The story of Canada's entry into the world of world-class vintages.

In the late 1980s, the Canadian wine industry embarked upon a radical transformation. Faced with free trade, the end of government subsidies and Ontario legislation that banned native grape varieties from table wine, vintners got serious about planting and nurturing Old World vinafera varieties. Enriching their own growing experience by drawing on that of the global wine community's winemakers, Canadians began to produce award-winning vintages.

Renowned wine writer Tony Aspler has spent much of his career chronicling this impressive rebirth. In Canadian Wineries, he teams up with principal photographer Jean-François Bergeron and his colleagues at Enviro Foto to profile more than 60 of Canada's best wineries. To make a selection from the roughly 560 Canadian wineries currently operating, they imposed strict criteria, taking into account the quality of the wine produced and its sustained quality from vintage to vintage, the winery's influence on the direction and style of the wines in their region, the aesthetic appeal of the winery's property and setting, and regional representation.

The result is a gorgeous and compelling journey through British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, where we meet some of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the art of winemaking, enjoy a bird's eye view of their estates and are invited inside the state-of-the-art facilities where the magic happens. A beautiful appreciation of one of Canada's most inspiring homegrown success stories, Canadian Wineries also includes:

• Introductory histories to the winemaking traditions in each province
• Stand-alone profiles of notable Canadian vintners
• A seasonal guide to visiting wineries
• The story of ice wine: Canada's gift of winter to the world
• Ice cider: Quebec's winter wine
• Photographic essays that showcase the diverse landscapes of Canada's wine regions, fine local dining, local agriculture and regional heritage.

text by Tony Aspler ; photography by Jean-François Bergeron

Tony Aspler's profile page

Jean-Francois Bergeron's profile page

Canadian Wineries is tailor made for wine-loving gadabouts.

Toronto Sun

If you want to glimpse the inside worlds of the top wineries in Canada today, Tony Aspler's new, colourful, Canadian Wineries is hot off the wine press. The handsome book does not try to cover all 560 wineries from coast to coast. Instead, Tony constantly travelled from 2005 onward to visit prominent wineries in the main four wine-growing provinces. These include Nova Scotia and the Maritime provinces and wintry Quebec with an amazing 87 producers, all very small, certainly Canada's best kept wine secret... It's fun to see the winery profiles and drink in the stunning imagery, shot by Jean Francois Bergeron, of our greatest Canadian wineries and the iconic personalities who inhabit them. I am sure if you have done wine tours you will love seeing some of your favourite wineries.

Toronto Star

A good look at important wineries and the people behind them.

Gothic Epicures, Food and Drink Books in Review

There are approximately 560 wineries in Canada, and wine columnist Aspler, accompanied by photographer Jean-Francois Bergeron, visits many of them in this stunningly beautiful guide. Four geographical areas are explored: British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces. Each winery is given a greatly informative profile.

Booklist Recommended Books

There are approximately 560 wineries in Canada, and wine columnist Aspler, accompanied by photographer Jean-Francois Bergeron, visits many of them in this stunningly beautiful guide. Four geographical areas are explored: British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces. Each winery is given a greatly informative profile.

BOOKLIST Recommended Wine Books

A lovingly crafted collection of stories and images that will make even the most jaded sommelier excited.

Metro Toronto

Wine tourism is all the rage. Since California introduced the concept of wine tourism, visits to wine destinations around the world, including Canada, have become a feature of the good life. This beautifully illustrated and well-documented book encourages four-season travel in our own country, from British Columbia to the Atlantic provinces by way of Ontario and Quebec. The author suggests nearly 90 destinations where -- between harvests and tastings, wine workshops and cooking classes, on a spring afternoon, a fall weekend, or a winter's day -- the visitor can enjoy ciders and wines, white or red, still, sparkling or ice, and those who make them. A heady itinerary.

Plaisirs de vivre -- Living with Style (Montreal, QC)

(Wine Book of the Month) Bergeron and Aspler have roamed around Canada over the years in different seasons to produce what could actually be a wine-touring guide... A good look at important wineries and the people behind them.

Gothic Epicures, Food and Drink Books in Review

Tony Aspler needs little introduction. ... (His) knowledge of Canadian wineries and Ontario wineries in particular, is unmatched.

Spotlight Toronto

Tony Aspler, a celebrated Canadian wine writer and educator, has just produced a fine new work on Canadian wineries. No one is better qualified to take on this task.

Wood on Wine, Halifax Herald

Even with most wine aficionados plugging into the Internet for the bulk of their liquid knowledge, there's still a place in this world for some hard copy. Just in time for Christmas, the newly released Canadian Wineries...is the book Canadian wine fans have been waiting for. Focusing on more than 60 wineries--from British Columbia's Mission Hill all the way to Nova Scotia's Jost Vineyard--it's a lovingly crafted collection of stories and images that will make even the most jaded sommelier excited to visit these vineyards and drink their wines... The engine driving our vibrant national wine culture is our own wines, and if you're looking for a great guide to the excitement, Canadian Wineries is it.

Metro Newspapers

A must-read for the wine lover.

Shelf Reader

Canadian wine is on the up, and according to the author, is only going to get better.

Life in Quebec