What grows together, goes together- Ontario wines find a place in farmers’ markets

To me, local food has met its perfect pairing with a new two-year pilot program to bring Ontario wines to farmers markets.

Starting immediately, the best wines produced in Ontario will be sold at farmers’ markets across the province. These Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA) wines are growing in popularity and this new program gives consumers the opportunity to match their local food with local wines.

Read more at RealAgriculture.com (http://www.realagriculture.com/2014/04/local-food-wine-convergence-great-opportunity-ontario-farmers/)

The current list of confirmed farmers’ markets to sell VQA wines is as follows:

Aylmer Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 6) – Quai Du Vin

Grand Bend Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 21) – Quai Du Vin

Covent Garden Farmers’ Market (London) (Start Date: May 8) – Quai Du Vin, Tawse (start date: May 10)

Masonville Farmers’ Market (London) (Start Date: May 9) – Quai Du Vin

Farmers’ and Artisan Market (London) (Start Date: May 10) – Quai Du Vin

Horton Farmers’ Market (St. Thomas) (Start Date: May 10) – Quai Du Vin

Willow Springs Winery is one of the VQA wineries in Ontario, and is located in Stouffville. Photo from www.willowspringswinery.ca

Woodstock Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 3) – Quai Du Vin

Stratford Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 3) – Quai Du Vin

St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market (Toronto) (Start Date: May 3) – Southbrook

Evergreen Brickworks (Toronto) (Start Date: May 3) – Tawse, 13th Street, Stratus, Southbrook, Cave Spring, Reimer, Hardie, Flat Rock

The Wychwood Barns Farmers’ Market  (Toronto) (Start Date: May 3) – Southbrook, Stratus

Brampton Farmers’ Market (Start Date: June 21) – Cornerstone

Missisisauga Square One Farmers’ Market  (Start Date: June 1) – Cornerstone

Hamilton Mountain Farmers’ Market (Start Date: June 1) – Cornerstone

Junction Farmers Market (Toronto) (Start date: May 21) – Tawse

Slow Food Perth County Market (Stratford) (Start date: May 4) – Tawse

Burlington Mall Farmers’ Market (Start date: June 1) – Puddicombe

Grimsby Farmers’ Market (Start date: May 29) – Flat Rock

Ottawa Street Farmers’ Market (Hamilton (Start date: June 7) – Flat Rock

Dufferin Grove Organic Market (Toronto) (Start date: May 8) – Reimer

Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Farmers’ Market (Start date: May 15) – Reimer

The Covent Garden Farmers’ Market in London is one of the markets now selling VQA wines. Photo from www.ontariossouthwest.com

For more information on VQA wines and wineries in Ontario, visit www.vqaontario.com.