Bryce's Wine Odyssey

Cave Spring was founded in 1973 by John Pennachetti Sr., who transformed an abandoned orchard on the Niagara Escarpment into a vineyard. With remarkable foresight, he planted Riesling and Chardonnay at a time when their potential was largely overlooked in Canada. Beyond producing exceptional wines, Cave Spring has played a pivotal role in advancing the Canadian wine industry; John Sr.'s son Len co-founded the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) and Cave Spring became the first winery to achieve the Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario credential.

With nearly two centuries of winemaking heritage, the Poiron-Dabin family has deep roots in the Loire Valley, dating back to at least 1858. The modern winery began with the marriage of Jean Poiron and Thérèse Dabin in 1962, culminating in the acquisition of Domaine de Chantegrolle in 1990. Their sons, Jean-Michel and Laurent, took over as the next generation. Situated in the Château-Thébaud subzone of the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation, Poiron-Dabin produces rich Muscadet and has successfully revived the rare Berligou.

Founded in 1992, Bosinakis Winery is renowned for its exceptional interpretation of Moschofilero. The next generation, siblings Sotiris and Katerina Bosinakis, took over in 2009, determined to elevate Moschofilero beyond its typical table wine status. Their powerful expressions showcase the grape's potential for aging and complexity. In addition to their celebrated white and rare rosé, they experiment with natural winemaking techniques and collaborate with Chatzakis Winery to blend Assyrtiko with Moschofilero, further expanding the grape’s possibilities.

Founded by Stanko Polanič, Marof seeks to showcase the untapped potential of Slovenia’s Prekmurje region. Winemaker Uroš Valcl brings his passion for honest, terroir-driven wines, shaped by his upbringing in his family’s vineyard. Situated on a historic aristocratic estate, Marof employs minimal intervention winemaking, focusing on blends with native and international varieties. Their wines, known for structure and ageability are only released after years of careful maturation.

The Merayo family has deep roots in the Bierzo appellation, with a long legacy of viticulture as both grape growers and wine producers. In 1989, Pedro Merayo shifted his focus solely to nurturing his family's vineyards, revitalizing the region's old vines that had been neglected during the Franco era. Relaunching the Merayo winery in 2010, he is now joined by his son Juan. Today, Merayo is dedicated to crafting site-specific wines from their head-trained vines, many nearly a century old, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices.