The Wine Trail Ride Cycling Tour is kicking it up a notch this year.

Mark Muzzin of The Butcher of Kingsville explains his Wine Trail Ride meal.
Mark Muzzin of The Butcher of Kingsville explains his Wine Trail Ride meal.

Since its start in 2008, the Wine Trail Rides have always been known for their signature long table dinners in the field and the use and support of local producers. This year, WindsorEats will be elevating the long table experience by highlighting a different chef each month.

The season kicks off on May 28, 2016 with chef Ted Dimoglou of Tiki Sushi hosting the first Wine Trail Ride feast.

Participants enjoying the sights, scents and sounds on a Wine Trail Ride.
Participants enjoying the sights, scents and sounds on a Wine Trail Ride.

After cycling to three wineries for tastings and tours, participants come together at the end of the ride for a long table meal in the vineyard. Each Wine Trail Ride provides an opportunity to feature a local chef and their use of locally sourced ingredients. The long table dinners have always been a signature experience of the Wine Trail Ride.

The tours were the first cycling tourism initiative in the region and have been recognized for blazing a trail in the local tourism industry.

Wine Trail Ride cycling tour guests enjoy a long table dinner
Wine Trail Ride cycling tour guests enjoy a long table dinner

In 2009, the Wine Trail Rides won the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Culinary Tourism Experience Award which highlighted the region, its potential and the Wine Trail Ride’s contribution to culinary tourism. In 2010, WindsorEats was selected as the Innovator of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. The award recognizes success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada.

Tickets are officially on sale in the WindsorEats Shop. A listing of tour dates, routes and menus can be viewed at www.winetrailride.ca