VQA Wine and Craft Beer at Withrow Market

Some of the best vintners and craft beer are at Withrow Market!

We’re excited to welcome (or welcome back!) some great beer and wine vendors to the market this year. Many bringing drinks you won’t find at the LCBO or Beer Store. Let’s take a look at what each one is about and what you might see on Saturdays at Withrow Park.

 80x Wine Company

Hailing from the Niagara region, 80x Wine Company makes small batch VQA Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. It was born from the passion of two friends who wanted to try making wine – and make they did! Since 2015 Vadim and André have been experimenting and making some of the best wine in the region.

Good to know: Winemakers André and Vadim make their wines at Rockway Vineyards so you’ll also find their wine alongside 80x.

Check out: Their 2020 pinot noir called When Pigs Fly – plenty of fresh fruit flavours and pairs well with all sorts of food.

Market Dates: July 31, Sept 11, and Sept 25

Flat Rock Cellars

Flat Rock Cellars is all about two things – making great wine and offering great experiences – which is exactly what you’ll find at the market this year. In addition to making great wine, Flat Rock is also one of only 13 Ontario wineries to be a certified sustainability winery.

Good to know: Flat Rock’s winemaker also co-owns the Shawn & Ed Brewing Company, so you’ll be able to pick up a couple of their beers with your Flat Rock purchase. 

Check out: The Twisted Rosé. It combines flavours from different varieties of wines from years as far back as 2014!

Market Dates: Aug 7, Aug 21, Sept 4, Sept 18, Oct 2, Oct 16

Hinterland Wine Company

Not to be outdone by other wineries, Hinterland Wine Company specializes in sparkling wine. Using three different methods, they work with each year’s fruit crop to make bubblies fitting any occasion – or no occasion at all

Good to know: Hinterland is from Prince Edward County Ontario, a relatively new wine region. Enjoy them now and you’ll be able to say you knew them when!

Check out: If you’re feeling like an adventure, bring home their 2013 and 2016 Les Etoiles Traditional Method. Try them side-by-side and see if you can taste the difference.

Market Dates: Aug 14, Sept 11, Oct 9

Left Field Brewery

Located around the corner from Withrow Park on Wagstaff Ave., is Left Field Brewery. They’ve made a big name for themselves since launching in 2013 with their distinct, full-flavoured beers. But it’s not just about the brews for them – they’re also committed to using beer to build community. Stop and say hi to them at the market

Good to know: Left Field’s products all have baseball-related names because the owners, Mark and Mandie, are big baseball fans. 

Check out: If you’re looking for a beer that won’t knock you over, give their Gigante IPA a try. At 3.5% it’s a light, crisp, and easy summer brew.

Market Dates: Aug 7, Aug 21, Sept 4, Sept 18, Oct 2, Oct 16 

Muddy York Brewing Co.

Muddy York Brewing Co. is a well-loved Toronto craft brewery and we’re so happy to have them at the market this year. Their beers are handcrafted to be deliciously drinkable and impeccably well-balanced. 

Good to know: Muddy York recently announced a branding change, but they’re waiting until they run out of their current label stock before they unveil it. If you’re lucky you could get one of their last old-label beers, or be the first to see their new look!

Check out: Their Working Hard New England IPA, a super bright and juicy IPA with a mellow 20 IBU (international bitterness units).

Market Dates: July 31, Aug 14, Aug 28, Sept 11, Sept 25, Oct 9

Palatine Hills Estate Winery

The Neufield family has been growing grapes in the Niagara area for over 40 years, but it wasn’t until 20 years in that they decided to try their hands at winemaking. Since then, they’ve taken their incredible skill in the vineyard and translated it into wines we now get to take home and enjoy.

Good to know: Palatine Hills is a pop-up vendor, make sure to check the weekly chart on our homepage to see when they’ll be at the park.

Check out: If they have it, try the Wild & Free Meritage. Meritage is a fancy word for “Bordeaux blend”, meaning you’ll get an intense French-style wine from grapes grown much closer to home.

Market Dates: Oct 9

With so many wine and beer vendors, you are sure you find something new and interesting to take to your weekend BBQ!