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A son of Santa Barbara, Justin Tyler Willett began Tyler in 2005
at the age of 24 with a few barrels tucked away in the corner of
the Sta. Rita Hills cellar he was working in at the time. It was
there, as the assistant winemaker, he honed his approach to
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Justin – a champion of old vines – has since engaged the
famed historic vineyards of Santa Barbara, including the
region-defining Sanford & Benedict, in the Santa Rita Hills.
Great effort has been made to seek out vineyards of pedigree and
establish close collaboration with those growers.
More recently, Justin and his wife Amanda purchased the
site that would become Tyler’s new Estate Vineyard. They quickly
went to work developing the property, planting 28 acres to
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah along with an extensive remodel
of the existing ranch house. The Mae Vineyard, in the heart of
the Santa Rita Hills, marks the next chapter for Tyler Winery. -
We will be tasting the new 2021 vintage, along with the other
Vineyard Designate wines from Sta. Rita Hills.
With a firm belief that winemaking starts in the vineyard
and the sincere desire to have minimal impact on the
environment, grapes are farmed organically, handpicked at night,
and sorted by hand at the winery. In the cellar, all lots are
fermented using native yeast in large oak vats, and once dry the
wines are put down to barrel for their elevage. The use of new
oak varies by vineyard, vine age, and vintage and is used in a
way that only complements, never overshadowing the wine. After a
year or so in barrel, the wines are racked, blended, and
returned to the barrel for a few additional months before being
bottled, typically unfined and unfiltered.
Château Petrus, which is located on a plateau in the eastern portion of Pomerol, Bordeaux, gets its name from the Latin version of St. Peter. In 1961, Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the estate. Today, Jean-Francois Moueix, the son of Jean-Pierre Moueix, and his children, including Jean Moueix, own Petrus. The 28.5 acre vineyard of Petrus is situated at the top of the highest elevation on the Pomerol plateau and is planted to 100% Merlot grapes. The blue clay subsoils of Petrus are what make the wines so special. Petrus is distinctive as its entire vineyard is right on top of the clay, while neighboring vineyards only have a portion of blue clay in their soils. From this unique soil and terroir, Petrus only produces one wine.
Lucien Le Moine is a small House of Grand Crus in Beaune.
Established in 1999, this domaine remains a two person operation
to this day, with Rotem and Mounir Samoua at the helm. Mounir
learned and worked in a Trappist Monastery where he discovered
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He studied Viticulture and Oenology
at the ENSAM Montpellier, then spent 6 years working at
different wineries in Burgundy, other areas of France and
California, where he became fascinated by the ‘old way’ of
growing, vinifying and aging wines. One day, he decided to push
everything he saw and experienced to the exteme, with Rotem, and
built a small cellar dedicated to the ideas of purity and
typicity.
Rotem comes from a cheese making family. She learned
Agriculture both at the Technion and the ENESAD in Dijon and
oriented her studies towards wine. At the end of her title she
won a national prize from the French Academy of Agriculture for
a study on the Côte d’Or, then participated in many harvests in
Burgundy and California. She joined Mounir in 1999 and they
started Lucien Le Moine together.
Having studied, lived, and worked in Burgundy for several
years, they got to know many good growers in the region. They
decided that with these relations, the would dedicate their
devotion to quality in a small selected production of Crus. They
only produces only Grands and Premier Crus from Côte d’Or. They
try to have the most beautiful crus in each village, renewing
their selection every year, depending on the vintage. Their
small production and doing everything themselves allows them to
adjust and respond to each cru in each vintage.
Vineyard Brands has history spanning more than 40 years of buying wines from Domaine Ponsot - first from Hippolyte Ponsot, later from his son Jean-Marie, and most recently from Laurent and Rose-Marie. Domaine Ponsot’s history begins in 1872 when William Ponsot purchased a wine estate in Morey-Saint-Denis and set up his home there. His major parcels of land at that time were the Clos des Monts-Luisants and Clos de la Roche. His nephew and godson, Hippolyte Ponsot, took over the domaine in 1920, and in 1932 started bottling his entire harvest at the domaine, a rarity for the time. Eventually estate was passed down to Hippolyte’s son Jean-Marie, and later to Jean-Marie’s children, Laurent and Rose-Marie. Today, Rose-Marie Ponsot is the sole director of the company, seconded by Alexandre Abel. Unfettered by the latest fashions, Domaine Ponsot has always sought to express the richness of Burgundy terroir through natural cultivation practices. Human intervention is limited and only applied to the help that the vine needs. The family’s long tradition of letting nature take the lead work that today the vineyards are in exceptional condition.
In 1834, a full 100 years before the introduction of the A.O.C.
system, Antoine Jaboulet began to transform a sleepy region into
one of the most important quality winegrowing terroirs in the
world. Since that time, Paul Jaboulet Aîné has become the
benchmark in the Northern Rhône, with the iconic Hermitage ‘La
Chapelle’ being responsible for some of the greatest wines ever
produced.
Ten years ago, the Frey family purchased this historic
property and committed tremendous effort and resources to
improve upon the already legendary estate. They immediately
started converting the estate vineyards to biodynamic principles
and encouraging sustainable practices from every family grower
they work with. With each successive vintage the purifying
effects of these natural agricultural improvements can be felt
and tasted. This is one of France’s finest estates, the crown
jewel of the Rhône Valley. Oenologist and proprietor Caroline
Frey is producing the authentic standard for quality Syrah
across the Northern Rhône.
2021 marks the first vintage where the Frey family
dedicated a new label for the Hermitage wines under Domaine de
la Chapelle.
The Dal Forno family has been making wine since 1983. Located in Val D’Illasi, the estate consists of 65 acres of vines planted to traditional indigenous varieties of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina. The estate vineyards and farm are located where the slopes begin to rise toward the mountains and sit 1,000 feet above sea level. The loose, alluvial soils, meticulous pruning and scrupulous viticultural techniques ensure remarkable-quality grapes. The Dal Fornos use traditional methods to grow the finest fruit, and then employ modern techniques to produce the best wines — classic in expression and modern in purity. Dal Forno Romano is well-known for a number of superior wines that range from the region’s famous Valpolicella and Amarone to unique bottlings such as Vigne Seré, a passito dessert-style wine.
Château Haut-Brion’s vineyard is located in the commune of Pessac, just a few miles southwest of Bordeaux’s city center. It belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation, to the north of the Graves wine-growing region. The first vines appeared on the gravel hillsides of Haut-Brion in the first century AD. In 1521, Château Haut-Brion became the first Bordeaux vineyard to be named after its terroir, instead of the owner or the parish, making the estate the first luxury wine brand in the world. This led Haut-Brion to earn the rare distinction of Premier Grand Cru Classé (Classified First Growth) in the 1855 classification, the only cru outside the Médoc to receive this prestigious title. The success of Château Haut-Brion’s wines lies in its respect for tradition, its values, its unique expertise acquired over the centuries, and its innovative, modern vision. Through the wines, the estate aims to reveal the quintessence of our exceptional terroirs.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, Château Latour started to be highly recognized around the world, thanks to the reconquest of the British market and the development of the wine business in Northern Europe. The aristocracy and other wealthy groups of consumers became very enthusiastic about a few great estates, of which Latour was one. And that was how Thomas Jefferson, ambassador of the United States in France, and future President, discovered this wine in 1787. At that time, a cask of Château Latour was already worth twenty times as much as one of ordinary Bordeaux wine. The reputation of Château Latour was consolidated during the 19th century. It was confirmed in 1855, when the government of Napoléon III decided to classify the growths of the Médoc and the Graves for the International Exhibition in Paris: Château Latour was classified as a First Growth. The existing Château was built during this "Golden Age", between 1862 and 1864.
There are hundreds of “climats” in Burgundy identified by name, some of these have always been noted, recognized and praised for their ability to produce the most perfect wines. On the hills that embrace them, they occupy the most favored sites in the heart of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, where the soils and weather conditions are the most auspicious. These are the Grands Crus, exceptional vineyards that enjoy vast respect, barely 1% of the surface and less than 1% of Burgundy’s production. Yet these plots are where the worlds benchmark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines come from. All of the Domaine’s eight vineyards are Grand Cru. The organically cultivated vineyards lie on well drained slopes facing east and south-east. The average age of the vines is around 44 years. Soil supplements are limited to compost made from crushed vine roots, grape skins and residues from fermentation. To avoid compacting the soil with tractors, horses were re-introduced to cultivate the vineyards of Romanée-Conti and Le Montrachet. Five hectares in La Tâche and Grands Échézeaux are cultivated biodynamically, where the vines are only treated with natural preparations and according to a strict lunar timetable. The yields are extraordinarily low, just one of the reasons Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s wines are some of the most sought-after in the world. It takes the produce of three vines to produce one bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
In 2015, as Chef/Owner, Patrick opened Alo, which was awarded a
rare four stars in the Globe & Mail and named Toronto’s Best
New Restaurant in Toronto Life magazine. He was named
Outstanding Chef of 2017 (repeating again in 2018, 2019 and
2020) by Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, the same year Alo was
titled the nation’s best restaurant.
Following Alo,
Patrick opened an internationally-flavoured bistro, Aloette; a
new American restaurant, Alobar Yorkville; a space for
private-dining, Salon; and a takeout-and-delivery-optimized
edition of Aloette in Liberty Village.
One of the country’s leading chefs, a cookbook author and a
“farm-to-table” pioneer, James Walt continues to inspire his
guests, creating compelling regional cuisine based on local,
sustainable ingredients. A graduate of the Stratford Chefs
School, his impressive culinary career spans several of British
Columbia’s leading restaurants including a four-year tenure at
Sooke Harbour House and as opening chef to Toptable Group’s
sister restaurant Blue Water Cafe in Vancouver. James was also
Executive Chef to the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy; an
experience that helped shape the way he cooks today.
James is Whistler’s only chef to cook at the
celebrated James Beard House in New York City where he has
performed on three separate occasions. He has been voted best
chef in Whistler by Pique Newsmagazine and was inducted into the
British Columbia Restaurant Association Hall of Fame in 2011.
James continues to oversee Araxi, The Cellar by
Araxi, Bar Oso and Il Caminetto.
Executive Chef Brooke McDougall began his noteworthy career in
the fall of 1991, starting at the lively Blue Mountain Resort in
Collingwood as an aspiring line cook. Ever determined and
ambitious, this culinarian rose through the ranks to swiftly
become Chef de Partie, a postion he retained for 5 years.
While taking an apprenticeship under Executive Chef Scott
Gerrie at Carriages Restaurant, Brooke embarked on the Culinary
Management program at George Brown College. It was during this
time that Brooke was introduced to Mark McEwan. Mark was
impressed with Brooke’s abilities but held off employing him
until the completion of his schooling. Brooke used the
motivation to complete his studies in just over a year, and
began working for Mark at North 44 upon graduation in 1996.
The rest, you could say, is history. Brooke rose through
the ranks and quickly found himself as Executive Sous Chef at
the esteemed Toronto landmark. When Mark opened Bymark in 2002,
Brooke was a natural choice for the position of Executive Chef,
a position that he continues to hold today.
Chef Brooke has been a key part in assisting of opening
new establishments with in the McEwan Group over the years.
Known for his strong leadership in the kitchen, Brooke believes
in taking simple food to the next level by using the best
ingredients and preparing them with care and skill.
Daniel Boulud is Chef-Owner of several award-winning restaurants
and the Feast & Fêtes catering company. While he hails from
outside Lyon, France, it is in New York that he has truly
mastered the dining scene and is today considered one of
America’s leading culinary authorities. Raised on his family’s
farm in the village of Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, the chef
remains inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and menus driven
by fine ingredients. Since arriving in the US in 1982, Boulud
has become renowned for the contemporary appeal he adds to
soulful cooking rooted in French tradition. Among Daniel
Boulud’s many notable New York City restaurants is his flagship,
two-Michelin star, DANIEL.
Boulud’s culinary
accolades include James Beard Foundation awards for Outstanding
Restaurant; Outstanding Restaurateur; Best Chef, New York City;
and Outstanding Chef of the Year. He has been named Chef of the
Year by the Culinary Institute of America and Chevalier de la
Légion d’Honneur by the French government. Restaurant DANIEL has
been cited as “one of the ten best restaurants in the world” by
the International Herald Tribune, has earned multiple Michelin
stars and Wine Spectator’s Grand Award. In 2021, Les Grandes
Tables du Monde named him Best Restaurateur in the
World.
Upon opening in 2010, Frank's Kitchen has been rated a Top 10
Restaurant in multiple esteemed publications, and celebrating
their 15th year anniversary.
Most recently Chef Frank was
one of 8 Chefs invited representing Toronto's top talent to
compete in the Great Canadian Kitchen Party and won Gold. As the
Gold Medal winner, he went on to represent Toronto at the
Nationals in Ottawa to compete against the best of Canada's
Chefs each representing their city.
FK also received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
and the 2024 Dirona Award of Excellence, representing the top
restaurants in North America.
With an ingredient driven ever changing menu and exquisite
tastings, they are a local and international destination with an
extensive celebrity clientele.
FK is now an official Michelin Recommended
restaurant.
As one of Canada’s premier chefs, Lorenzo Loseto is renowned for
his innovative approach to cooking, his emphasis on bold
flavours and textures, and his use of seasonal, natural, and
sustainable food.
In his role as Executive Chef at GEORGE Restaurant, Chef
Loseto oversees the culinary direction of all properties under
the Verity Group of Companies umbrella including the restaurant,
Verity Club, The Ivy at Verity, and Sweetgrass Spa.
With a passion for providing the best of Canadian cuisine
combined with his classical training and international
influences, Chef Loseto has earned critical acclaim and several
awards including the 2014 Gold Medal Plates Canadian Culinary
Champion.
At the helm of Canadian fine dining, Chef Loseto continues
to create inspiring food experiences, ranking GEORGE as one of
the best restaurants in Canada.
For nearly three decades Jamie Kennedy has been instrumental in
shaping the culinary landscape in Canada. His innovative
approach to gastronomy, commitment to sustainable agriculture
and advocacy of local food have been unwavering.
Throughout his remarkable career, Jamie has applied the
slow food philosophy in every aspect of his downtown restaurants
and flourishing catering business. His seasonal methods of
cooking and involvement with the local food movement continue to
inspire progress in agricultural and gastronomical communities
across Canada.
In the coming years, Jamie looks forward to cultivating
his farm and vineyard with plans to open a tavern on his farm in
Prince Edward County.
Notably an influential leader in the culinary industry, Chef
Jason Bangerter’s career spans nationally and internationally,
working alongside some of the world’s greatest chefs.
Chef Jason’s unbridled passion for excellence is
fueled by his dedication to supporting and developing sources
for sustainable, responsibly produced ingredients. He has
successfully crafted a talented team that shares his philosophy
and vision. Living by example, he is equally proud of his role
as an innovator and a mentor, continuing to have a profound
effect on Canada’s culinary scene.
Langdon Hall
Country House Hotel and Spa welcomed Executive Chef Jason
Bangerter in 2013. Chef Jason’s philosophies have grown since by
creating a “taste of place,” with a focus on the freshest and
most flavourful ingredients on the property and surrounding
Meet Chef Mark McEwan, the "father of modern Canadian cuisine"
who revolutionized Toronto's culinary scene with innovative
restaurants like ONE, North44, Bymark, Fabbrica, and Diwan.
Chef
McEwan began his career as the executive chef at Toronto’s
upscale Sutton Place Hotel. This was a great honor as he was the
youngest chef in Canada to hold this position. There he had the
privilege of cooking for Pope John Paul II when the Pontiff
visited Toronto in 1984 and subsequently opened North 44, which
set a new standard for Toronto’s culinary scene. He went on to
launch McEwan Catering, Bymark, ONE, Fabbrica and Diwan which
have all been recognized as top restaurants in Canada by leading
publications like Miele Guide, OpenTable and Toronto Life
Magazine. Inspired by global food halls, Chef McEwan opened
McEwan’s Groceries which have 2 locations across Toronto.
Next up: Chef McEwan showcased his innovative approaches
to Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cuisine with
Diwan at The Aga Khan Museum. Now, Chef McEwan mentors budding
chefs in his kitchens—through his bestselling cookbooks and as
head judge on Food Network’s hit series Top Chef.
With a storied career working in some of the country’s most
esteemed kitchens, Andy Kitko leads the kitchen team at Oceans
as the Executive Chef. Kitko got his start in the hospitality
industry as an apprentice to Chef Sylvain Portay at The Dining
Room at San Francisco’s Ritz Carlton Hotel, and later, continued
to master his craft in Michelin-starred restaurants such as Café
Boulud and Aqua.
With a strong culinary foundation, Kitko later went on to
become the Executive Chef of several DC and Philadelphia-based
restaurants like Cedar, Oyster House and Butcher & Singer.
Continuing to climb the ranks, he joined One Group as Regional
Corporate Chef for the Northeast Region, specifically focusing
on the STK brand. It was in his most recent role, however, as
Executive Chef at New York’s Estiatorio Milos, where he truly
found his passion for executing a seafood-focused menu with a
simplistic approach.
At Oceans, Kitko believes that the kitchen is the soul of
the restaurant. He leads the culinary team in creating elevated
yet approachable dishes that highlight locally and globally
sourced seafood paired with seasonal produce.
Tony Loschiavo is an Italian born industry professional born in
the Calabria region of Southern Italy. Tony is an experienced
chef, sommelier, restaurateur and caterer.
After having worked in numerous capacities in some of the
city’s finest establishments, including Noodles, Fenton’s and
the Windsor Arms Hotel, Tony opened L-eat catering in 1983 and
Paese Ristorante in 1989.
Both businesses operate with Tony’s philosophy of quality
without compromise. Tony maintains a 2000 square foot organic
garden where we harvest herbs, vegetables and fruit for daily
use in Paese. His focus is on quality, sustainable ingredients
that are handmade and house-made.
Dr. Ian McGilvray is Head of Liver and Pancreas Surgery in the
Division of General Surgery in the Sprott Department of Surgery
and Research Director of the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN.
Dr. McGilvray is internationally recognized as a pioneer in
complex surgery of the liver and pancreas. His laboratory
currently focuses on translational research in liver physiology,
transplantation and liver cancer. Over the last few years the
laboratory has developed strong collaborations in nanomedicine,
and is actively developing nanoparticle-based therapies for
“reprogramming” liver grafts for liver transplantation, as well
as for treating primary and secondary liver cancer.
Chef Sash Simpson is a Toronto-based chef with an unforgettable
story. At eight-years-old, Simpson wandered the streets of
Chennai, India, as an orphan. In a remarkable twist of fate,
volunteers from the Families for Children orphanage found
Simpson while combing the streets. Without hesitation, they took
him in. Soon, Simpson’s charm won over the likes of the
charity’s founder, who adopted the 9-year-old and brought him to
Toronto to live with 31 brothers and sisters from around the
world.
Simpson was quickly exposed to international
cuisine and his family encouraged him to start working at North
44, a legendary five-star restaurant in the city, as a
dishwasher and busboy. With no formal training, Simpson’s
natural talent saw him quickly rise through the ranks from
Junior Sous Chef to Executive Chef. Nearly two decades later,
Chef Simpson is one of the city's most sought-after chefs, with
a thriving catering business and many high-profile clients.
Sash Restaurant and Wine Bar is Chef Simpson’s
premiere restaurant. Located in the cosmopolitan neighbourhood
of Summerhill, Toronto, Simpson’s signature blend of globally
inspired, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients marry his
past and present life, offering patrons a flavourful journey in
an approachable fine-dining atmosphere.
Chef Jackie Lin began his sushi career at the age of 18, and
after 12 years of traditional apprenticeship he opened Shoushin
in 2015. He uses wild caught seasonal fish only and apply proper
techniques to pursuit the ultimate balance. Chef Jackie also
emphasize on the harmony of the sushi rice and fish and it shows
his vision on his ideal way of Edomae-style sushi – simple and
delicious.
Shoushin has been awarded in Canada 100 Best every year
since opening and is recognized as one of the best sushi
restaurants in North America. Chef Jackie will continue to lead
his team to bring the ultimate tailor-sushi experience to the
diners.
Massimo Renzi, born and raised in Rome, was inspired by the
reading of Pellegrino Artusi to venture into the culinary arts.
He attended the “Cordon Bleu” and the “Café de Paris” cooking
schools in Rome, to refine his cooking skills. Then he crossed
the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Toronto, bringing with him his
own visions of modern Italian cuisine. He learned the importance
of continuity in quality, care, responsibility, and high
standards, striving to follow these principles throughout his
career. Chef Renzi has a deep respect for cooking and
high-quality ingredients allowing him to create and produce a
multitude of refined and delicious dishes.
His passion for cooking constantly inspires his way of
working and the whole restaurant, at all levels, is meant to
work like him. His main aim is to ensure his customers
understand completely the essence of Italian cooking. He aspires
to convey “passione, cuore, amore” to everyone who enters “Sotto
Sotto Ristorante”, trying to realize his vision as a
chef.
Dr. Harry Rakowski is Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at UHN. A dedicated professor and practitioner, Dr. Rakowski has taught hundreds of cardiology residents. His research interests include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy a heart muscle condition that is the leading cause of sudden death in young adults. He currently heads a world-class clinical and research program, which attracts patients from around the world for investigation and innovative management of this condition. Dr. Rakowski has been a pioneer in the development and clinical use of echocardiography, the most important non-invasive cardiac imaging test.
Toben Kochman, Co-Owner/Chief Culinary Consultant, of TOBEN Catering, has an impressive culinary history. He was formally trained at the Cordon Blue School of Culinary Arts, following which he worked at the two-star Michelin restaurant, Apiscius in Paris and the acclaimed Susur Restaurant before launching Toben Food by Design in 2005 with his sister Elana. Over the last 17 years the brother sister duo have catered every type of event imaginable, from celebrity galas, luxury brand events, Tech conferences, to intimate dinners with the Dalai Lama - you name it this company has done it. Toben’s team of highly skilled passionate chef’s change their menus seasonally tapping into regions and trends from all over the world. Always focused on supporting fresh, local product, Toben’s cuisine is truly hand crafted & customized to each and every event.
César Troisgros, born in Roanne, France, is the eldest son of
Michel and Marie-Pierre Troigros. He began his culinary training
in 2004 at the Paul Bocuse Institute, before continuing his
culinary apprenticeship in the best restaurants, such as Michel
Rostang in Paris.
César continued to hone his culinary expertise, traveling
the world to work with esteemed chefs such as the Roca brothers
in Girona, Spain, Thomas Keller in Napa Valley, and Claude
Troisgros’ in Rio de Janiero, before returning home to assist
with the opening a new Troisgros restaurant in Ouches, France.
Concerned by ecology and biodiversity, César has partnered
with Vivre Bio en Roannais, an organization committed to the
development of organic agriculture and ecological practices in
the Roanne region. His active participation in the safeguard and
preservation of the Bean of Auvergne, a disappeared heritage
variety no longer available at public markets, is integral in
sowing the agricultural future of the Roanne region.
César is also Vice Delegate and Representative for Chefs
with Relais et Châteaux in the Great East Rhône-Alpes region. He
was promoted Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit in 2019,
and received a Michelin Green Star in 2020.
BIO COMING SOON...
Dr. Kevin Smith is President & CEO of University Health
Network, Canada’s largest academic health sciences centre. Dr.
Smith has spent his career at the interface of the university
and research hospital and is passionately committed to the
mission of education, research and exemplary clinical care. Dr.
Smith is a pioneer in advancing integrated care models spanning
the continuum of health and social services.
Dr. Bryce Taylor is former Surgeon-in-Chief of UHN. Dr. Taylor
has had a long and distinguished career in medicine. One of his
major legacies was helping to develop a world-renowned program
of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery and transplantation with
clinical, educational and research goals. Dr. Taylor was one of
the original surgical leaders consulted by the World Health
Organization and the only Canadian site lead in a multi-centre
clinical trial. He developed a checklist shown to reduce the
rate of deaths and surgical complications by more than one-third
across eight international hospital sites, including UHN. It is
now the standard world-wide and a required organizational
practice by Accreditation Canada. In 2018, he was named a Member
of the Order of Canada for his impact on the teaching and
practice of surgery in Canada.
Dr. Kathryn Tinckam is Physician-in-Chief and the Dr. Charles H.
Hollenberg Chair in Medicine at UHN. Her clinical,
administrative and research activities focus on improving access
to transplantation for patients who are difficult to match with
donors, and increasing equitable access to transplantation at
the regional and national level. In all her work, Dr. Tinckam
focuses on a committed and rigorous approach to transparent
quality assurance and improvement with an emphasis on thoughtful
process design and implementation to drive system change.
Dr. Christian Veillette is Head of the Division of Orthopedic
Surgery in the Sprott Department of Surgery and Schroeder
Arthritis Institute and holds the Nicki & Bryce Douglas
Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery at UHN. Dr. Veillette is an
accomplished and internationally respected orthopaedic surgeon
with extensive shoulder and elbow speciality experience. He is
widely recognized for his leadership and innovation in applying
artificial intelligence and data analytics to transform
healthcare delivery.
Dr. Tom Waddell is a thoracic surgeon and scientist in the
Sprott Department of Surgery and Ajmera Transplant Centre at
UHN. His clinical interests include lung transplantation and
lung volume reduction surgery, lung cancer and especially
minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery. Dr. Waddell
operates a laboratory which focuses on alternative approaches to
the chronic shortage of donor lungs, especially stem cell and
regenerative medicine approaches to lung disease.
Dr. Richard Wennberg is Director of both the Clinical
Neurophysiology Laboratory and Mitchell Goldhar
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Unit at Krembil Brain Institute at
UHN. Some of his research has explored the use of deep brain
stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for epilepsy, the
neurophysiological mechanisms linking brain function and
behavior, and the biophysical bases of clinical
neurophysiology.
Dr. Brad Wouters is Executive Vice President of Science and
Research at UHN. Dr. Wouters is an internationally recognized
leader and cancer researcher, focused on creating an environment
that incentivizes, facilitates, and rewards excellence in basic,
translational, and clinical research across all elements of
UHN.
Dr. Gelareh Zadeh is Medical Director of Krembil Brain
Institute, Head of the Division of Neurosurgery in the Sprott
Department of Surgery, the Dan Family Chair in Neurosurgery, and
Wilkins Family Chair in Neurosurgical Brain Tumour Research at
UHN. As the Wilkins Family Chair in Brain Tumor Research, Dr.
Zadeh focuses on building surgical clinical trials for brain
tumor patients. Her clinical practice focuses on skull base
neuro-oncology, with dedicated general brain tumour clinic and
many multidisciplinary clinics that she has established at UHN
such as skull base, pituitary, brain metastases, gamma knife and
neurofibromatosis clinic.
BIO COMING SOON...
Dr. Phyllis Billia is Director of Research for the Peter Munk
Cardiac Centre at UHN. Dr. Billia aspires to understand heart
failure at a molecular level. Recently, her work has provided
the first direct evidence that manipulation of tumour suppressor
genes and metabolic factors can trigger cardiac regeneration.
In Dr. Billia’s laboratory, her team is exploring how to
coax the heart back into the cell cycle to make more heart cells
for the purpose of cardiac regeneration. Dr. Billia’s promising
new research may lead to the development of improved treatment
options to prevent the development of heart failure after a
heart attack.
Dr. Edward Cole is former Physician-in-Chief of UHN and previously served on the Board of Directors of UHN Foundation. He is founder and past Chair of The Canadian Transplantation Society Kidney Working Group and Chair of the Steering Committee for National Kidney Registries. In 2012, he received the Canadian Transplantation Society Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Cole’s major research interests are in immunosuppressive drugs and clinical trials in renal transplantation.
Tirone E. David is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and holds the Melanie Munk Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. Doctor David has published 480 scientific papers, 43 chapters in medical textbooks, and 6 surgical textbooks. He has developed numerous operative procedures to treat patients with heart valve disease, and one of these procedures is known as the “David operation”. He has received numerous professional awards. He received the Order of Ontario in 1993 and the Order of Canada in 1996. He was elected University Professor in 2004, the highest honor the University of Toronto bestows to its professors. The chair of cardiac surgery at the University of Toronto was recently named after him.
Dr. Michael Farkouh is the Peter Munk Chair in Multinational Clinical Trials at UHN. Dr. Farkouh is internationally known for his work on the management of acute coronary syndromes in the emergency room. He has a special interest and expertise in the field of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Dr. Farkouh chairs the numerous committees on diabetes and heart disease and is the founder of the Worldwide Network for Innovation in Clinical Research, an international trials consortium of 10 large academic institutions.
Dr. Thomas Forbes is the Surgeon-in-Chief of the Sprott Department of Surgery and the James Wallace McCutcheon Chair in Surgery at UHN. Dr. Forbes is a vascular surgeon and has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, editorials and book chapters and has given more than 100 guest lectures and professorships. His commitment to surgical excellence and support for the whole of the perioperative team, the recognition of the essential role of all members of TeamUHN – are key attributes Dr. Forbes brings to this important leadership role at UHN.
Dr. Brian Hodges is Executive Vice President of Education and Chief Medical Officer at UHN. He is a practicing psychiatrist and teacher. Dr. Hodges’ research focuses on assessment, competence, compassion and the future of the health profession. Recently, Dr. Hodges was selected as the next President-Elect of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Jonathan Irish is the Head, Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery at U of T. Dr Irish leads the Guided Therapeutics Program at UHN and studies the use of nanoparticle therapeutics for cancer. He is also Vice President of Ontario Health-Cancer Care Ontario where he is responsible for cancer services in the Province of Ontario.
Dr. Gordon Keller is Director of the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at UHN. A world-renowned stem cell scientist, Dr. Keller is the premier researcher, worldwide, in the application of developmental biology-guided principles to the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into therapeutically relevant cells, such as cardiomyocytes, hematopoietic cells and liver cells. In December 2016, Keller was named scientific co-founder of BlueRock Therapeutics, a next-generation regenerative medicine company.
Dr. Shaf Keshavjee is UHN’s Chief of Innovation and Director of the Toronto Lung Transplant Program at Ajmera Transplant Centre and the Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories at UHN. Dr. Keshavjee developed the world-leading Ex Vivo Organ Perfusion System to repair donor organs for transplant, which has significantly increased the number of organs available for transplantation and saving more lives. He recently led the world-first transport of donor lungs for transplantation via drone. This flight was the first step towards transforming organ transportation systems and potential use of autonomous aircrafts to ensure life-saving organs arrive faster, improving transplant outcomes for patients.
Dr. Michael Laflamme is a principal investigator and Robert R. McEwen Chair in Cardiac Regenerative Medicine at the McEwen Stell Cell Institue at UHN. Dr. Laflamme and his research team are developing cell transplants produced from stem cells that can regenerate damaged heart tissue. This will not only advance the efficacy of these transplants in preclinical models, but will shed light on their regeneration mechanisms, enabling future clinical trials.
Dr. Gary Lewis is the Drucker Family Chair in Diabetes Research and Sun Life Financial Chair in Diabetes at UHN. Dr. Lewis has made a number of important discoveries elucidating the mechanism of blood fat abnormalities in diabetes and prediabetic states. Dr. Lewis is a Principal Investigator of Diabetes Action Canada, one of the chronic disease networks funded through the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Initiative and undertakes translational research with active patient engagement.
Dr. Ian McGilvray is Head of Liver and Pancreas Surgery in the Division of General Surgery in the Sprott Department of Surgery and Research Director of the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN. Dr. McGilvray is internationally recognized as a pioneer in complex surgery of the liver and pancreas. His laboratory currently focuses on translational research in liver physiology, transplantation and liver cancer. Over the last few years the laboratory has developed strong collaborations in nanomedicine, and is actively developing nanoparticle-based therapies for “reprogramming” liver grafts for liver transplantation, as well as for treating primary and secondary liver cancer.
Dr. Rosemary Martino is a Senior Scientist at the University Health Network and a Professor and Chair in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. She is a renowned expert in swallowing disorders and leads large multi-site international clinical trials. Her research focuses on preserving swallowing using innovative therapies to improve patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes and has significantly informed clinical practice and established improved patient care.
Dr. Kenneth Melvin is a cardiologist at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at UHN. Dr. Melvin is currently also the Cardiology Network Leader of the Peer Assessment Program for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. His research interests currently involve the UHN-Technion Israel Institute of Technology collaboration with the McEwen Stem Cell Institute and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in an innovative project on cardiac stem cell research. This project promises to revolutionize cardiac care of heart failure and patients with severe heart attack damage. Additional areas of research in this project involve cardiac pacemaker stem cell transplants, which will hopefully someday replace the need for pacemaker implants. Dr. Melvin has been active at both Federal and Provincial levels in the fundraising and governmental participation activities.
Dr. Stephanie Protze is a principal investigator and Chair in Cardiac Regenerative Medicine at the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at UHN. In her current research, Dr. Protze is applying the pluripotent stem cell model to identify the signals that govern atrioventricular node pacemaker lineage commitment with the ultimate goal to decipher a complete lineage tree of the cardiac conduction system.
Dr. Harry Rakowski is Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at UHN. A dedicated professor and practitioner, Dr. Rakowski has taught hundreds of cardiology residents. His research interests include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy a heart muscle condition that is the leading cause of sudden death in young adults. He currently heads a world-class clinical and research program, which attracts patients from around the world for investigation and innovative management of this condition. Dr. Rakowski has been a pioneer in the development and clinical use of echocardiography, the most important non-invasive cardiac imaging test.
Dr. Vivek Rao is the Surgical Director of the Mechanical
Circulatory Support Program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and
Sprott Department of Surgery, as well as Medical Director of the
Toronto General Operating Room. Dr. Rao is a recognized expert
in heart failure surgery and has won numerous awards during his
surgical training, including being recognized as one of Canada’s
“Top 40 under 40” by Caldwell International and “Male
Professional of the Year” by the Indo-Canadian Chamber of
Commerce.
Dr. Rubin completed an undergraduate degree in physics and
physiology and medical school at McGill University. After a PhD
in Experimental Medicine, he finished General and Vascular
Surgery training in Toronto and joined the surgical faculty at
University Health Network (UHN) in 1995. Dr. Rubin holds the
rank of Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Rubin is currently the Medical Director of the Peter
Munk Cardiac Centre, and was previously Head of the Division of
Vascular Surgery at UHN.
Dr. Rubin’s basic science research laboratory was
continuously funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research for 19 years. His research focused on the way the heart
responds to injury and the regulation of the immune response to
infection. More recently, he led research into the drivers of
clinician burnout at UHN. Dr. Rubin is co-Chair of the US
National Academy of Medicine Clinician Wellbeing Implementation
Working Group and is a member of the steering committee led by
Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General and Victor Dzau, President of
the National Academy of Medicine an id a co-author of the US
National Plan for Health Workforce Wellbeing. Dr. Rubin led the
development of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre AI Team, which
currently has 125 active or published studies.
Dr. Rubin is the elected lead for the 17 Academic Health
Science Centre (AHSCs) Governance Organizations in Ontario,
which represent 8,000 academic physicians. He leads discussions
with the Ontario Medical Association and Ministry of Health
related to the $275,000,000 / year academic physicians
Alternative Funding Plan, designed to retain physicians at AHSCs
and support teaching of physicians, as well as medical research
and innovation. He is currently the co-lead of the UHN AI
Deployment Team, and co-led implementation UHNs electronic
medical record system, Epic. Dr. Rubin was the inaugural Chair
of the Ontario New Technologies Planning Committee, which
advises the Government of Ontario regarding funding for new
devices used in the management of patients with heart disease,
vascular disease or stroke.
Dr. Sam Sabbah is Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at UHN. Dr. Sabbah’s main interests are in quality improvement and patient safety, leading the development and implementation of numerous evidence-based order sets to streamline care and ensure adherence to best practice. He has contributed to innovative models of care that have reduced hospital admission and improved patient experience. Recognized with the first UHN Local Impact Award, Dr. Sabbah has built strong collaborative partnerships across UHN and with other healthcare organizations. In December 2020, he helped launch UHN’s new virtual emergency department, making it possible for patients to get remotely assessed by emergency medical providers.
Dr. Slomovic is the Vice Chair of Education for the Department
of Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, and the Clinical
Director of the Cornea Service at the University Health Network.
He is the past President of the Canadian Ophthalmologic Society
and previous Chair of the Canadian Cornea Society. Dr. Slomovic
is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto and
the Marta and Owen Boris Endowed Chair in Cornea and Stem Cell
Research at the University Health Network.
Dr. Slomovic
has trained over 50 fellows in Cornea from all over the world.
In 2001, he was awarded the Mentor of the Year Award by the
Royal College of Physicians of Canada. Dr. Slomovic has
published numerous articles in Cornea and Stem Cell
Transplantation and has lectured on these topics nationally and
internationally. On March 2014, Dr Slomovic was nominated by
Toronto Life as one of Toronto’s best doctors, and has been
nominated as one of Toronto’s “Top Doctors” by City Post for the
past 3 years consecutively.
Dr. Kevin Smith, O.Ont., KSG, is President & CEO of
University Health Network, Canada’s largest academic health
sciences centre and consistently recognized as one of the
world’s top 10 hospitals. Dr. Smith has spent his career at the
interface of the University and Research Hospital and is
passionately committed to the mission of education, research,
and exemplary patient care. Dr. Smith is a pioneer in advancing
integrated care models spanning the continuum of health and
social services.
Dr. Smith is a Professor, Institute for Medical Sciences,
Department of Medicine, Institute of Health Policy, Management
and Evaluation (IHPME), Rotman School of Management, University
of Toronto. Educated in Canada, the U.S., and the United
Kingdom, Dr. Smith began his career in medical education,
followed by leadership roles in university administration,
academic hospitals, and health systems. He is professionally
certified in Corporate Governance by the Institute of Corporate
Directors and the Harvard Program in Effective Governance and
completed the Wharton School CEO Program for Health Care
Leadership.
Dr. Smith was deeply honoured to be appointed to the Order
of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honour. For his
contributions to health care, he was made a Knight of St.
Gregory by His Holiness The Pope. He has been the grateful
recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Silver and Golden Jubilee
Medals. In 2024, Dr. Smith was named one of Newsweek Magazine’s
top hospital CEOs.
Dr. Smith has served previously in many roles including as
former Chair, Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario; Chair,
The Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Hospital
Association, and as a frequent advisor to governments and the
private sector.
Dr. Bryce Taylor is the former Surgeon-in-Chief of UHN. Dr. Taylor has had a long and distinguished career in medicine. One of his major legacies was helping to develop a world-renowned program of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery and transplantation with clinical, educational and research goals. He was one of the original surgical leaders consulted by the World Health Organization and the only Canadian site lead in a multi-centre clinical trial. He developed a checklist shown to reduce the rate of deaths and surgical complications by more than one-third across eight international hospital sites, including UHN. It is now the standard world-wide and a required organizational practice by Accreditation Canada. In 2010, he published a book on leadership entitled Effective Medical Leadership and in 2018, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada for his impact on the teaching and practice of surgery in Canada.
Dr. Kathryn Tinckam was appointed as the Dr. Charles H.
Hollenberg Chair in Medicine, and Physician-in-Chief at the
University Health Network in 2021. She is a Professor of
Medicine and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology at the
University of Toronto.
She has led internationally recognized clinical, research
and quality improvement initiatives in multi-organ
transplantation, in her prior UHN roles as the Division Head of
Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, the Quality Director of
the Ajmera Transplant Program, and the Program Medical Director
of the Laboratory Medicine Program, and in her national roles as
Medical Director of Transplantation, and Chair of the National
Kidney Advisory Committee at Canadian Blood Services.
As Physician in Chief, she is committed to advancing
equitable quality care, research, education, with a rigorous
approach to quality assurance and improvement, and an emphasis
on thoughtful process design and community responsiveness to
drive system change.
Dr. Christian Veillette is a distinguished Orthopaedic Surgeon at Toronto Western Hospital, part of the University Health Network, with a focus on shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery. An Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, he is renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive procedures and his innovative use of arthroscopic techniques. Dr. Veillette’s commitment to advancing orthopaedic medicine extends beyond surgery to his significant contributions in informatics and technology, where he has earned accolades for his leadership and innovation. His research interests lie in the intersection of healthcare and information technology, aiming to enhance patient care, clinical operations and medical education. As a respected figure in his field, Dr. Veillette’s work has a profound impact on both his patients and the broader medical community.
Dr. Tom Waddell is a thoracic surgeon and scientist in the Sprott Department of Surgery and Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN. His clinical interests include lung transplantation and lung volume reduction surgery, lung cancer and especially minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery. Dr. Waddell operates a laboratory which focuses on alternative approaches to the chronic shortage of donor lungs, especially stem cell and regenerative medicine approaches to lung disease.
Dr. Richard Wennberg is Director of both the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory and Mitchell Goldhar Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Unit at Krembil Brain Institute at UHN. Some of his research has explored the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for epilepsy, the neurophysiological mechanisms linking brain function and behavior, and the biophysical bases of clinical neurophysiology.
Dr. Brad Wouters is Executive Vice President of Science and Research at UHN. Dr. Wouters is an internationally recognized leader and cancer researcher, focused on creating an environment that incentivizes, facilitates, and rewards excellence in basic, translational, and clinical research across all elements of UHN.
Dr. Gelareh Zadeh is Medical Director of Krembil Brain Institute, Head of the Division of Neurosurgery in the Sprott Department of Surgery, the Dan Family Chair in Neurosurgery, and Wilkins Family Chair in Neurosurgical Brain Tumour Research at UHN. As the Wilkins Family Chair in Brain Tumor Research, Dr. Zadeh focuses on building surgical clinical trials for brain tumor patients. Her clinical practice focuses on skull base neuro-oncology, with dedicated general brain tumour clinic and many multidisciplinary clinics that she has established at UHN such as skull base, pituitary, brain metastases, gamma knife and neurofibromatosis clinic.
Dr. Camilla Zimmermann is Head of the Division of Palliative Care and the Rose Family Chair in Palliative Medicine and Complex Care at UHN. Dr. Zimmermann serves on numerous international committees including the boards of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Lancet Oncology, she is a faculty member of the European Society for Medical Oncology and Associate Editor for the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In addition to founding and directing academic palliative care programs, Dr. Zimmermann has built a large internationally recognized research program focused on early integration of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer.
Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri, who with his great vision and
passion understood the huge potential of wine in the Montalcino
territory. The estate was passed on to his son Giacomo in 1991.
The production started in the Eastern part of Montalcino and was
extended later in other areas. First came the Cerretalto
vineyard, a unique terroir in a natural amphitheatre that
overlooks the Asso river in which the old vines produced a
unique Sangiovese with small bunches of well distanced grapes,
from which a selective variety was grown that was used in their
other vineyards particularly in Tenuta Nuova.
The acquisition of Cerretalto was followed by that of Le
Cetine, Pietradonice and then Podernovo. All this by researching
the best soil and exposures so as to produce unique and
recognizable wines. The first Brunello harvest was 1978. This
was followed by Cerretalto in 1981, Rosso di Montalcino 1982,
Tenuta Nuova 1993, Pietradonice 2000, IrRosso di Casanova di
Neri and the last one IbBianco 2011.
They believe that wines are the fruit of the vineyard and
of man's labour. The care and passion in working the land must
consider the characteristics of the land, the microclimate, and
the grape variety, so as to produce a unique and distinct wine
able to express its territory. For over forty years their
evolution has been marked by careful, targeted choices that have
distinguished this estate and the wines produced, creating their
own style.
Castello di Ama was founded in the 1970s by a group of families
who had fallen under the spell of this magical place. They set
themselves the task of reviving Ama’s past glories and of
producing a Chianti Classico that would rank among the world’s
most prestigious wines. It was this wine, and the vineyards it
derives from, that forged an alliance between Lorenza Sebasti
and Marco Pallanti, who run the winery today.Lorenza is Roman;
the second generation of one of the winery’s founding families.
Winemaker Marco is a Tuscan born and bred, who honed his craft
partly on home ground, and partly in France. For more than 30
years they have dedicated themselves to making exceptional wines
at Ama. Marco was named Winemaker of the Year in the 2003
edition of the most authoritative Italian wine guide, the
Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia. In 2005, Castello di Ama was
named Best Winery of the Year by the Gambero Rosso wine guide.
San Lorenzo was ranked sixth in the Wine Spectator’s Best Wines
of the World list in 2010. Between 2006 and 2012, Marco served
two terms as the president of the Consorzio del Chianti
Classico, the renowned wine zone’s governing consortium.
Champagne Barons de Rothschild is a relatively new Champagne
house. While most date back to the 1880s, Barons de Rothschild
started in 2003, with their first harvest in 2005 and their
first release in 2009. The three branches of the Rothschild
family (Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild, and Baron Edmond
de Rothschild) came together to produce one of the world’s
finest Champagnes. Located in the heart of Champagne, the wines
are made almost exclusively from Grand Cru and Premier Cru
vineyards.
Chardonnay is the driving force in these great Champagnes.
It is the sign of a refined style. Its elaboration is a long and
delicate process: following a minimum aging period of 3 years in
the cellar, each cuvée has a very low dosage and rests between 6
to 9 months in order to develop maturity and balance. Champagne
Barons de Rothschild is the first project where the three
Rothschild branches collaborated on a project since 1744 when
the dynasty was born.
Château Margaux, a First Growth property, has been owned by the
Mentzelopoulos family since 1978. It has since consistently
produced some of the finest wines in the Médoc.
One of the grandest, most imposing buildings amongst the
Médoc châteaux, Ch. Margaux in its current form was built in the
early 19th century, although viticulture had been practised on
the estate for several centuries before. Château Margaux was
bought by André Mentzenopoulos in 1978, Greek by birth but who
had lived in France since 1958 and had made a fortune through
supermarket retailing. André immediately instigated much-needed
investment in vineyard and cellar. 1980 saw his daughter,
Corinne, take up the reins. Corinne’s shrewdest move was the
recruitment of talented young winemaker Paul Pontallier to
oversee the production.
Margaux wines are renowned for their perfumed elegance,
but this should not be construed as meaning that these are
light-bodied. Far from it, as the best have an enviable
structure, layers of complexity, and formidable length.
Vines first appeared on what is now known as the
Mouton-Rothschild estate in the early 18th century. Throughout
the 18th and first half of the 19th century the quality of the
wines increased steadily, save for a short period of decline in
the 1840s. This temporary fall from grace was to cost Mouton its
status as a First Growth wine when the 1855 Classification was
published. Rankings were decided upon by the prices the wines
had been fetching in the market place.
The Rothschild family bought the property in 1853, and its
reputation was rapidly restored. The driving force, however,
proved to be Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who assumed control
in 1922. He revolutionized the running of the estate.
Introducing château-bottling, as early as 1924, and instigating
the practice, after the Second World War, of employing a
different artist each year to design the label. His greatest
achievement was to have Mouton upgraded to 1st Growth Status in
1973, the only change ever to be made to the 1855
Classification. After his death in 1988 the estate passed into
the hands of his daughter, Philippine and since her passing in
2014, it is now in the capable hands of her three
children.
Ranked as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Classification,
Pontet-Canet has seen a meteoric rise in quality in recent
years. Over three centuries it has been owned by only three
families, the latest being the Tesserons, who acquired it in
1975. Alfred Tesseron took the reins in 1994, and under his
guidance, the quality has risen to the point where they are
producing wines at the level of the 'Super Seconds', and in some
vintages, they are the equal of the First Growths. Located
across the road from Château Mouton Rothschild, the 80-hectare
vineyard is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet
Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 45 years.
Under the ownership of Alfred Tesseron, Château Pontet Canet
stands apart in the Medoc thanks to its history, agriculture,
and biodynamic approach.
From the use of horses to cultivate the vineyards, to a
hands-off approach in winemaking, everything at Pontet Canet is
geared towards expressing its outstanding Pauillac
terroir.
Cliff Lede Vineyards was established in 2002 by Canadian born
Bordeaux enthusiast, Cliff Lede, following the acquisition of a
sixty-acre estate in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.
With a focus on producing wines from estate vineyards, Lede
tapped David Abreu, considered the best viticulturist in Napa
Valley, to replant the vineyards. Lede decided to name each
vineyard block after some of his favorite rock songs and
albums—from “My Generation” to “Dark Side of the Moon,” creating
what is known today as the Cliff Lede Vineyards “Rock Blocks.”
In 2005, a state of the art, 25,000 square foot winery and
cave system was etched into a hillside overlooking the estate
vineyards. Not only did Cliff create a beautiful property, he
also assembled an unrivaled team that shares his passion for
quality. Today, Winemaker Christopher Tynan crafts Cabernet
Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, with the flagship, Poetry
Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the steep eastern hillside
portion of the estate. In 2015, Cliff Lede Vineyards achieved
both Napa Green Land and Napa Green Winery certification.
Cliff’s love for creating and building things led to the
purchase of a small winery in the Anderson Valley in 2009.
Breggo Cellars was renamed FEL Wines as an homage to Cliff’s
mother Florence Elsie Lede, who dabbled in home winemaking.
Two years later, the Lede Family acquired the Savoy
Vineyard, a benchmark vineyard for Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
and Chardonnay. The winemaking philosophy at Lede Family Wines
has always been one of minimal intervention that allows the
wines to demonstrate a sense of place. Cliff Lede Vineyards,
Poetry, and FEL Wines form a complementary portfolio of wines
that are consistently exceptional in quality and true to their
source and vintage.
Domaine de Montille is regarded as one of the top producers in Burgundy and known for creating some of the purest expressions of Pinot Noir found in Burgundy today. Developed by Hubert de Montille, a prominent lawyer in Dijon, it began with 2.5 hectares of Volnay in 1951 - most of which was sold in bulk to negociants. Over the years he acquired further parcels in both Volnay and Pommard and today the Domaine owns approximately 17 hectares and is run by his son Etienne de Montille. The winemaking is traditional - partial destemming followed by a relatively long maceration period. The wines are aged in 20-30% new oak barriques and are bottled unfiltered. They are elegant, harmonious and benefit from 5+ years of bottle ageing to show their best.
Domaine Marquis d`Angerville consists of 13.5 hectares of vineyards, which includes holdings in no fewer than 8 Volnay 1er crus and smaller holdings in Pommard and Meursault. Pride of place belongs to the 2.90-hectare monopole of Clos Des Ducs in Volnay. This Domaine can trace its roots back to 1507 when its holdings were recognized by royal decree. In 1804, the Baron du Mesnil acquired these vines along with the monopole Clos des Ducs. The baron’s son bequeathed the property in 1888 to his then 15-year-old great-nephew, the Marquis d’Angerville, who later became the grandfather of Guillaume d’Angerville. Guillaume’s father Jacques ran the estate from 1952 until 2003 when his sudden passing made way for Guillaume and his brother-in-law Renaud de Villette, an agronomist who had worked alongside Jacques for fifteen years. The estate was reinvigorated with the addition of viticulturist and winemaker François Duvivier. Among its many accomplishments, Domaine Marquis d’Angerville was one of the first to estate bottle its wine. Guillaume is also the head of Climats de Bourgogne, the organization that successfully lobbied for the vineyards of Burgundy to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and which now acts as their steward.
Hugel & Fils, founded in 1639 in picturesque Riquewihr,
Alsace, France, is still 100% family owned and managed by its
12th consecutive generation of the family. They own 30ha of
prime sites in Riquewihr, mostly classed as Grand Cru, and
planted only with noble Alsace grape varieties. The Hugel family
pioneered late-harvest Alsace wines, Vendange Tardive and
Sélection de Grains Nobles and drafted the law that governs
their production. Born out of respect for these special wines
and a determination to guarantee quality and authenticity, the
law is the strictest in force in any of the French AOC wine
regions.
Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN or selection of noble
berries) are made much in the same way as Vendange Tardive but
are made with grapes affected by noble rot and must have a
higher potential alcohol and sugar level at harvest.
Vendange Tardive or late harvest wines are the sweet
jewels of the Alsace region and in particular, the Hugel family.
It was Jean “Johnny” Hugel that first used the term following
the 1976 vintage and who personally drafted the guidelines to
producing Vendange Tardive that would become law in 1984. The
law is strict and details several variables that must be
considered including sugar and alcohol levels, vintage
declaration, and vinification techniques.
The name 'Isole e Olena' came about in the 1950s when the De Marchi family purchased and combined two adjoining estates, 'Isole' and 'Olena', each of which dated back hundreds of years. The estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region and The Isola et Olena Estate, run by Paolo de Marchi, is yet another property that has seen a dramatic rise in quality over the last few decades. Paolo's family, originally from Piedmont, purchased the estate in the 1960s. His attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery was the driving force that turned quality around. The wines have Cepparello at their head, a barrique-aged Sangiovese classified as an IGT - because at the time of its creation in the 1980s a wine comprising 100% Sangiovese could not legally be labelled as Chianti. There is a Chianti Classico and a Vin Santo, as well as some excellent wines from the Collezione de Marchi label, including a Syrah called Eremo, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay.
One of the world's leading family-owned collections of estate vineyards and wineries, Jackson Family Wines planted their first vine in 1974 and has since grown to include 40 individual wineries around the world. They are known for crafting award-winning wines of distinct character and quality, with a focus on viticulture practices, responsible vineyard and natural resource management and meticulous winemaking.
Stephan Asseo, owner and winemaker at L'Aventure Winery, began
making wine in 1982, following his education at L'Ecole
Oenologique de Macon, Burgundy, France. In that same year,
Stephan established Domaine de Courteillac in Bordeaux. He and
his family later purchased Chateau Fleur Cardinal and Chateau
Robin in the Cotes de Castillion, Bordeaux. Over the next 15
years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious
craftsmanship and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron.
However, his true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law
would allow. In 1996, this led him, his wife, Beatrice and his
three children, including his daughter Chloé on a quest for a
great terroir, where he could pursue his ideal as a winemaker.
After searching for over a year among the world's great wine
fields, ranging from South Africa to Lebanon, Argentina to Napa,
they found Paso Robles. Stephan and Beatrice immediately "fell
in love" with the unique terroir of west side Paso Robles. The
rolling topography of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, the deep
calcareous soils, and the maritime influences of the renowned
Templeton Gap all combine to produce a world class wine country,
with the potential to craft some of the world's greatest blends.
It is here, in Paso Robles, that Stephan and his family began
their adventure, "L'Aventure" in 1998.
The spirit of L'Aventure is most evident in Stephan's
"Paso Blends,” such as Optimus and Estate Cuvée. Both wines are
Syrah/ Cabernet Sauvignon/ Petit Verdot blends. In these wines,
as well as in our Rhône blend Côte à Côte, the blending of
premium varietals increases the authenticity, complexity, and
balance of the wines. In this adventurous spirit, we find the
future of Paso Robles wines... great, balanced red
blends.
All the wines made under the Maison Louis Jadot label are
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wines from across the region.
Maison Louis Jadot controls today 240 hectares scattered across
Burgundy, from the Côte d'Or to the Mâconnais. Louis Henry Denis
Jadot founded Maison Louis Jadot in 1859. But even before then,
the story of Maison Jadot had its roots in the vineyards, with
the Jadot family's purchase of the Clos des Ursules, a Beaune
Premier Cru, in 1826. The négociant house, under the guidance of
Louis Henry Denis Jadot, expanded rapidly, with a focus on the
markets of northern Europe, an area he knew well as his family
came from Belgium.
His son, Louis Jean Baptiste, took over the management of
the company in 1900, and expanded operations by buying numerous
vineyards, including Corton Charlemagne and Chevalier Montrachet
Les Demoiselles. In 1954, André Gagey joined the company as
Louis Auguste Jadot's deputy. On the latter's premature death in
1962, André Gagey succeeded him as Maison Jadot's director. And,
in 1984, André Gagey's son, Pierre-Henry, joined the company. In
1985, in order to ensure the company's future, Madame Jadot
decided to sell the company to the family of Rudy Kopf, the
founder of the Kobrand Corporation and Jadot's US importer.
Pierre-Henry Gagey became the president of Maison Louis Jadot in
1992, and held an impressive 31 year tenure. Pierre-Henry’s son,
Thibault, is now Jadot’s Managing Director.
The Antinori family has been committed to the art of winemaking
for over six centuries since 1385 when Giovanni di Piero
Antinori became a member of the “Arte Fiorentina dei
Vinattieri”, the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. Throughout its
history, twenty-six generations long, the Antinori family has
managed the business directly making innovative and sometimes
bold decisions while upholding the utmost respect for traditions
and the environment. In 1900, Antinori added the Tignanello
vineyard to its portfolio, and Niccolò Antinori and his son
Piero began to experiment with then unheard-of winemaking
techniques and grape varieties. The first vintage of Tignanello
was released in 1971.
The most famous of all Antinori's wines, it was the first
in the Chianti region to combine Sangiovese with non-traditional
international varieties, and to omit white grapes, hence being
classified as a Vino da Tavola. It is now a Toscana IGT. The
estates in Tuscany and Umbria have been joined, over time, by
investments in other territories with an important potential for
high level wine both in Italy and abroad. Today, Albiera
Antinori is the president of Marchesi Antinori with the
continuous close support of her two sisters, Allegra and
Alessia, all actively involved in the business. Their father,
Marchese Piero Antinori, is the current Honorary President of
the company. Tradition, passion, and intuition are the three
driving forces that led Marchesi Antinori to establish itself as
one of the most important winemakers of elite Italian
wine.
The Squarano estate is located in the heart of the most
classical Valpolicella, on a gentle hilltop surrounded by
vineyards, cherry and cypress trees. Here the Marchesi Fumanelli
family have been cultivating grapes and producing prestigious
wines since 1470. Built in the seventeenth century by the noble
Fumanelli family one can still admire the inscriptions and
archaeological remains to be seen on the grounds of the villa,
including the vestiges of a temple dedicated to the Goddess
Flora, built by the Romans who planted the first vines over a
thousand years ago.
Since 1998 the ancient cellars, after careful restoration,
host once again the oak barrels for the ageing of the classical
Valpolicella wines. Fumanelli is one of the region’s largest and
most historic family owned wineries, having 78 acres of
exclusively estate grown fruit, within the walls of their
ancient property, eight miles from Verona. As Amarone
specialists, they deftly combine traditional and modern
techniques to produce authentic expressions of their distinctive
terroir.
The art of distillation has been a Nonino Family privilege since 1897. Quality, innovation, research, professionalism and love for their work are their distinctive mark. Orazio Nonino, the founder of the family, is ultimately followed by Luigi, Antonio, Benito with Giannola, Cristina, Antonella and Elisabetta. Orazio Nonino established his own distillery in Ronchi di Pavia. Until this point it had been only a moveable still assembled on wheels.
In 1926 Jolivet Family—father Louis, son Lucien— entered the
world of wine. This date marks the establishment of the Jolivet
and Son wine merchant company. Until then Louis and Lucien had
succeeded one another as cellar masters of Château de Tracy,
which is located in the Pouilly-Fumé appellation in France’s
Loire Valley. Louis and Lucien used to select the grapes, buy in
bulk, and bottle and sell the wines over the Sancerre area.
Over the years, Pascal has developed his own much
recognizable, pure and elegant style of wines. Pascal practices
a biodynamic winemaking, which, in viticultural terms, views the
farm as a cohesive, interconnected living system; such practices
extend from the vineyard to the careful handling of the fruit
postharvest in the winery. In Jolivet’s winery folllowing
harvest, vinifcation begins with light must settling followed by
juice fermentation with indigenous yeasts; next maturation on
lees is fundamental for the concentration and the complexity of
all Jolivet wines. The process is extremely natural and the slow
fermentations nourish and sustainably stabilise the wines using
very low levels of sulphur.
In 1834, a full 100 years before the introduction of the A.O.C.
system, Antoine Jaboulet began to transform a sleepy region into
one of the most important quality winegrowing terroirs in the
world. Since that time, Paul Jaboulet Aîné has become the
benchmark in the Northern Rhône, with the iconic Hermitage ‘La
Chapelle’ being responsible for some of the greatest wines ever
produced.
Ten years ago, the Frey family purchased this historic
property and committed tremendous effort and resources to
improve upon the already legendary estate. They immediately
started converting the estate vineyards to biodynamic principles
and encouraging sustainable practices from every family grower
they work with. With each successive vintage the purifying
effects of these natural agricultural improvements can be felt
and tasted. This is one of France’s finest estates, the crown
jewel of the Rhône Valley. Oenologist and proprietor Caroline
Frey is producing the authentic standard for quality Syrah
across the Northern Rhône.
In its 160 years of history, Pol Roger has carved out one of the best reputations in the circle of leading Champagne brands. For five generations, the descendants have been equally demanding and loyal to the winemaking strategies initiated from the very beginning. Located in the town of Epernay, the winery originated with Pol Roger in 1831, beginning as a wholesaler of wine. The prestigious house is a member of the Primum Familiae Vini and holds the Royal Warrant as purveyors of Champagne to Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1999, Paolo De Marchi and his son Luca began laying the
foundation to bring back the original family cellars in Lessona.
With the goal of bringing the legendary wines of northern
Piedmont back into the limelight. The first vintage 2004 was
released in 2006. Most of the vines owned by Proprietà Sperino
are in the historic district of Ori (meaning ‘gold’ in Italian),
so-called for its bright yellow, deep marine sands
characterizing the soil on the sunny pre-alpine plateau of
Orolungo.
Proprietà Sperino now counts eight hectares of vines, at
the foot of Monte Rosa. Six are in Lessona, split between the
Belvedere, Ormeggio, Castagnola, Rava and Covà vineyards. The
other two and a half make up the Madonna degli Angeli vineyard
around the hamlet of Forte, in Bramaterra country. The mineral
rich sands of this area are unique to the Piedmont. The cellars
are located in the old castle of Lessona, dating back over 200
years. This may be one of the most important and historical wine
restoration projects in Italy today.
The creation of Pym-Rae Tesseron Estate began with the purchase
of the property by Alfred Tesseron and Melanie Tesseron of
Pontet Canet in Pauillac in January 2016. Prior to that, the
property was better known as the Robin Williams Napa Valley
vineyard and estate. The name Pym-Rae is an homage to the late
Robin Williams as that was the name Robin Williams gave to the
vineyards. The inspiration behind the odd-sounding Pym-Rae is
quite simple. It combines the middle names of Robin William’s 2
eldest children, Zachary Pym Williams, and Zelda Rae Williams.
The Pym-Rae vineyard is planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon,
18% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. The Pym-Rae vineyard
currently includes slightly more than 18.5 acres cultivated with
vines that are planted high up on Mt. Veeder with an elevation
that is close to 1,500 feet.
Etienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Peters of Champagne have joined forces in this brand-new project. Located in the Santa Rita Hills of California, Racines is a combination of individual experiences coming together to hand craft small lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with purity and transparency. The heart of this estate is the former Wenzlau property, which they now control via a long-term lease.
Maison Remoissenet Père et Fils has more than a century of
winemaking history in Burgundy, France and is one of Beaune's
wealthiest domaines. The estate was established in 1877, at a
14th-Century building in Beaune and is best known for its grand
and premier Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Remoissenet Père et
Fils owns 13 hectares (32 acres) of vineyard land in Beaune and
Gevrey-Chambertin. The estate also purchases fruit from growers,
but by quality, not quantity, with bonuses offered where quality
exceeds expectations. Grand cru wines, both white and red, can
see up to 100 percent new French oak in the aging process, and
reds are neither fined nor filtered.
In 2005, Maison Remoissenet Père et Fils sold to a group
including New York financier Edward Millstein, Toronto's Todd
Halpern, and Maison Louis Jadot, when Roland Remoissenet retired
at 75 years old. The sale included the firm, vineyards, famed
cellar and everything in it, including old vintages of grand cru
wines such as Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet. Former president
of Louis Jadot, Bernard Répolt, heads the consortium of owners
of Remoissenet Père et Fils and has expanded production and
received positive press for the heightened quality of wines
produced.
Silver Oak began over a handshake between two friends with a
bold vision: focus on one varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged
exclusively in American oak and worthy of cellaring for decades
to come. Raymond Twomey Duncan, a Colorado entrepreneur who
began investing in California vineyards in the late 1960s, and
Justin Meyer, a winemaker and former Christian Brother, began in
a Napa Valley dairy barn in 1972, producing only 1,100 cases of
their inaugural vintage. Over the next two decades, Silver Oak
grew in popularity. Our Napa Valley and Alexander Valley
Cabernets sold quickly upon their release from the winery and
became a sought-after staple on restaurant wine lists around the
country.
After selecting Daniel Baron to succeed him as winemaker
in 1994, Justin retired, selling his share of Silver Oak to the
Duncan family in 2001. With David R. Duncan serving as President
and CEO and Tim Duncan as Executive Vice President, the Duncan
family continues to operate the winery to this day. In 2006, a
fire destroyed our historic Oakville winery. It was a difficult
and emotional event; but in hindsight, a blessing in disguise.
When we regrouped on the morning of the fire, we knew we had to
rebuild, and it wasn’t long before the excitement of a new,
state-of-the-art winery overcame our sense of loss. Today, we
are applying this experience from our LEED Platinum Oakville
winery toward a new winery in the Alexander Valley. Set amidst
70 acres of estate vineyards along the rolling foothills of the
Mayacamas Mountains, our new Alexander Valley winery will push
industry design and innovation standards through alternative
energy sources, innovative water reuse systems and reclaimed
building materials.
Snowden Vineyards is dedicated to the creation of classically styled, terroir-driven wines reflecting the unique heritage and character of their site. The Snowden family came to the property in 1955 – originally a 160-acre homestead. The family has always been determined to preserve and protect the natural environment of the ranch. To maintain a balanced and healthy ecosystem within the vineyards, they utilize organic farming practices and, in the cellar, make their wines with as little intervention as possible to ensure they honestly reflect terroir, vintage and variety. Winemaker Diana Snowden Seysses (also winemaker at Burgundy's iconic Domaine Dujac), from the family’s third generation as winegrowers, uses her new and old-world winemaking experience to produce elegant, balanced, wines showcasing the nuances of the site.
Gently push open the door of the Tesseron home in
Châteauneuf-sur-Charente to discover the family treasure: a
unique collection of the finest cognacs. This treasure trove
dates back to the nineteenth century when Abel Tesseron acquired
this property and began his collection of rare and priceless
cognacs. A tradition continued by his son and grandson Alfred,
who runs the business today and who also owns the prestigious
Château Pontet-Canet, a Pauillac Classified Growth in 1855.
Abel Tesseron created his own cognac company in 1905,
relying at the time on two separate estates, one situated in the
Grande Champagne area (Boneuil) and the other in Petite
Champagne (Saint-Surin). He adopted a long-term policy of
building up stocks of eaux-de-vie, carefully conserved in a
twelfth century crypt. These old and rare treasures, besides
achieving a great reputation amongst a small circle of
connoisseurs, have always been sought after by the big cognac
merchants, assured of the fine quality of the eaux-de-vie they
would use to complete their blends.
Vega Sicilia, Spain's “first growth” and most prestigious wine
estate, is located in Ribera del Duero. It was founded in 1864
by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, who arrived from Bordeaux with
cuttings of local grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec)
and planted them, together with Spain’s signature grape Tinto
Fino (aka Tempranillo) in the arid Ribera soils.
The winery began building its formidable reputation after
1903 under the ownership of Antonio Herrero, winning a number of
awards at home and overseas. The estate changed hands several
more times before its acquisition by the current owners, the
Álvarez family, in 1982. Vega Sicilia has now built up a
portfolio which includes Bodegas Alion (providing a more modern
expression of Ribera del Duero), Bodegas Pintia (in the emerging
region of Toro), Macán (a partnership with Benjamin de
Rothschild) and the Hungarian Tokaji estate, Oremus.