Rockton Agricultural Society Home of the Rockton World's Fair, Thanksgiving weekend

As part of the Rockton Agricultural Society which promotes and supports all forms of agriculture in Ontario; the Wine Committee is tasked with the promotion and support of individuals making their own wine and the industry around that endeavor. To that end the Wine Committee organizes and oversees a yearly competition for people who have made their own wine either at home or at one of the many area wine shops. That competition occurs every October and is part of the Rockton World’s Fair.

  • For an Individual
  • For a Wine Shop Owner
  • The Competition

Why Should You Enter?

  • It’s fun. Everyone who enters gets invited to the evening of judging which includes a free light buffet dinner and you get to sample the winning wines in each category. Our judging sommeliers are known for their whit as well as their knowledge. It is a fun filled evening.
  • Throughout the evening the judges and others will provide general hints on how to improve wine making. As for your submission; the competition is structured so that the entries are kept confidential. When you submit; your bottle(s) will be assigned a number that only you will know. That way when the judges make comment only you will know those comments are about your wine. This way it is constructive not embarrassing.
  • All entrants receive a gift and there are cash prizes for the top wines of each class.

Why Should You Become Involved:

  • Every wine shop that displays one of our competition posters will:
    • Be acknowledged on this web site.
    • Receive two tickets to the judging event described above.
    • At the judging your support will be acknowledged to the crowd both in print and by the Master of Ceremonies.
    • If any of the winners were wines made in your shop you will receive a certificate acknowledging that achievement which can be displayed in your shop.
  • But most importantly; by supporting the Wine Committee you are helping grow your own industry and client base. – And its FREE.

The categories of wine are:

  • White
  • Rosé
  • Red
  • Mead
  • Country
  • Social
  • Dessert
  • Sparkling

Refer to the Rockton World’s Fair prize list for the competition rules and regulations. This year’s competition is here they need to be submitted in September.

PAST COMPETITION

2019 Wine Prizebook

ENTER THE COMPETITION

SECTION 82
WINE

CO-CHAIRS: Dennis & Ena Kerr 905 627-5269
COMMITTEE: Jim Alton, Mike & Marie Cowlin, Joe & Terry Betzner, Ruth Lee, Dave & Janis & Maria Leslie, Robert & Elaine Pasuta, Kayla Pasuta-Lacey, Beth Robertson, Michael Tombolini
VOLUNTEERS: Kaitlin Catney, Margaret Tombolini

The Province of Ontario, through the L.L.B.O., has authorized the Rockton Agricultural Society to hold an Amateur Winemaker’s Competition with the co-operation of the Amateur Winemakers of Ontario. For the purpose of this show, provided the rules are followed (note in particular the entry requirements), it will be legal to transport homemade wine from the competitor’s home to the office of the Rockton Agricultural Society.

Rules and Regulations:

  • There will be a registered judge.
  • All wines judged must be made by amateur winemakers.
  • All wine entry forms are to be submitted to the General Manager by…..September 21, 2020.
  • Late entries will be charged $1.00 late fee per bottle.
  • All competitors must pay the required exhibitor’s fee of $10.00 to the R.A.S.
  • When the amount of prize money won by an exhibitor is $20.00 or over, $10.00 will be retained by the Society as the exhibitor’s fee for the following year, and a fair pass worth $15.00 will be enclosed with the new prize book.
  • A $1.00 fee must be paid per bottle submitted for competition.
  • Each entry must bear a tag supplied by the R.A.S.
  • All competitors must comply with all L.L.B.O. requirements.
  • No wines will be displayed, none will be returned.
  • Wine bottles must be standard green, clear, or amber, with either a cork or screw cap finish. Non-standard wine bottles will not be accepted.
  • Volume must not exceed one litre.
  • No distinguishing marks or labels on bottles.
  • Entries will be accepted at the Fair office, September 30, 2020, between. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. No entries will be accepted after this date and time.
  • Judging commences at 7 p.m. sharp, October 2, 2020. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
  • Each exhibitor may bring one guest. Attendance at the judging is by invitation only.
  • No single wine may be entered in more than one category. Only one entry per exhibitor per class, (e.g. only one bottle of white table wine per white table wine class).
  • Judging will be based upon the following criteria: colour, clarity, bouquet, flavour, balance, quality and sparkle where appropriate.
  • An entry not in its appropriate section will be disqualified.
  • All wines judged will become the property of Rockton World’s Fair, and will be disposed of according to the L.L.B.O. direction.
  • Any disputed judgment will result in the immediate disqualification of the disputant’s wine.
  • Please remember your exhibitor’s number.
  • If there are more than 20 entries in any one category, the category could be divided and judged into two or more sections, at the discretion of the judge(s). Winners will be picked from each of the sections of the same category.

Special prizes:

White Wine Special Prize: $25 Gift Certificate

Sponsor Main West U Brew Wines, Hamilton

Red Wine Special Prize: $25

Sponsor Don Graham

Champion Best of Show Prize: Gift

Sponsor Dennis & Ena Kerr

Chosen from 1st prize winner in each catagory

Reserve Champion Best of Show Prize: Gift

Sponsor: Robert & Elaine Pasuta

Chosen from remaining 1st prize winners in each category.

Most Points in Wine Prize: Gift

Sponsor R.A.S.

Classes:

1.

White Table Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

A wine to be served with lighter flavoured foods. The colour range
from colourless to straw or golden. Bouquet is fresh and crisp.
Sweetness may range from bone dry to medium. Made from grape or
grape concentrate, contains 9% to 12% alcohol. Residual sugar must
not exceed 2%.

2.

Rose Table Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

A wine to be served with food. Pale pinks, oranges, purples, and light
reds are acceptable. Rose wines are light to medium-bodied and
have an alcohol content of 9% to 12%. Delicate in bouquet and flavour
with a clean, refreshing aftertaste.

3.

Red Table Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

A wine to be served with richly flavoured foods. The colour range is
from light red through ruby and garnet with the tawny edge of a
well-matured wine. Medium to full-bodied with an alcohol content of
10% to 13%. Bouquet should be rich and full. A varietal bouquet
is very acceptable.

4.

Mead Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

A wine made from honey. It can be flavoured with fruits, flowers,
herbs, or spices. There are two main ways to make Mead. One is
balanced as a table wine to be consumed with food, and the other
is a social wine to be consumed on social occasions rather than an
accompaniment of food. Either is acceptable for judging.

5.

Country Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

Wines in this class must be made at least 95% from non-grape
ingredients. Oxidized and herbed wines are not acceptable. A wide
latitude of colour is permissible but the colour must be attractive.
The wine should be still; however, where appropriate, a slight touch
of spritz is permissible. The bouquet must be delicate and inviting.
Sweetness may range from dry to sweet. Alcohol must be in balance
with the character of the wine.

6.

Social Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

Non-sparkling wines of any colour, body, or alcoholic content.
Wine should be drank alone rather than accompaniment of food.
Any sweetness is acceptable.

7.

Dessert Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

A wine to be consumed with dessert. Alcohol is 13% to 15%.
Alcohol is derived from fermentation. Any attractive colour is acceptable.
The bouquet is fruity and full. Medium to full-bodied. Sweet and in character
with dessert. Aftertaste is clean but persistent.

8.

Sparkling Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10

Produces small bubbles that rise continuously throughout the duration.
Any colour is acceptable providing it is attractive. Clarity is imperative.
Dry to sweet wines are acceptable. Light to medium-bodied with 8% to
12% alcohol.

PAST WINNERS OF THE WINEMAKERS COMPETITION

WINNERS OF 2014
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
AMATEUR WINEMAKER’S COMPETITION

  • WHITE TABLE WINES
    1st  Matthew Hazaras
    2nd  Dennis Foster
    3rd  Shirley Conway
    4th  Lois James

  • ROSE TABLE WINES
    1st  Lois James
    2nd  Bill Hughes
    3rd  John Hazaras
    4th  James Cave

  • RED TABLE WINES
    1st  Elenea Jacob
    2nd  Steve Jacob
    3rd  Jan Bullock
    4th  Daina Mueller

  • MEAD
    1st  James Mckenna
    2nd  Mark Jamieson
    3rd  Calvin McDougall

  • COUNTY WINES
    1st  Dennis Foster
    2nd  John Hazaras
    3rd  Calvin McDougall

  • SOCIAL WINES
    1st  Calvin McDougall
    2nd  James Cave
    3rd  Dennis Foster
    4th  Mark Jamieson

  • DESSERT WINES
    1st  John Hazaras
    2nd  James Cave
    3rd  Mark Jamieson
    4th  Calvin McDougall
    5th  Dennis Foster

  • ICE WINES
    1st  Matthew Hazaras
    2nd  John Hazaras

  • SPARKLING WINES
    1st  James Cave
    2nd  Dennis Foster
    3rd  Bill Hughes

CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW donated by Dennis and Ena Kerr

James Cave

RESERVE CHAMPION donated by Robert and Elaine Pasuta

Calvin McDougal

HIGHEST NUMBER OF POINTS donated by the ladies of the Fair and Palatine Hills Estate Winery

Dennis Foster & John Hazaras

BEST RED WINE

Elenea Jacob
donated by Don Graham

The Amateur Winemaker’s Committee would like to thank judges Patti Polfuss and Peter Ferguson for their professional expertise, talent, and knowledge.

Gratitude is expressed to Jack Travis for capturing both the winners and the highlights of the competition on film.

WINNERS OF 2015
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
AMATEUR WINEMAKER’S COMPETITION

WHITE TABLE WINES

1st  Sylvain Carle
2nd  Chris Holman
3rd  James Cave
4th  Calvin McDougall

ROSE TABLE WINES

1st  Bill Hughes
2nd  Sylvain Carle
3rd  James Cave
4th  Chris Holman

RED TABLE WINES

1st  Calvin McDougall
2nd  Fred Waller
3rd  Patricia Lee
4th  Mark Jamieson

MEAD

1st  Calvin McDougall
2nd  Mark Jamieson

COUNTY WINES

1st  Calvin McDougall
2nd  Sylvain Carle
3rd  Mark Jamieson

SOCIAL WINES

1st  James Cave
2nd  Calvin McDougall
3rd  Mark Jamieson

DESSERT WINES

1st  Sylvain Carle
2nd  Mark Jamieson
3rd  Calvin McDougall
4th  James Cave

ICE WINES

1st  James Cave

SPARKLING WINES

1st  James Cave
2nd  Bill Hughes

CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW donated by Dennis and Ena Kerr

Sylvain Carle

RESERVE CHAMPION donated by Robert and Elaine Pasuta

James Cave

HIGHEST NUMBER OF POINTS donated by the RAS

Calvin McDougall

BEST RED WINE donated by Don Graham

Calvin McDougall

The Amateur Winemaker’s Committee would like to thank judges Patti Polfuss and Peter Ferguson for their professional expertise, talent, and knowledge.

Gratitude is expressed to Lynden Weggener for capturing both the winners and the highlights of the competition on film.

WINNERS OF 2016
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
AMATEUR WINEMAKER’S COMPETITION

WHITE TABLE WINES

1st Roger Loucks
2nd Bill Hughes
3rd Ena Kerr
4th Lois James

ROSE TABLE WINES
1st Chris Holman
2nd Bill Hughes
3rd Lois James
4th Calvin McDougall

RED TABLE WINES
1st Bill Hughes
2nd Steve Jacob
3rd Calvin McDougall
4th Susan MacGregor

MEAD
1st Calvin McDougall

COUNTY WINES
1st James Cave
2nd Calvin McDougall
3rd Allison Prowse

SOCIAL WINES
1st James Cave
2nd Calvin McDougall

DESSERT WINES
1st Alfy Rebelo
2nd James Cave
3rd Calvin McDougall
4th Dennis Kerr

ICE WINES
1st James Cave

SPARKLING WINES
1st James Cave
2nd Bill Hughes

CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW donated by Dennis and Ena Kerr

James Cave

RESERVE CHAMPION donated by Robert and Elaine Pasuta

James Cave

HIGHEST NUMBER OF POINTS donated by the RAS

James Cave

BEST RED WINE donated by Don Graham

Bill Hughes

The Amateur Winemaker’s Committee would like to thank judges Patti Polfuss and Peter Ferguson for their professional expertise, talent, and knowledge.

WINNERS OF 2017
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
AMATEUR WINEMAKER’S COMPETITION

WHITE TABLE WINES
1st Lois James
2nd Micheal Tambolini
3rd James Cave
4th Ena Kerr

ROSE TABLE WINES
1st Ruth Lee
2nd Bill Hughes
3rd Calvin McDougall

RED TABLE WINES
1st Roger Loucks
2nd James Cave
3rd Ena Kerr
4th Alfy Rebelo

MEAD
1st Mark Jamieson

COUNTY WINES
1st Calvin McDougall

SOCIAL WINES
1st Calvin McDougall
2nd James Cave
3rd Bill Hughes

DESSERT WINES
1st Mark Jamieson
2nd James Cave
3rd Calvin McDougall

SPARKLING WINES
1st Bill Hughes
2nd James Cave

Celebrating Canada`s 150th Birthday
A wine containing maple syrup
1st Mark Jamieson
& Roger Loucks

CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW donated by Dennis and Ena Kerr

Ruth Lee

RESERVE CHAMPION donated by Robert and Elaine Pasuta

Mark Jamieson

HIGHEST NUMBER OF POINTS donated by the RAS

James Cave

BEST RED WINE donated by Don Graham

Roger Loucks

The Amateur Winemaker’s Committee would like to thank judges Patti Polfuss and Peter Ferguson for their professional expertise, talent, and knowledge.

WINNERS OF 2018
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
AMATEUR WINEMAKER’S COMPETITION

White Table

  1. Roger Loucks
  2. Ena Kerr
  3. Brenda Spencer
  4. Ted Dredge

Red Table

  1. Ruth Lee
  2.  Brenda Spencer
  3. Scott Lowell
  4. Steven Jacob

Red Wine Special
Ruth Lee

 Mead

  1. Michael Tombolini

Social

  1. Alan Rogers
  2. Terry-Ann Betzner
  3. James Alton
  4. Alfy Rebelo

Dessert

  1. Brenda Spencer
  2. Scott Aird

Sparkling

  1. Bill Hughes

Champion Best of Show
Bill Hughes

Reserve Champion Best of Show
Michael Tombolini

Most Points in Wine
Brenda Spencer

WINNERS OF 2019
ROCKTON WORLD’S FAIR
AMATEUR WINEMAKER’S COMPETITION

White Table 

  1. Bill Hughes
  2. Brenda Spencer
  3. Alan Rogers
  4. Sherrie Kerr Riesling


Rose Table

  1. Brenda Spencer

Red Table 

  1. Lana Squizzato
  2. Larry Squizzato
  3. James Alton
  4. Fred Waller

Mead 

  1. Brenda Spencer
  2. Elvis Podvorac
  3. Jordan Scott
  4. Brenda Spencer 

Dessert 

  1. Brenda Spencer
  2. Scott Aird
  3. Terry-Ann Betzner 

Sparkling

  1. Bill Hughes 

 

White Wine Special 
Sponsor Wine Kitz Ancaster
Bill Hughes

Red Wine Special
Sponsor Don Graham
Lana Squizzato

Champion Best of Show 
Sponsor Dennis & Ena Kerr
 Bill Hughes

Reserve Champion Best of Show 
Sponsor: Robert & Elaine Pasuta
Bill Hughes 

Most Points in Wine 
Sponsor R.A.S.
Brenda Spencer

Committee Members

Dennis & Ena Kerr – Co-chairs
Jim Alton
Terry Betzner
Marie Cowlin
Ruth Lee
David & Janis Leslie
Robert & Elaine Pasuta
Kayla Pasuta-Lacey
Beth Robertson