Visitors to the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival have a chance to indulge in the stories behind the wine being served this weekend.

Continuing the long-standing tradition, Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) is hosting its popular Educate Your Senses wine and cheese seminars for the second consecutive weekend in Montebello Park.

Three seminars will be offered the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 29 at the downtown St. Catharines festival.

“Our more than two decades of bringing quality educational opportunities to the local community through offerings like the Educate Your Senses seminar series demonstrates the institute’s commitment both to the community and the grape and wine industry,” said Barb Tatarnic, CCOVI’s Manager of Continuing Education and Outreach.

“Over the span of 20 years, we’ve poured more than 10,000 glasses of VQA wine to festival-goers and celebrated 170 winemakers from this region,” Tatarnic said.

Each seminar features discussions with local winemakers, who pour two wines for the audience to sample alongside cheese pairings provided by Real Canadian Superstore. Last week’s sessions featured Stoney Ridge Cellars winemaker Jeff Innes, followed by David Stasiuk, winemaker at Rockway Vineyard, and Mike Pillitteri, Riverview Cellars.

All seminars are hosted by Christopher Waters, VINES Magazine editor and CCOVI continuing education instructor. Waters introduces attendees to some of Niagara’s top winemakers, including alumni of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program, as they share the experiences and stories behind their wines.

“It’s always fun to connect wine lovers and winemakers in Montebello Park,” said Waters. “It’s not only a great opportunity to learn more about the styles of wine made in Niagara vineyards, it’s the chance to hear insider information from the people directly responsible for the wine you’re enjoying.”

Educate your Senses, Saturday, Sept. 29:

• 2 p.m. Chris Holman (BSc ’15), Jackson-Triggs Winery
• 3 p.m. Eric Pearson (BSc ’04), Konzelmann Est. Winery
• 4 p.m. Dave Sheppard, Flat Rock Cellars

Location: Roy T. Adams Bandshell, Montebello Park, St. Catharines

Cost: Two tokens ($3.50 per token). Brock alumni will receive a free wine glass with registration and receive half off the seminar cost. Tokens are available for purchase at Montebello Park throughout the weekend. Registration for seminars will be at the Roy T. Adams Bandshell only. Seminars run rain or shine.

For more information, visit the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival website.