February 16, 2015
JUNE 2025
MUDDY PAWS WINE TRAIL
When: June 14 & 15, 2025, 12 noon to 5 pm
Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Westcott Vineyards, Featherstone Estate Winery
What: Muddy Paws is back! Featherstone Estate Winery, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery and Westcott Vineyards are collaborating once again for the ultimate canines n’ wines event!
At each winery, the ticket holder is entitled to:
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Bring their dog(s) to the participating wineries’ property to enjoy live music (1pm-4pm), a wine and food pairing for a human and treats for the doggies.
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Each winery will have designated doggie areas and activities, including trail walks and puppy games.
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A costume contest, pet photography in Featherstone Estate Winery's Barrel Room, local pet vendors and more.
Tickets: $55! Including taxes and service fees. https://3common.com/event/muddy-paws-wine-trail/679a590266cbc9d5f1a7a003
A portion of ticket sales supports the Bello Project. Tickets are final sale and the Wine Trail will happen rain or shine. Please note, dogs of all sizes and ages are welcome. Dogs must be healthy and friendly with all other people and dogs. Unfortunately, any dogs showing any signs of illness, aggression, guarding, or excessively barking will be asked to leave. Thank you.
JUNE 2025
The Pan-Canadian Wine Masterclass, 3rd Edition!
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
What: An incredible, dynamic gathering of winemakers and wines for one truly amazing wine tasting experience. Welcome to the 3rd Pan-Canadian Wine Masterclass hosted by Carl & Mira Boucher of Carl's Wine Club here at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery. Guests will taste wines from 13 wine regions across Canada, presented by the winemakers themselves. Enjoy the winemakers' stories about what goes in your glass while you are tasting. It's a unique opportunity to explore great Canadian wines right here at home in Niagara.
Tickets: $179+HST per person, available online: https://www.sue-annstaff.com/products/pan-canadian-wine-masterclass-3rd-edition-179-hst
June 2025
Summer Discovery Pass
When: June 20-22, 27-29, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery and other participating wineries in Niagara
What: The Niagara Wine Festival's annual summer Discovery Pass returns. Buy your Discovery Pass online and visit up to six participating wineries for innovative and delicious wine and food pairings. Watch this space for updates or visit https://niagarawinefestival.com/
August 2025
THE BERNER BBQ
When: Sunday, August 24, 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
What: Calling all dogs! Especially Berners! It's Sue-Ann's 4th Annual BERNER BBQ! Bring your dog to the winery for an afternoon of wines 'n canines. Enjoy our wines by the glass while making new friends with other dog & wine folks! There will be live entertainment, and we'll have a food truck on site to keep you well-snacked. More details to come!
September 2025
GRAPE AND WINE DISCOVERY PASS
When: September 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery and other participating Niagara wineries
What: The Niagara Wine Festival's annual Grape & Wine Discovery Pass returns. Buy your Discovery Pass online and visit up to six participating wineries for innovative and delicious wine and food pairings. Watch this space for updates or visit https://niagarawinefestival.com/
Run for the Grapes
When: Sunday, September 28
Race Times: Half-Marathon at 8:30 am, 5k at 8:45 am
Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
What: Run a half marathon or 5k and support The Heart & Stroke Foundation! Find all the details you need and register at the Subaru Running Series website here: https://niagararunningseries.com/running-event/run-for-the-grapes-1-2-marathon-5k/
FANCY FARM GIRL
Wines to Watch: Fancy Farm Girl...
Snap up these Fancy Farm Girl wines while you can — they're available in limited supply — and savour the craftsmanship of Sue-Ann Staff, one of Ontario's most successful winemakers.
This month, our featured Wines to Watch come from fifth-generation grape grower and talented winemaker Sue-Ann Staff, who combines her love of the simple life and finer things in Fancy Farm Girl wines. Pair Flamboyant Red, an elegant and approachable Cabernet Franc-Merlot blend, with appetizers, red meats, rosé sauce or milk chocolate. Refreshing and citrusy, Frivolous White is great with chicken, seafood or mild cheese.
FANCY FARM GIRL
Meet Sue-Ann Staff, the record-breaking, medal-winning Niagara winemaker at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Wines and Megalomaniac, and creator of Fancy Farm Girl wines. Here, Staff talks about getting dirty, cleaning up and the secret to fabulous wine.
Q. Your family owned the largest private vineyard in Niagara. What did you learn from that?
I learned not to be afraid of hard work. I used to drop my school bag and run outside to watch trucks loading up or help my grandma plant vines — there was always something happening. Life on a farm doesn’t stop at 5 or on weekends, but the work is wholesome and honest and I get so much satisfaction from it.
Q. What made you become the first winemaker in your family?
You can make a really great wine that tastes fantastic but if the pH is too high, for example, it will be a lovely wine for two months instead of two years. If the pH is too low, it might have an amazing shelf life but be unpalatable. The artistry of making a fabulous wine and the science of lining up the technical details is what appeals to me.
Q. Your wines have already won 500+ awards — more than most winemakers collect in a lifetime. C’mon, what’s your secret?
I got a degree in horticulture from the University of Guelph, then I studied winemaking in Australia. The University of Adelaide trained us for every imaginable condition, so that helps me deal with difficult vintages. I also like to drink really great wine. If I want to drink it, I’d better make it!
Q. Many wineries and farms have a dog around to help. What kind of dog does a fancy farm girl have?
That’s Brix, my five-year-old Burnese Mountain Dog. He’s my greeter: he’s with me wherever I go. Most farm dogs are shorthaired. I’ve got a purebred that has to go to the groomer every month to smell good!
Q. Your new wine labels feature the drawings of Francesca Waddell, a fashion illustrator whose work has appeared in Vogue. What inspired your Fancy Farm Girl wines: Frivolous Red and Frivolous White?
I’m not a typical farm girl. I renovated my family’s 120-year-old farmhouse to make it more glamorous. One minute I’m in the fields with steel-toed boots, and the next I’m at a gala wearing stilettoes. A fancy farm girl is authentically who I am, and I think there’s a little bit of that in all of us.
Watch this video to find out how Sue-Ann Staff mixes New World and Old World in her wines for Megalomanic. Or, check out this video to discover her favourite grape and her digital trick for making better wine.
2012 Flamboyant Red - $14.95 Loaded with bright red fruit and tannin on the finish that isn’t overbearing. This bottle isn’t just a flashy label… but let’s face it the artwork on both the White and the Red are fantastic. This Red blend is well worth the price of admission from the great 2012 vintage. This is drinking great right now with no need to cellar until a later date. The thing that’s great about this wine is that at the price point you can dress it up by pairing it with an expensive steak or fine roasted lamb or dress it down by matching it with pizza.
2012 Frivolous White - $14.95 This is a good easy drinking, well balanced Riesling that offers up a nice mineral note on the finish. There is some sweetness that rolls off the back of your tongue before it’s greeted by the crisp acidity. Flavours of apple and citrus are also what you will find in the glass. Pair with Roast Chicken, or lighter pasta dishes.
