This week on SASTV: Ratatouille! (aka how to deal with all the zucchin - Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
August 29, 2020


AUGUST 2025

Nature Girl: 10K Trail Challenge: Chasing Waterfalls Fitness Hike Aug 10

When: Sunday, August 10

Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

What:  Begin your day with a revitalizing yoga session in the serene courtyard of Sue-Ann Staff Winery. Then, set out on a 10 km guided fitness hike along the scenic Bruce Trail, where you’ll explore lush forests and take in the beauty of cascading waterfalls. After your adventure, return to the winery to unwind with a well-deserved flight of wines. A perfect blend of movement, nature, and indulgence!

$65 per person, find all the details at https://www.naturegirlexpeditions.com/product-page/10k-trail-challenge-a-fitness-hike-for-strength-endurance-aug-10

 

August 2025

THE BERNER BBQ

When: Sunday, August 24, 1 pm to 4 pm

Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

What: It's the winery's favourite day of the year! Sue-Ann and Brix Bravo invite you to their FOURTH annual BERNER BBQ!

Bring your dog to the winery for a relaxing afternoon of wine, music and new dog friends! All dogs are welcome, but most especially Bernese Mountain Dogs!

Enjoy our wines by the glass OR flight while making new friends with other dog & wine folks, PLUS live music by GEORGE TIRPKO, and food by SMOKE & MOONSHINE FOOD TRUCK!

This event runs rain or shine (lots of grassy areas if the weather's fine, and lots of shade and shelter under the Moyer Marquee). Seating fills up quickly -- bring a blanket or camp chair just in case! 

No tickets are required, but we’d love it if you would let us know you're coming. Send us an e-mail with the number of humans and dogs attending, and everyone’s name!


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/

 

SEPTEMBER 2025

Nature Girl: Waterfalls, Yoga & Wine

When: Saturday, September 13

Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

What:  Begin your day with a revitalizing yoga session on the serene grounds of Sue-Ann Staff Winery. Then, set out on a guided hike along the scenic Bruce Trail, where you’ll explore lush forests and take in the beauty of cascading waterfalls. After your adventure, return to the winery to unwind with a well-deserved flight of premium wines. A perfect blend of movement, nature, and indulgence!

$65 per person, find all the details at https://www.naturegirlexpeditions.com/product-page/hike-wine-sept-13

 

SEPTEMBER 2025

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/

 

Harvest Sunday

When: Sunday, September 28, 1-4

Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

What:  September's the best in wine country! You're invited to visit the winery September 28 for an afternoon of live music by Michelle Hedley in Sue-Ann's front garden. Enjoy music and wine surrounded by lush vineyards. Wine flights, wine by the glass and wine-friendly snacks available for purchase. 

 

November 2025

THE GREAT GRILLED CHEESE EXTRAVAGANZA

When: Saturday, November 1st 11-4:30, Sunday, November 2nd 11-4

Where: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

What:  Experience the best grilled cheese sandwiches of your life, each one perfectly paired with our wines!

It’s a celebration of Sue-Ann’s long-time love affair with inventive grilled cheese sandwiches. “Why have tomato soup with your grilled cheese, when you could have wine?”

Ticket-holders are welcomed with a refreshing sip of our Fancy Farm Girl sparkling before setting off on a delicious cheese adventure. Four fabulous grilled cheese stations are set up throughout Sue-Ann’s home, each one offering delicious sandwich samples with our award-winning wines.

$48.53 per person ($42.95+HST). Gluten Friendly timeslots available! Find all the details and buy your tickets online here: https://www.sue-annstaff.com/collections/events/products/sue-anns-great-grilled-cheese-extravaganza-2025

 


This week on SASTV: Ratatouille! (aka how to deal with all the zucchini & eggplant people keep giving you)

When one of our team members handed Sue-Ann a sack filled with eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes from his garden, she knew that Ratatouille was in her future. 

 

 

This classic Provencal vegetable stew is the perfect distillation of late summer flavours and can be served so many ways. Eat it hot with torn chunks of baguette, swirl it into hot pasta, or serve it cold as a chunky dip. Any way you have it, it's a delicious solution to the abundance of fresh veg typical of August. 

Ratatouille (from Once Upon a Chef)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large (1.25 lb) eggplant, cut into 1/3-inch cubes
  • Salt
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb), cut into 1/3-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 5 large cloves garlic, chopped
  • 5 large vine-ripened tomatoes (1.75 lb), cut into 1/3-inch cubes, with their juices
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme, plus more for serving
  • 3/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the eggplant and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and starting to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan (no need to clean it). Add the zucchini and cook, stirring frequently, until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and transfer to a plate; set aside.
  3. Add two more tablespoons of oil to the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking for about 3 minutes more. Do not brown. Add the tomatoes and their juices, tomato paste, thyme, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are broken down into a sauce, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the cooked eggplant to the pan; bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until the eggplant is soft. Add the zucchini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until just warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Sprinkle with fresh basil and thyme, drizzle with a little olive oil if desired, and serve warm or chilled. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  4. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Let the dish cool completely and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. (Keep in mind that the zucchini won't stay crisp after being frozen.) This is delicious served cold, or reheated in the microwave.

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