For restaurant owners, Mother’s Day is wonderful for business but not exactly relaxing. Aaron and Bronwyn Linley own and run the popular Bijou Restaurant in picturesque Stratford, Ontario. Their love story goes back to the nineties, where they met in chef school. By 1998, they were married and began an exciting culinary journey that took them from remote spots in Canada to bustling kitchens at fine dining establishments like Toronto’s Scaramouche and Biff’s.

Life was always hectic and got even more busy when they had children. Liam was born in 1999 and their daughter Hazel was born in 2002. Between having two babies, they gave birth to Bijou Restaurant.

For twelve years, the Linleys have worked together at Bijou 5 to 6 days a week. Soon, they are set to embark on a new adventure at Stratford’s new luxury boutique hotel, the Bruce Hotel. They are taking on the additional roles of executive chef (Aaron) and food and beverage manager (Bronwyn) of the Bruce’s soon-to open lounge and restaurant. Phew! So how do they make time to celebrate special moments? Where do they find respite? Like many busy couples, Aaron and Brownyn make sure to carve out time, even just moments, to sit, reflect and enjoy one another with a lovely glass of wine.

Not only does Bronwyn’s birthday fall in the same month as Mother’s Day, this year also May marks their 15th wedding anniversary; Aaron has a plan. While she can’t take the actual day off, he’s created a day just for her . After a much needed sleep-in, he’s booked her a massage and spa treatments followed by a long lunch with her close girlfriends and at the end of the day, the couple will unwind with her favourite Niagara wine, Inniskillin Niagara Estate Series Riesling 2011. 

Sharing good wine has become a ritual for this couple. It’s a time to sit, to chat, to catch up and share stories. Enjoying each sip, they can be still for a little while and reflect on accomplishments, spark new ideas and quietly appreciate one another. Whether it’s Bronwyn’s favourite Riesling, a full-bodied Pinot Noir or a sumptuous award-winning Inniskillin Ice Wine, these two have figured out that their love for homegrown, well-crafted wine isn’t just about the taste, but about the ritual of unwinding and spending time away from work, together. 

This year, we challenge you to discover a wine for that special moment, be it Mother’s Day, a Sunday sunset or just those truly special unmarked occasions wherein you slow down to simply enjoy one another. 

CONTEST

Want to find your mom the perfect wine for Mother’s Day? Or maybe you are the mom with a busy schedule and want a nice bottle to enjoy with your partner?! Enter to win a $50 gift card from Wine Rack and find the perfect bottle of Inniskillin to share with your loved one. 

To enter tweet “Dear @shedoesthecity, help me find the perfect @Inniskillin wine for special moments.“