Keeping the “i” in i4C 2021 – International Virtual Week

July 8, 2021

Our international producers are not going to be with us in person for i4C this year, but they certainly will be in spirit, and definitely in our glasses!

And to help keep the “international” front and centre as we prepare for the 2021 International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration, we’ve got five producers around the globe to check in with virtually. In the week leading up to i4C, you can “zoom” to Argentina, Australia, Italy, South Africa and British Columbia to get a cool insider’s view. (OK, it’s not all Zoom, some is Instagram Live!)

Update: Replays/pre-recorded content will be available shortly.

Here’s who and what we have in store:

DALRYMPLE VINEYARDS, Tasmania, Australia

Hosted by Pete Caldwell, Vigneron

Established in 1987, Dalrymple Vineyards produces single-site wines showcasing the expressive regions and terroir of Tasmania. Join Vigneron Pete Caldwell on Instagram Live @dalrymplevineyards for an introduction to the Tasmanian wine scene. You’ll find out why Australia’s southernmost state is so well suited to Chardonnay and come away understanding why Dalrymple Vineyards is so proud to be part of this exciting cool-climate region.

Monday, July 19, 6pm EDT, 30 minutes

Replay coming soon

HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS, Hemel-en-Arde Valley, South Africa

Hosted by Anthony Hamilton Russell, Proprietor

Enjoy a Chardonnay-focused video tour of pioneering cool-climate South African Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialists, Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Owner Anthony Hamilton Russell will lead you through a brief description of their appellation and then into the Chardonnay barrel cellar for a talk about wooding, yeasts and their vinification, ending in a quick tasting of their Chardonnay and a description of their style. He will then take you into a Chardonnay vineyard for a talk about soil, cover-crops, irrigation and canopy management. The tour will end with a visit to their nature reserve on top of the property overlooking the cold South Atlantic, where Anthony will describe their meso-climate. Anthony is currently celebrating his 30th year at the helm, and his property, its 40th vintage in the bottle.

Tuesday, July 20, 11am EDT, 30 minutes

PLANETA, Sicily, Italy

Hosted by Patricia Toth, Winemaker

It all begins in the Maroccoli vineyard, then we move by car to the Ulmo estate with the view of Lago Arancio, crossing the historic Chardonnay vineyard. Then we’ll visit the cellar, the historic place where Planeta has been making chardonnay since our beginning. We’ll end with a Q&A session with the winemaker, Patricia Toth.

Wednesday, July 21, 11am EDT, 30 minutes

Click here for the Replay

QUAILS’ GATE ESTATE WINERY, Okanagan, British Columbia

Hosted by Ed Tonner, Senior Viticulturist

Join Senior Viticulturist Ed Tonner at the Quails’ Gate Vineyard as he shares knowledge on growing Chardonnay in the Okanagan. Ed brings practical agricultural experience of over fifteen years from the Canadian regions of Niagara and the Okanagan Valley. Since graduating from the Winery and Viticulture program at Niagara College, Ed’s passion for wine has led him around the globe but he has found his niche back in Canada as a homegrown viticulturist.

“The Okanagan has an accelerated growing season with ample heat units to ripen most Vitis Vinifera, however, it’s critical to understand the impact of our marginal climate on plant health. By understanding our micro-climates, soils and past harvests, we can feed off experience and knowledge to elevate varieties that consistently perform well.”

Wednesday, July 21, 12noon EDT, 30 minutes

Replay coming soon

CATENA ZAPATA, Mendoza, Argentina

Hosted by Winemaker Ernesto (Nesti) Bajda with Marina Castillo, Canada Export Manager

Join Winemaker Ernesto Bajda and Canada Export Manager Marina Castillo on a 30-minute tour around Catena Zapata’s iconic Pyramid-shaped winery, followed by a tasting of two cool climate and high elevation Chardonnays: Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay 2019 and Catena Alta Chardonnay 2018.

Thursday, July 22, 1pm EDT, 30 minutes