Mr. Smackdown himself, Sommelier Will Predhomme chairs the day’s first session.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The “Next Big Varietal” Smackdown

Sure, Ontario is a burgeoning area focusing on Chardonnay, Riesling, and often Pinot Noir, but what about those other varietals, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Semillon? Proponents of each of these varietals will make their individual cases as we taste through some of the best examples of these lesser spoken of varietals, and at the end of the session the room will decide the victor.

Chair: Will Predhomme

The Teams

Team Gamay – Shiraz Mottiar, Malivoire Vineyards

Team Sauvignon Blanc – Craig McDonald, Hillebrand Estates

Team Cabernet Franc – Ritchie Roberts, Fielding Estates

Team Syrah – Rob Power, Creekside Wines

Team Semillon – JL Groux, Stratus Vineyards

Soho House North America’s Sommelier Zinta Steprans discusses the future of the Sommelier.

12 p.m. – 1 p.m. The Future Of The Sommelier (What is the state of the nation?)

Chair:  Jamie Drummond

Panel: Zinta Steprans, Wine Director Soho House North America; Mercedes Bachelet, One of Sweden’s top Sommeliers;

Veronique Rivest, Canada’s top Sommelier; Jennifer Heuther Master Sommelier, Cliff Lede.

Bruce Wallner MS, Will Predhomme, Jennifer Heuther MS, and John Szabo MS will all be speaking at this year’s Terroir.

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cool Climate Chardonnay Showdown

Acclaimed Swedish Sommelier Mercedes Bachelet gives us her international perspective on the reasons for Cool Climate Chardonnay being as hot as it is right now.

After her presentation Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner will lead us in his own take on the infamous “Options” game, where participants will have the opportunity to wine a number of terrific prizes.

Chair: Bruce Wallner Master Sommelier

Speaker: Mercedes Bachelet (Stockholm)

Always a controversial figure, we welcome back NYC’s Alice Feiring.

4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. Natural, Biodynamic, and Orange wines in Ontario: A Triumph of Technique or Terroir?

Chair: John Szabo Master Sommelier

Panel: Jeff Connell, Woodlot; Alice Feiring, The Feiring Line; Paul Pender, Tawse Estates, Ann Sperling, Southbrook; Laurie MacDonald, VQA.

Edinburgh-born/Toronto-based Sommelier, consultant, writer, judge, and educator Jamie Drummond is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution… And this wine lineup has to be the best yet.