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The Insider’s Icewine Experience Prince of Wales offers unique Icewine Classic Weekend package
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Niagara-on-the Lake, ON January 2008 – For seventeen days in January, the Niagara region is transformed into a wintry wonderland, celebrating one of Canada's most cherished products, Ontario Icewine. From Gala evenings, ornate ice bars to roasting chestnuts, and winter tours along Niagara's famed wine route, the 13th edition of the Niagara Icewine Festival offers plenty for every taste.

Visitors to the festival’s host hotel, Prince of Wales, will experience first hand the luxury accommodations, exceptional service, world-class wines, and culinary excellence that has earned this property countless awards and accolades, including the recent honour of being one of only two Ontario hotels named on Travel & Leisure Magazine’s 2008 world’s Top 500 Best Hotels list.

Held exclusively from January 25-27, 2008, Prince of Wales will feature a limited number of Classic Weekend packages for culinary connoisseurs who are seeking an insider’s Icewine experience and gastronomic extravaganza. Whether you are picking grapes in the moonlight, attending educational seminars and tasting sessions, during this memorable weekend, the Classic Weekend package guarantees an unforgettable and enriching experience.

On Friday, January 25, the weekend commences with a Grand Tasting, offering attendees a sampling of a large selection of regional wines paired with the region’s finest fare courtesy of Niagara’s most celebrated chefs. Following the tasting, guests are invited to attend the weekend’s opening ceremonies, which include indulgence in Icewine martinis at the Ice Lounge. As midnight approaches, visitors will have the opportunity to experience an Icewine grape harvest at a neighbouring vineyard.

On Saturday, the Classic Weekend guests will gather at Queen’s Landing for an Ontario Culinary Showcase luncheon. This program features the culinary mastery of three Ontario chefs who will present one course each reflecting the culinary character of the chef and restaurant. Each course is carefully paired with the perfect Ontario wine match. Additional activities include the opportunity to participate in a series of winery and culinary seminars, such as East meets West Comparative Wine Tasting or “Matchmaker” food and wine pairing seminar.

In the evening, guests choose a Winemaker’s dinner, from a wide range of locations, from wine cellars to wine libraries. Hosted by the vineyard’s winemaker, this unique occasion affords a small group of wine lovers the opportunity to discuss food and wine in a memorable environment.

Queen’s Landing will host a celebratory brunch on Sunday to round out the weekend festivities.

Prince of Wales Classic Weekend packages, valued at over $1,500, are priced starting from $795 CDN per person, based on double occupancy. To secure a package, call 905-688-0212 Ext. 12 or reserve online at www.niagarawinefestival.com.

To enhance their Icewine experience, travelers from Toronto can also purchase round-trip tickets on the Via Rail’s special Classic Icewine car where they will be treated to food and wine activities en route to Niagara-on-the-Lake. VIA Rail's Classic Icewine car departs Union Station at 2.00 p.m. on January 25 and returns at 2:40 pm on January 27.

For more information visit www.niagarawinefestival.com

PRINCE OF WALES

Built in 1864 and named in honour of a royal visit in 1901, Prince of Wales is one of the world’s finest hotels, earning a No. 2 ranking on the Condé Nast Gold List for Ontario in 2006 and 2007, and is notably one of only two Ontario hotels to earn a coveted spot on the Travel & Leisure Magazine’s 2008 Top 500 Best Hotels list. Lavishly decorated guestrooms offer a unique combination of elegant antiques, crisp linens, gas fireplaces, and exquisite traditional brocades and tapestries. Facilities are also available for small meetings or executive retreats. The Prince of Wales is also home to Escabèche, a CAA/AAA four diamond rated restaurant that features the bold flavours of the region’s finest produce. Churchill Lounge serves classic pub fare in a cozy library setting or outdoor patio while Drawing Room honours the tradition of English High Tea. Secret Garden Spa offers a wide selection of services to soothe body and soul in an opulent oasis inspired by the classic English garden.

VINTAGE HOTELS

Vintage Hotels is a collection of three CAA/AAA four-diamond hotels offering 374 guestrooms, over 30,000 square feet of meeting space, three four-diamond restaurants, and two spas in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 100 Fountain Spa and Secret Garden Spa offer a wide selection of services to soothe body and soul. Offering classic style with modern sensibility, the hotel properties are the jewels in the crown of the Niagara region. The elegant and refined Prince of Wales and the classic yet charming Pillar and Post were tops in Ontario on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2006, with Prince of Wales repeating in the No. 2 spot in 2007. The Georgian splendour of Queen’s Landing sets the stage for everything from high-level corporate gatherings to romantic getaways to family vacations. Vintage Hotels is a proud partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. For more information: www.vintage-hotels.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Toronto Niagara-on-the-Lake Victoria Lord Colin Sines, Director of Marketing VLPR Inc. Vintage Hotels (416) 484-9047, x224 (905) 468-1362 ext. 8123 victoria@vlpr.com c.sines@vintage-hotels.com

Issue XXVII, MARCH 2008

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