WRDashboard

Fork Me on Gitlab

Video

Arts Faculty

Finding Our Future City: Health, Housing, and Humanity

-/-

519 Sports Online

Caledonia is the proud host of this year's GOJHL Showcase Weekend

-/-

519 Sports Online

District 10 football hands out their season end awards

-/-

519 Sports Online

Laurier Athletics recognizes their Academic All-Canadians for 2023-2024

-/-

Arts Faculty

Majors vs Minors in the Faculty of Arts at University of Waterloo

-/-

519 Sports Online

Kaeden Burger is having a blast playing NCAA Lacrosse at St. Bonaventure

-/-

519 Sports Online

David McMurray addresses student-athletes at the Laurier Academic luncheon

-/-

519 Sports Online

Bishop Macdonell football celebrate another successful season

-/-

519 Sports Online

Laurier's Athletic Director expresses her pride for Academic All-Canadians

-/-

Hacksmith Industries

Burning my shop down speedrun%! 🔥🏠 #top5 #fire #flamethrower #overwatch2 #engineering

-/-

CTV News Kitchener

Family displaced after fire rips through Kitchener apartment

A Kitchener family is looking for a new place to live after a fire ripped through their apartment.

CTV News Kitchener

Brantford Police Service hosts first 'Shop With a Cop' event

The Brantford Police Service is trying something new for the holidays.

CTV News Kitchener

Canadian food prices to increase 3 to 5 per cent: report

Canadians could be paying three to five per cent more for groceries next year according to Canada’s Food Price Report for 2025.

CTV News Kitchener

Christkindl Market returns to Kitchener

A staple of the holiday season in Kitchener has returned.

Arts Faculty

What’s in a Bachelor of Arts in the Faculty of Arts at University of Waterloo?

-/-

CTV News Kitchener

Police looking for shoplifters after theft from Burford LCBO

Brant County Ontario Provincial Police are looking for suspects after a theft from a small community near Brantford.

Spoke Online

FEATURE: From vine to wine: Uncorking day trip to Kacaba Vineyards & Winery

♦

Photos by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

(Pictured left to right) The logo for Kacaba Vineyards & Winery on a gift box in Vineland, Ont., with Charles Gervais holding a bottle of wine from a signature 2022 collection inside the entrance of the winery, on Nov. 15, 2024.

For all 6,994 days of my life, I have not been a fan of wine. 

Whenever I would have sips of it growing up, the bitter taste shot through my body like a volt of electricity. It did not matter what type of wine either; it all tasted the same to me.

I always told myself I would give it a proper shot when I was old enough. Now that I was 19, I figured the best way to see if I liked wine was to go to a winery. 

The memory of the bitter taste slowly returned to my mouth just as I made my way through the gates of the winery entrance. I was startled when my passenger broke the silence.

“Why are you making that face… are you chewing something… why are you doing that,” my passenger asked. 

The passenger in question was my grandmother (Grandma), Deane Fisler. She had been to many renowned wineries around the world, especially in places around southern France like Bordeaux and Provence. 

This was not Bordeaux though, or so we thought. This was Vineland, Ontario. More specifically, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery. 

♦

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Kacaba Vineyards & Winery (pictured) is located in Vineland, Ont., which happens to be home to dozens of wineries. The unique weather and landscape are big factors into what makes this area so special in terms of winemaking.

The bitter taste still lingered as we jumped out of the car, and I still had some uncertainties about the situation. 

“Is this typically what a winery looks like? It seems somewhat small,” I inquired.

“Stop asking questions, all that matters is the taste, nothing else,” Grandma ranted.

Okay. Quality is king. As we walked up to the entrance, a man with blue-rimmed glasses, neat hair and a black jacket greeted us. 

Charles Gervais is the Founder’s Club Liaison at the winery. 

Before we even had time to think, he sprung into action, and started explaining various factors about the wine.

“Our prices are approachable… we’re not trying to squeeze every nickel out of our customers. We’re into providing a really good wine and something that is still reachable and applicable to all our customers,” Gervais said.

“The grapes you’re growing here are going to be very different from the grapes you’re going to be growing on the sandy soil on the old lakebed or the clay soil on top of the Niagara Escarpment,” Gervais continued.

Wow! So much information at once. Although I was overwhelmed, much like Grandma seemed as well, it was really interesting knowledge that I never would’ve known if it wasn’t for Gervais’ wealth of insight on wine.

“These soils are almost identical to the soils in Bordeaux, France,” Gervais said.

My jaw dropped and so did Grandma’s. 

“We were just talking about that on the way in… isn’t that something… I would’ve never thought about this region being similar to Bordeaux,” Grandma said.

It’s like he could hear us talking on our drive in. 

♦

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Charles Gervais (pictured) explains the fermentation portion of the winemaking process at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery in Vineland, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

As we continued through the venue, Gervais eventually led us to the wine tasting section, where we began sampling a multitude of choices they had in their wine selection.

He explained how Kacaba focused almost exclusively on red wines, while still producing a few different white wines. 

We started with Effervescence Sparkling. Since I hadn’t ever really drank wine, I downed the wine with one gulp. Big mistake. 

My Grandma had mentioned previously that although she had experience drinking wine, she had fallen out of love with it. This wine, however, had her captivated. 

“Wow, this is quite good. This is something I could drink like every day,” Grandma raved. 

I agreed. It was a welcoming wine; it almost tasted like juice. I liked it. Wow. I liked it. 

Gervais continued moving up in the intensity of wine, which I liked a lot. Everything Gervais did was incredibly calculated and with reason. 

He compared the Proprietor’s Block Syrah and the Terraced Vineyard Syrah as the drinker and the thinker. 

It was just one of the many times while I tasted each sample where I understood completely what he meant. 

Whether it was the texture, the taste, the overall experience of the wine swishing around before you swallow it, it was just spot on every time. It was uncanny. 

♦

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

One of the many barrels which is used for the aging segment of the winemaking process found at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery in Vineland, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

After our taste tour, we ventured onto other parts of the winery. 

Gervais led us to the cellar, where a boatload of barrels could be found. These barrels contained all the different varieties of wine Kacaba sells. 

I was stunned by the sheer volume of barrels; Grandma informed me that this was quite normal. My bad, still my first game in the big leagues.

We were then led to a room with these huge cylinders, which is where the magic happens in the winemaking process. This is where the grapes went after being pressed, so all the other key ingredients needed to make wine could be added, beginning the fermentation stage. 

♦

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Fermentation tanks were one of the crucial pieces of equipment used in the winemaking process at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery in Vineland, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Growing up, I always heard through the grapevine that winemaking was an art. I never fully understood that until I experienced all that Kacaba had to offer. 

Every small detail mattered in this process. Gervais and so many others dedicated their life practically year in and year out to get every little part of the process right. 

There is something admirable about being able to provide a consistent product. The process is like a dance routine. They have practised over and over what each person needs to do and what the overall process and product will be like; and they’ve mastered it.

♦

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Vines weave past a fencepost weeks after the grape harvesting at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery that took place on Nov. 4, 2024.

After the tour concluded, Grandma was convinced. She had fallen in love with wine again.

“Rowen, don’t let me buy too many bottles… I need to save some so me and Grandpa can come back and get more,” Grandma said.

I promised her I would not. She ended up buying a few different bottles, and then we were on our way. 

I was mesmerized. An opinion that lasted my whole life had disappeared into thin air. This was definitely something I could get used to. 

“Grandma, I think I love wine too,” I said.


CTV News Kitchener

jeewan chanicka no longer Waterloo Regional District School Board director

The Waterloo Region District School Board is under new leadership.

Conestoga Connected

Latte Layers Episode 4

This week on Latte Layers, we visit Good Earth Coffee House, where they focus on ethical sourcing for their coffee. Join us as we talk with the manager and a frequent customer and find out about their specialties.


Conestoga Connected

Quzzing Companions Episode 4


Conestoga Connected

Brews & Tunes Episode 4

In this episode, host Logan MacNeill heads to Four Fathers Brewing in Cambridge to discover their in-house brews and meet Canadian Polka Legend Walter Ostanek.


Conestoga Connected

The Student Spotlight Episode 4


Conestoga Connected

Thrifting Around Episode 4


Conestoga Connected

Tech Talk Episode 4


Conestoga Connected

Beyond The Grave Episode 4

In this episode, host Logan Knowles takes viewers on a thrilling journey through the eerie side of the Homer Watson Art Gallery. Delving into its haunted history and mysterious tales, Logan uncovers the darker, more chilling aspects of the gallery, offering a spine-tingling exploration that art and horror enthusiasts won’t want to miss.


Conestoga Connected

Beyond The Game Episode 4

In our final episode, we head back to the court, as we interview two Conestoga Varsity Volleyball players and learn the story of Alex Gadson.

CTV News Kitchener

'Enough is enough:' Doug Ford says municipalities will be given 'enhanced tools' to respond to encampments

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is promising new legislation to target homeless encampments around the province and is threatening to use the notwithstanding clause to get it done.

519 Sports Online

Matthew Stam is the MVP this season in District 10 football

-/-

CTV News Kitchener

One dead in collision between vehicle and plow truck

One person has died after a collision involving a plow truck in Perth East Thursday morning.

City of Kitchener

City of Kitchener Council/committee meeting

-/-

City of Kitchener

2024-12-02 - Community and Infrastructure Services Committee

-/-

CTV News Kitchener

One person sent to hospital after collision near Brantford

One person was sent to hospital after a collision involving a tractor trailer and a pedestrian near Brantford early Thursday morning.

CTV News Kitchener

Arrest made, replica firearm seized, after early morning standoff in Stratford

One woman has been sent to hospital as Stratford Police investigate an intimate violence investigation Thursday morning.

City of Kitchener

2024-12-02 - Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee

-/-

519 Sports Online

Waterloo Jr. Warriors football is moving to AAA for the 2025 OSFL season

-/-

519 Sports Online

Christian Kuriata speaks to players and parents at 'Meet the Coaches' night

-/-

519 Sports Online

Coaches comments about Waterloo football moving up to AAA

-/-

D2L

Reinventing Education: Mike Yates on AI and Innovation at Teach for America

-/-

519 Sports Online

Under 18 Hockey - London Jr. Knights vs Waterloo Wolves

-/-

519 Sports Online

The GOJHL Showcase starts this Friday in Caledonia

-/-

519 Sports Online

Christian Kuriata is returning as the U18 Cambridge Lions head coach

-/-

519 Sports Online

Inspiring words from Tavius Robinson during the D10 awards luncheon

-/-

Gheorghe Curelet-Balan

Halloween outdoors decorations in Elmira village, Wellington Region, Ontario Canada. #halloween

-/-

Hacksmith Industries

Our "just in case" tool. ⚒️ #engineering #mechanical #challenge

-/-

City of Kitchener

2024-12-02 - Special Council Meeting Part One

-/-

519 Sports Online

Under 15 Hockey - Huron Heat vs Stratford Aces

-/-

519 Sports Online

Jackson LeShuk is the Defensive Player of the Year in D10 football

-/-

CTV News Kitchener

Local business collects $5K for Toy Mountain

Staebler Insurance stopped by the CTV Kitchener studio with a big donation for our Toy Mountain campaign!

CTV News Kitchener

Expansion plans for Kitchener co-working space

Catalyst Commons will be almost doubling its co-working space in Kitchener. Krista Simpson has the details.

CTV News Kitchener

Preparing for Stars On Ice stop in Kitchener

Canadian skating phenom Elvis Stokjko is getting ready to bring holiday magic to Kitchener. CTV's Ashley Bacon finds out what's in store.