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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. Her 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.
Dr. Tirone David is a world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Sprott Department of Surgery and the Melanie Munk Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery at UHN. Dr. Davidhas published more than 400 scientific papers, 38 chapters in medical textbooks as well as five surgical textbooks. He has developed numerous operative procedures to treat patients with heart diseases and one of these procedures is known as “David operation.” Dr. David is member of numerous surgical and medical societies and is honorary member of 15 international medical societies. He has received numerous national and international awards, notably the Order of Ontario in 1993 and the Order of Canada in 1996.
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 as 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 Head of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery at UHN. Dr. Irish leads the Guided Therapeutics Program and is interested in nanoparticle therapeutics for cancer. He is also Vice-President at the Clinical 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 Clinical 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 the Director of the Swallowing Lab at Krembil Brain Institute at UHN. Dr. Martino’s research focuses on dysphagia in the adult patient, with a particular interest in early identification and treatment. Ultimately, Dr. Martino’s research strives to ensure faster and more complete recovery from dysphagia and to reduce the negative impact of dysphagia on health and quality of life. More recently, Dr. Martino and her team are conducting a large multi-site international trial that will identify the most effective dysphagia treatment for patients with head and neck cancer.
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 Cardiac Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Fellowship Director, Cardiovascular Surgery at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Sprott Department of Surgery. 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. Barry Rubin is Program Medical Director and Chair of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at UHN. Dr. Rubin is Co-Chair of the US National Academy of Medicine Clinician Wellbeing Implementation Working Group and member of the steering committee that published the US National Plan for Health Workforce Wellbeing. He was retained by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to develop a Canadian National Plan for Health Workforce Wellbeing. He is the elected lead for 8,000 academic physicians in Ontario for the management of the Academic Physicians Alternative Funding Plan, which is designed to retain physicians at Academic Health Science Centres and support teaching, research and innovation. He co-led UHN’s Epic implementation, and was the first Chair of the Ontario New Technologies Planning Committee, which advises the Government of Ontario in regard to funding for new devices used in the management of patients living with complex cardiac and vascular diseases.
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. Allan Slomovic is the Research Director of the Cornea/External Disease Service and Director of the Ocular Stem Cell Transplantation Program at the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and the Owen & Marta Boris Chair in Stem Cell Vision Research at UHN. Dr. Slomovic is the past President of the Canadian Ophthalmologic Society and previous Chair of the Canadian Cornea Society. He has trained more than 50 fellows in cornea procedures 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. In 2014, he was nominated by Toronto Life as one of Toronto’s best doctors.
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. 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 is Physician-in-Chief and the Dr. Charles H. Hollenberg Chair in Medicine at UHN. 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, as well as in her national roles as Medical Director of Transplantation and Chair of the National Kidney Advisory Committee for Canadian Blood Services. As Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Tinckam is committed to advancing equitable quality care, research and 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 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.
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.