ABOUT THE BEARS
Andrew von Teichman
Allan Jackson
D'Ont Poke the Bear is the passionate result of two people, Andrew and Allan, who produce great VQA Ontario wines and craft cider.
Andrew and Allan were both bullied as children and have now created D'Ont Poke the Bear to celebrate those that fight back and put their friends first...Oh, and put the apostrophe wherever they want!
D’Ont Poke the Bear believes in FEEL OUT LOUD - the largest movement supporting youth mental health in Canada’s history. We are a proud supporter of Kids Help Phone’s 24/7, free, bilingual, confidential e-mental health service with $125,000.00 donated to date.
Polite until provoked...don't poke the bear.
Share your stories about putting #friendsfirst and support one another!
#dontpokebears
The Wines
INTRODUCING…
D'Ont Poke the Bear BIG BACO
The Big Baco features a very dark red colour with intense black berry aromatics on the nose. Full dry and slightly spicy palate with a lingering mellow finish.
This is a big red wine that pairs well with beef, lamb and game meats.
Drink responsibly and D'Ont Poke the Bear!
D'Ont Poke the Bear Red
A cheeky blend of Cabernet and Ontario's newest favourite, Baco Noir, this beauty of a red blend can stand up to BBQ's, campfires, docks and condo's. It's smooth, ripe and loaded with berry fruit.
Drink responsibly and D'Ont Poke the Bear!
D'Ont Poke the Bear White
D'Ont Poke the Bear Big Baco
A blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc make for a delicious, dry white that can pair with fresh fish, greens and local fruit.
Drink responsibly and D'Ont poke the bear!
D'Ont Poke the Bear Rosé
A delectable dry blend of Vidal, Riesling and Zweigelt grapes give a summery taste of strawberry and floral notes. Drink this anytime, any place, anywhere — it goes perfectly with pool parties, lazy reading sessions & never disappoints!
Drink responsibly and D’Ont Poke the Bear!
The most recent addition to the Bear family is our Red Bag N Box. The same award-winning blend as our signature Red Blend found in a bottle is now available in a eco-friendly bag n box, perfect for camping trips in the Canadian back country! The wine lasts up to 6 weeks once opened and contains the equivalent of four bottles of wine, making the bag n box a super deal!
Drink responsibly and D'Ont Poke the Bear!
The Original
Craft cider
Our all natural cider is locally sourced with NO added flavours -- just pure apples!
Not only is our cider both gluten-free and GMO free, it also has 7 different types of local apples which gives it a smooth & refreshing taste -- perfect for hot summer days!
D'Ont forget that a portion of every can of cider goes back to bullying prevention awareness in Canada!
The berry
Craft cider
Not only is our cider both gluten-free and GMO free, it also has 7 different types of local apples which gives it a smooth & refreshing taste -- perfect for hot summer days!
Our Berry Craft Cider is a delicious blend of our Original craft cider plus a touch of juicy berry flavour to give the most alluring pink colour.
D'Ont forget that a portion of every can of cider goes back to bullying prevention awareness in Canada!
This bear is roaring happy for receiving the following "elsie awards" -- "oscars" of the beverage industry -- in ontario
2017/18
product with a social conscience
2017/18
vqa excellence award
Kids Help Phone
& the bear
Our mission is to build more connected communities and support the eradication of bullying. We provide young and old with the tools to promote kindness through confidence, empathy, and empowerment. We are committed to supporting the national charity, Kids Help Phone as they embark on the largest mental health campaign for children in Canadian history. As well as producing award-winning wines and craft cider, we have a mission to foster a more tolerant and thoughtful world.
update as of June 2021
We are so proud to announce that as of June 2021, we have raised over $250,000.00 in support of Bullying awareness & prevention for Friends First! Our starting goal of raising $75,000.00 has now grown to be a +$1Million dollar goal!
Thank you to everyone who contributes by way of purchasing our products (wine, craft cider and online apparel) as well as by spreading our message. Through special partnerships like the one we have with Kids Help Phone, we are able to reach youth across Canada who need our help.
Together, we can help make this world a more kind, accepting and loving place to live.
May 28, 2018 — D’Ont Poke the Bear presents its first donation of $25,000.00 to Friends First in support of bullying prevention in Canada
June 3, 2019 - D’Ont Poke the Bear presents a cheque of $25,000.00 to Kids Help Phone in support of the Friends First Counsellor in the Classroom Program
Friends First Counsellor in the Classroom is an educational resource for grades 6, 7 and 8 to help de-stigmatize the use of Help Lines for youth who are in need
August 14, 2021 - D’Ont Poke the Bear presents a donation of $46,000.00 in support of bullying awareness & prevention in Peterborough at store #35. This is the #1 selling LCBO store for D’Ont Poke the Bear in Ontario
August 5, 2021 - D’Ont Poke the Bear presents its third and final donation of $25,000.00 to Kids Help Phone in support of bullying prevention in Canada. This results in a total donation of $75,000.00 to Kids Help Phone
October 7, 2021 - D’Ont Poke the Bear commits a fourth donation of $25,000.00 to Kids Help Phone in support of their #FEELOUTLOUD campaign - the largest mental health campaign for children in Canadian history
December 13, 2022 - A fifth donation of $25,000.00 donation to Kids Help Phone’s #FEELOUTLOUD campaign to continue our support of children’s mental health in Canada, bringing our total donated to $125,000.00!
PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 7, 2019
Friends First Announces Three Year Commitment to Kids Help Phone
Local bullying awareness & prevention organization commits $75,000 gift
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TORONTO - February 07, 2019
Friends First, an organization created by local business leader Natalie von Teichman, announced a three year, $75,000 commitment to Kids Help Phone today in Toronto.
Friends First was born as a result of a very personal story. Andrew von Teichman, a sommelier, and his business partner, the legendary winemaker Allan Jackson of Jackson Triggs, were both bullied as children and never forgot the feelings that resulted from that experience. Cut to many years, and one very successful business later, they decided to team up to create a beautiful local wine and craft cider aptly named “D'Ont Poke The Bear”. As well as creating delicious wine and cider, Andrew and Allan are donating a portion of sales from every bottle or can sold to a group committed to bullying prevention -- Friends First. Since its launch, the product has been a runaway success thanks in part to the simple fact that so many customers in Canada can relate to the story and have experienced bullying first hand.
"We could not be more pleased that Friends First’s inaugural gift is going to Kids Help Phone and, more specifically, the Counsellor in the Classroom program." said Natalie. "This is exactly the kind of partner and program we had in mind when we started the project and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with Kids Help Phone and their incredible team."
“Friends First’s dedicated, generous support to Kids Help Phone will help to improve the lives and well-being of young people in Canada,” says Susan Hallsworth, Associate Vice President, Philanthropy & Partnerships, Kids Help Phone. “It takes courage for a young person to reach out to us and it takes courage for the community to stand behind and support them.”
“Organizations such as Friends First and Kids Help Phone and the incredible work they do are who we had in mind when we founded our company and planned our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.” said Allan. “We could not be more delighted that the success of one of our products, D’Ont Poke The Bear, has contributed in such a meaningful manner and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with both for many years to come.”
ABOUT KIDS HELP PHONE
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 national e-mental health service offering free, confidential, multilingual support to young people. As the country’s virtual care expert, they give millions of youth safe, trusted space to talk over phone or through text in a moment of crisis or need. Kids Help Phone has launched the largest youth mental health movement - FEEL OUT LOUD - to address this crisis in Canada. We are honoured to be play a role in helping to support this campaign!
ABOUT GENERATIONS WINE COMPANY
Founded by wine legend Allan Jackson and sommelier Andrew Von Teichman, Generations Wine Company was established in 2010. GWC produces Union Wines and the runaway success D’Ont Poke the Bear Wine and Craft Cider which most recently won two coveted Elsie Awards presented by the LCBO for Social Responsibility and VQA Excellence. Generations Wine is committed to promoting local products from across Canada as well as giving back to each community in which they operate.
Check out www.kidshelpphone.ca to learn more about this awesome initiative!
Want to know where you can find
D'Ont pOke the Bear Wine & Craft cider?
CLICK HERE if you live in Ontario for the LCBO)
Available in Loblaws, Sobeys, Farm Boy & metro grocery stores
CLick here if you live in manitoba
Available in select retailers in Alberta & British Columbia
Canadian bear media
TORONTO STAR, September 30, 2017:
GOOD CAUSE GETS WINE BOSS ANDREW VON TEICHMAN POURING HIS HEART OUT:
STREETER.CA, June 14, 2018:
Anti-bullying causes fermented by midtown wine-making family
February 7, 2019 Press Release:
Friends First Announces Three Year Commitment to Kids Help Phone
Local bullying awareness & prevention organization commits $75,000 gift
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TORONTO - February 07, 2019
Friends First, an organization created by local business leader Natalie von Teichman, announced a three year, $75,000 commitment to Kids Help Phone today in Toronto.
Friends First was born as a result of a very personal story. Andrew von Teichman, a sommelier, and his business partner, the legendary winemaker Allan Jackson of Jackson Triggs, were both bullied as children and never forgot the feelings that resulted from that experience. Cut to many years, and one very successful business later, they decided to team up to create a beautiful local wine and craft cider aptly named “D'Ont Poke The Bear”. As well as creating delicious wine and cider, Andrew and Allan are donating a portion of sales from every bottle or can sold to a group committed to bullying prevention -- Friends First. Since its launch, the product has been a runaway success thanks in part to the simple fact that so many customers in Canada can relate to the story and have experienced bullying first hand.
"We could not be more pleased that Friends First’s inaugural gift is going to Kids Help Phone and, more specifically, the Counsellor in the Classroom program." said Natalie. "This is exactly the kind of partner and program we had in mind when we started the project and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with Kids Help Phone and their incredible team."
“Friends First’s dedicated, generous support to Kids Help Phone will help to improve the lives and well-being of young people in Canada,” says Susan Hallsworth, Associate Vice President, Philanthropy & Partnerships, Kids Help Phone. “It takes courage for a young person to reach out to us and it takes courage for the community to stand behind and support them.”
“Organizations such as Friends First and Kids Help Phone and the incredible work they do are who we had in mind when we founded our company and planned our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.” said Allan. “We could not be more delighted that the success of one of our products, D’Ont Poke The Bear, has contributed in such a meaningful manner and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with both for many years to come.”
ABOUT KIDS HELP PHONE
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 national e-mental health service offering free, confidential, multilingual support to young people. As the country’s virtual care expert, they give millions of youth safe, trusted space to talk over phone or through text in a moment of crisis or need. Kids Help Phone has launched the largest youth mental health movement - FEEL OUT LOUD - to address this crisis in Canada. We are honoured to be play a role in helping to support this campaign!
ABOUT GENERATIONS WINE COMPANY
Founded by wine legend Allan Jackson and sommelier Andrew Von Teichman, Generations Wine Company was established in 2010. GWC produces Union Wines and the runaway success D’Ont Poke the Bear Wine and Craft Cider which most recently won two coveted Elsie Awards presented by the LCBO for Social Responsibility and VQA Excellence. Generations Wine is committed to promoting local products from across Canada as well as giving back to each community in which they operate.
The Social CTV with Natalie Maclean
https://www.ctv.ca/TheSocial/Video/S6E126-Everything-you-need-to-know-about-cider-vid1637093
Contact
Please click on: D'Ont Poke the Bear to contact us and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as we can!