSV Cave Spring Vineyard

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