New Tasting Pass Launched to Explore the Windsor Essex Wine Route
June 17th through June 23rd is officially Ontario Wine Week across the province, and today Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island held an event to celebrate the newest marketing tool to promote visitors to our Essex Pelee Island Coast (EPIC) Wineries. In partnership with 11 partners on the EPIC Wine Route, Tourism Windsor Essex unveiled the Tasting Pass. The Tasting Pass is a digital passport that encourages visitors and locals alike to get liquid on lips at each of the participating partners.
“We recognize that our wine region is steadily growing its market share of the $3.3 billion Ontario wine economy. These new marketing initiatives underscores Tourism Windsor Essex’s commitment to this industry sector,” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex. “Winery Tourism has been identified as a key source of revenue generation and job creation for the local area. The Tasting Pass and Map being launched are designed to increase visitation to the local wine region as every bottle of Ontario wine generates $40 of economic impact”.
The EPIC Tasting Pass is available for purchase now at epicwineries.com for $25. Purchasing a Tasting Pass will allow visitors to unlock complimentary tastings, premium samples, a free wine glass and even a tour at stops along the route. The Tasting Pass encourages visitors to explore each partner at their leisure, and the exclusively-digital platform is for ease of use from each purchasers cell phone or tablet.
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island also released their latest edition of the Windsor Essex Wine Route Map, available for pick up at any of our tourism information centres, participating wineries, and as well as to be distributed throughout the province of Ontario and into Michigan and Ohio.
“Moving into its tenth year, EPIC and TWEPI are excited to have an all new and refreshed Wine Route Map calling out to Canada’s Hottest and Southernmost Wine Region. In this edition, we have included an enlarged, easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate wine route, including our 14 EPIC Wineries, and calling out to unique features such as tours offered, patio availability, waterfront views, dining options and event space. Once in-market, this is an effective tool, acting as a compass in capturing a truly remarkable wine experience along the Lake Erie North Shore.” says Melissa Muscedere, President of the EPIC Wineries.
In addition to the release of the EPIC Tasting Pass, Tourism Windsor Essex is also hosting an EPIC Wineries Pop Up Event at Devonshire Mall, giving visitors the opportunity to taste bold reds and crisp whites from the 11 participating wineries in the event. The complimentary wine tastings will occur today (Friday June 21st) from 11:30am through 8:30pm and Saturday June 22nd from 11:30am through 5:30pm.
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island was awarded the Culinary Leadership Award in October 2019 from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario for leadership in culinary tourism, in part to the creation of programs like EPIC Wineries.
Media Contact:
Lynnette Bain
Vice-President Tourism Programs & Development
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
519-563-8192
[email protected]
