Toast to the harvest at Benchmark with Niagara College’s expert winemaker.
NC’s Winemaker’s Dinner will be held at Benchmark Restaurant (Daniel J. Patterson Campus) on Thursday, September 24 (from 6-10 p.m.). The evening celebrates NC’s Teaching Winery, the first of its kind in Canada, and its award-winning head winemaker Allison Findlay – who is also a graduate of NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program. Findlay will guide guests through tastings of select college vintages poured alongside each course.
“I’m thrilled for the NC Teaching Winery in partnership with Benchmark Restaurant to host another evening sure to be filled with delicious wines, perfectly paired foods and a few good stories sprinkled throughout,” said Findlay, who noted she chose the wines to show the diversity of what can be done in Niagara, as well as ones that stand out by tasting particularly good right now.
“My hope is that guests get to experience the joy I get from talking about and tasting these wines and educating them on all things winemaking, grape growing and NC.”
Benchmark Chef Justin Downes has designed a paired four-course menu highlighting regional terroir and local ingredients chosen to complement Findlay’s wine selections.
“The Winemaker’s Dinner promises to be an incredible evening celebrating the exceptional wines produced by Niagara College and the talented students behind them. With such an outstanding portfolio of wines to work with, it’s exciting for our culinary students to create a menu that showcases the incredible local ingredients available throughout Niagara,” said Downes. “This event highlights the collaboration between our Teaching Winery and Culinary programs, giving guests a true taste of what makes our region and our students so special.”
The evening will open with a 6 p.m. reception featuring sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner service at 6:45 p.m.
Tickets and event details are available online through Eventbrite: eventbrite.ca/e/winemakers-dinner-featuring-niagara-colleges-allison-findlay-tickets-1995687027622?aff=oddtdtcreator.
