PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION  |  APRIL 2, 2026

Why You Should Spend April 2nd at the Grape Spring Tune-Up

A behind-the-scenes day in PEC wine country — open to everyone, and worth every penny of the $30 ticket.

If you've ever swirled a glass of Prince Edward County wine and wondered how it got there — the vines, the soil, the harvest, the barrels — April 2nd is your day.

The annual Grape Spring Tune-Up Trade Show is usually the wine industry's own private family reunion. This year, the doors are open to you. And if you love wine, food, and the stories behind local agriculture, you absolutely shouldn't miss it.

What Exactly Is the Grape Spring Tune-Up?

Organized by the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association (PECWA) — the group that's been championing County wine since 2000 and helped earn PEC its status as a Designated Viticultural Area — this is the region's premier annual gathering of grape growers, winemakers, cider producers, and agricultural innovators.

Think of it as a trade show, a lecture series, a tasting, and a catered lunch all rolled into one very full, very delicious day.

Why It Matters — More Than You Might Think

Here's a number worth sitting with: every single bottle of VQA Ontario wine sold generates $98.20 in local economic activity — wages, taxes, tourism, and more.

That means when you visit a County winery, you're not just enjoying a Saturday afternoon — you're supporting an industry that pumps real money back into this community. Events like the Spring Tune-Up are where that industry learns, grows, and plans its next chapter. As Tim Kuepfer, owner of Broken Stone Winery and PECWA Board Member, puts it: the wineries here are the economic engine of Prince Edward County.

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What's In It for You?

Here's what your $30 ticket gets you on April 2nd:

✦  Breakfast, coffee, and a catered lunch by Flossie's Sandwiches

Yes, a full meal is included — and anyone who knows Flossie's knows that alone is worth showing up for.

✦  24 trade show booths

Explore the machinery, technology, and horticultural innovation that goes into every bottle. Whether you're an avid home gardener, a food and agriculture enthusiast, or just curious about how it all works, there's something genuinely fascinating here.

✦  Expert seminars all day

Starting at 9:30 a.m., the day is packed with sessions led by some of the region's top minds. You can see the full Agenda at www.pecwines.com/events

✦  A keynote from the Grape King

At noon, Augusta Vanmuyen — PEC's own Grape King — takes the stage to share her expertise on what's happening in the vineyards right now.

✦  The headline roundtable: "Renaissance of County Wineries"

Moderated by Karen Palmer, this afternoon panel brings together a winemaker, a realtor, and a business development expert to dig into winery transitions, new investments, and the County's exciting future. If you've ever wondered where PEC wine is headed, this is the conversation to hear live.

✦  Vineyards of the Future & Wine Science

Two additional technical sessions round out the afternoon — one with Jenny Chen on what tomorrow's vineyards will look like, and one with Dominique Fink of OENO Science on how winemakers prevent wine faults through analysis and tasting. Genuinely cool stuff.

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Who Should Go?

The short answer: anyone who loves Prince Edward County.

But more specifically, this is a perfect day out for wine lovers who want to go deeper than the tasting room; home gardeners or market gardeners curious about agricultural technology; people who care about the local economy and want to understand the industry behind it; and anyone looking for a genuinely unique, social, educational experience — not just another event.

The Details

Date:  Wednesday, April 2, 2026

Doors open:  8:30 a.m.

Ticket price:  $30 (includes breakfast, lunch, seminars, and trade show access)

Catering:  Flossie's Sandwiches

Bonus:  A glass of wine with lunch, naturally

Seats are limited.

Reserve your spot now before they're gone.

Prince Edward County's wine industry doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of the people who show up — to grow, to learn, to build something lasting. On April 2nd, you're invited to be part of that story for a day. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to fall a little more in love with the County.

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