Recognizing Excellence in Wine Lists Showcasing Ontario Wines - Does your wine list have 25% or more local Ontario Wines?
Consumers are looking for local and the VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence helps them find 100% Ontario grown wine when they are dining out.
VQA is Ontario’s appellation of origin system, Vintners Quality Alliance wines are 100% Ontario grown grape wines of origin.
Does your wine list have 25% or more local Ontario Wines? If yes, then apply now to become a VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence winner!
About the Awards
- Gold VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence is the most prestigious award that recognizes establishments when 75% or more of the wine list is Ontario VQA.
- The VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence commends restaurants that have 25% or 25 listings representing VQA wines on the list plus wines by the glass.
- The award is given by Wines of Ontario and includes many marketing and public relation benefits.
Eligibility
Any Ontario facility that has a license to serve beverage alcohol, which may include, but not limited to: restaurants, bars/wine bars, restaurant chains, hotel dining rooms, meeting and convention centres, caterers, private clubs and winery restaurants serving Ontario VQA wines by the bottle or glass. Licensee’s self-submit applications. There is no cost to apply.
Benefits for VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence Winners
- A full-page advertisement in the Autumn 2010 issue of Food & Drink Magazine recognizes the Gold award recipients and refers readers to the complete listing of recipients on www.winesofontario.ca.
- Award program is showcased in the Wine Country Ontario Travel Guide – over 500,000 printed copies plus online distribution (2011 issue)
- Public Relations helps profile award winners
- Inclusion in Wines of Ontario online database for year round reference
- Winners can post restaurant events with Ontario Wines on www.winesofontario.ca.
- Opportunities for staff participation in familiarization trips to Ontario’s wine regions and staff educational training
- Winners receive a framed certificate, for prominent display, that identifies your restaurant as an award recipient
- Use of the VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence logo on your menu, website and marketing pieces.
We look forward to receiving and reviewing your application, and awarding you the recognition that your restaurant’s outstanding local wine list deserves. If you have already submitted, thank you – we will be in touch in July to advise you of the status.
Applications are accepted year-round. To take full advantage of all the marketing and public relation benefits, submit by June 30, 2010. Download details and application form.
