Fifteen Canadian wineries are going to ProWein this year

Photo: German-bound Okanagan vintner JAK Meyer

Meyer Family Vineyards and Burrowing Owl Estate Winery are the two British Columbia wineries that will join a 13-winery Ontario contingent this year at the massive ProWein wine trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany.

A group of Ontario wineries, along with several from Quebec and Nova Scotia, were at the first ProWein Canadian pavilion last year. Most were then represented by agents.

At this year’s show, which runs three days in mid-March, the 15 Canadian wineries are there in their own right, in a major Canadian pavilion.

This represents a serious effort by the Canadian wine industry to establish its profiles and its wines in overseas markets.

“You have some obligation to go to these events to raise the profile of B.C. wines,” says JAK Meyer, the proprietor of Meyer Family. “Ultimately, I’d like to find further export markets.”

ProWein started in 1994 and now is one of Europe’s leading wine trade shows. This year, there are 4,850 exhibitors from 47 countries. The show is expected to draw 49,000 trade visitors and 1,000 journalists.

“Our industry is excited to be back for ProWein 2015 where our wines will be shown alongside the best from the world,” says Magdalena Kaiser, the public relations director for Wine Country Ontario.

JAK Meyer sees this as a chance of “getting our wines in front of the right people.” He is taking three Pinot Noirs and two Chardonnays. One of those Chardonnays will also be poured at the “Discover the Wines of Canada” seminars lead by two leading British wine writers.

“The more our wines are out there, the more they will be talked about,” JAK says. “It’s important for us [Canada] to be known for more than Icewine.”

His winery is among a growing number of Canadian producers moving into export markets. “We are in six countries,” he says. “Volume-wise, it is just a drop in the bucket but we are getting exposure.”

These are the Ontario winery going to ProWein this year.

Colio Estate Wines, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario

Coyote’s Run Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Creekside Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Diamond Estates, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Flat Rock Cellars, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Henry of Pelham Family Estate, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Malivoire Wine Company, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Pelee Island Winery, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario

Pillitteri Estates Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

PondView Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Vineland Estates Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario