Canadian Wine Tasting Experience
Come over for a glass of wine.
Well... five.
CRUSHABLE isn't hosted in a restaurant, winery or event space. It's hosted in my home.
Think less "wine class" and more "your friend who happens to know a lot about Canadian wine invited you over for an evening of incredible bottles, cheese, conversation and stories."
If you've ever found wine intimidating, you're exactly who I created this experience for.
No one is going to ask what aromas you're getting. No one's judging how you hold your glass. And I promise you'll never hear the phrase "wet river stones" unless we're making fun of it.
Instead, we'll spend the evening discovering some of Canada's most exciting wines together.
A Night at CRUSHABLE
You'll join a small group around my table as we taste our way across Canada's wine regions—from Ontario and British Columbia to Nova Scotia and beyond.
Along the way I'll introduce you to the people making these wines, explain why Canadian wine deserves far more attention than it gets, and hopefully convince you to leave room in your wine rack for a few new favourites.
This isn't about memorizing tasting notes.
It's about discovering wines you'll actually want to drink again.
What's Included
-Five carefully curated Canadian wines
-Local cheese and charcuterie pairings
-Stories about the wines, regions and the people behind them
-An intimate tasting hosted in my Toronto home
-Plenty of conversation, laughter and questions
-My friendly dog, Dottie, who considers herself the unofficial host of every tasting
Every experience features a different lineup of wines, so returning guests always have something new to discover.
Meet Your Host
I'm Laura Batten, founder of CRUSHABLE, sommelier, Canadian wine writer and someone who's spent more than a decade trying to convince people that Canadian wine is wildly underrated.
I've been fortunate to share that mission through my writing and media appearances.
As seen in:
• ELLE Canada
• Toronto Life
• The Globe and Mail
• The Hub
• CBC
• Wines in Niagara
• Fashion Magazine
• Shane Hewitt and The Night Shift
My goal has never been to make people sound smarter about wine.
It's to help them enjoy it more.
Why My Home?
Because wine is better when it feels personal.
Hosting from my home creates an experience you simply can't recreate in a busy restaurant or tasting room. Guests relax faster, conversations happen naturally, strangers become friends and the evening feels like exactly what wine should be: shared.
Many guests tell me it feels like they've been invited to the dinner party of someone who's obsessed with finding Canada's best bottles.
They're not wrong.
Meet Dottie
Dottie is CRUSHABLE's four-legged co-host.
She's a friendly, well-behaved dog who loves greeting guests before settling in for the evening. If you're a dog lover, you'll probably make a new friend.
If you have allergies or are uncomfortable around dogs, I want you to know she's part of the experience so you can decide whether it's the right fit for you.
Perfect For
• Date nights
• Birthday celebrations
• Solo guests
• Visitors looking for an authentic Toronto experience
• Girls' nights
• Curious wine lovers
• Anyone who's ever thought wine felt a little too serious
Frequently Asked Questions
I've never been to a wine tasting. Is this for me?
Absolutely. Most guests aren't wine experts. Curiosity is the only prerequisite.
Is this hosted in your actual home?
Yes! That's what makes it special. CRUSHABLE is intentionally intimate, and hosting in my home creates a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable asking questions, chatting and discovering great wine together.
Is Dottie really there?
She is! Dottie is friendly and loves people. She'll likely say hello when you arrive before finding a cozy spot to supervise the evening.
What if I have a dog allergy or I'm nervous around dogs?
Please keep this in mind before booking. While Dottie is calm and well-behaved, she does live here and is typically present during tastings.
Is food included?
Yes. Every tasting includes thoughtfully paired local cheese and charcuterie. It's designed as a generous tasting, not a full dinner.
Can I come alone?
Please do. Many guests arrive solo and leave having met a table full of fellow wine lovers.
Will I learn something?
Definitely—but don't expect a lecture. You'll leave understanding Canadian wine better without ever feeling like you were in a classroom.
Wine was always meant to bring people together.
I'd love to welcome you into my home, introduce you to some incredible Canadian wines and, of course, introduce you to Dottie.