Brock University alumni are invited to virtually connect with one another this holiday season with an exclusive online wine and flavour pairing event.

The experience is open to Ontario-based alumni and will be hosted by Brock alumnus Gabriel Demarco (BSc ’13), Winemaker and Viticulturist at Cave Springs Vineyard, on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Co-ordinated by the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) for the Brock University Alumni Association, the online tasting event is a part of an extended slate of Homecoming programming and celebrations.

“In this unique year, we have the opportunity to continue our Homecoming programming throughout the fall,” says Terry Cockerline, Director, Alumni Relations. “Wine tastings are such a long-standing tradition around Homecoming, so it’s only fitting that we invite our alumni and friends to safely gather, in a virtual space, to enjoy and celebrate together.”

Brock alumnus Gabriel Demarco (BSc ’13), Winemaker and Viticulturist at Cave Springs Vineyard, will host a virtual wine tasting for alumni on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Registered guests will be shipped three bottles of wine from Cave Spring Vineyards, along with flavour pairings and tasting notes for each. Each bottle can pour up to four glasses, allowing guests to share their virtual experience with up to three additional people within their household or social bubble. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, organizers ask that participants please follow the COVID-19 public health guidelines currently in place in their region when planning their evening.

On the night of the event, Demarco will virtually guide the attendees through a tasting of each of the wines and the accompanying pairings.

“I look forward to connecting with my alma mater to share stories of our time at Brock and my passion for wine and viticulture,” he says.

Demarco adds that he is “truly honoured to be both a Brock alumnus and an active member of the wine industry,” and that his experiences and training from Brock allowed him to “rise to the high level of expectation” placed on him when making wine at Cave Spring Vineyard.

CCOVI Outreach Manager Barb Tatarnic says the tasting provides a unique educational opportunity that simultaneously supports and strengthens connections between Brock’s growing network of alumni within the grape and wine industry.

“Since we were unable to come together at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival for our annual Educate Your Senses wine seminars this year, we’re thrilled to bring this exclusive virtual tasting experience to our Brock alumni,” she says. “We have such a talented and passionate network of graduates working within the industry and this collaboration with Gabriel and Cave Spring Vineyard offers a unique opportunity to share knowledge, build connections, and have some fun this holiday season.”

The event is open to Brock alumni currently residing in Ontario and will take place virtually on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Each flavour kit is $85 plus HST and shipping.

Spaces for the event are limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday, Nov. 27.

To register, please email d.cowan@cavespring.ca or phone 905-562-3581 x304

More information on the tasting and other alumni events can be found on the Alumni and Donor Relations webpage.