The Following is a list of Niagara area Wineries. I have copied pieces from their web sites to give you a flavor of what wonderful product they have to offer. Niagara wines are world renown. The Niagara Wine industry has just eclipsed all other sources of tourism as the number one tourist destination in Niagara-on-the-Lake, second in the Niagara Peninsula, with Niagara Falls still the biggest attraction.
We are proud of our Wineries, and they have become one of the cornerstones of our community. Come to Niagara, and taste what it has to offer.
Angels Gate Winery 4260 Mountainview Rd. Beamsville 905-563-3942
Angels Gate Winery uses traditional winemaking techniques combined with new world technologies to create wines with delicate balance, finesse and structure. All of our wines are treated with great care and undergo minimum fining and filtration. This allows us to preserve each varietals aroma, acidity and structure.
The winery was founded by a group of wine loving friends on a property that was once owned by the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Christian Charity in Ontario. In 1995, the land was converted into a vineyard. Construction of the "mission style" building began in June of 2001.
Birchwood Estate Wines 4679 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-8463
We are a small, friendly winery located 2 km (a mile or so!) south of the Beamsville Bench, just north of Lake Ontario and west of Jordan Harbour.
Like our namesake tree, we are not the biggest in the forest, but we pride ourselves on our distinctive personality, our unique style and our very Canadian flavour!
Our wines have won awards in all the major Canadian shows and we were recently awarded the first double-gold in the history of the American Wine Awards.
Small in size but big in heart, we are firm believers in quality over quantity. doing things as well as we can, and staying true to our friendly reputation.
Caroline Cellars 1028 Line 2 Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-8814
Caroline Cellars is one of the newest additions to the winery landscape of Niagara-on-the-Lake. We are family owned and operated and our farming roots in the region go back over 50 years.
We acquired our current vineyard in 1978 and spent many years selling our grapes to other wineries, making our first vintage here in 2000, and opening our retail store in August 2002.
Our highest priority is customer satisfaction: this is why we produce quality wines, which boast the approval of VQA standards, without sacrificing affordability. Having Ontario wines on Ontario tables, and now beyond, has always been important to us.
Cave Spring Cellars 3836 Main St. Jordan 905-562-3581
Cave Spring Cellars was founded in 1986 by grape grower Leonard Pennachetti and wine maker Angelo Pavan. From the beginning, they have vinified vitis vinifera grapes - the noblest grape varieties of the Old World - from vineyards along Niagara's Beamsville Bench. Nestled at the heart of this narrow, fifteen kilometre shelf of the Niagara Escarpment, Pennachetti's Cave Spring Vineyard is one of Niagara's oldest vinifera plantings.
Wine lovers everywhere - in the Old and New World alike - have long recognized the intimate connection between authenticity of origin and the highest standards of quality in winemaking. At Cave Spring we believe that our wines are unique because they capture what the French call 'goût de terroir', or 'taste of the land' from which they come; and that no amount of artifice - enological or otherwise - could ever replicate the particular flavour profile they achieve. The uniqueness of our wines stems directly from their authenticity of origin.
In 1972 an eighteen year old named Leonard Pennachetti was studying the geography of his native Niagara Peninsula in High School and became aware of the unique micro-climate which the interaction of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment creates.
A family history in the area reached back to the early 1920's when Len's grandfather, Giuseppe, emigrated from his home town of Fermo in central Italy to work as a mason on Niagara's Welland Canal. Years later, when Giuseppe retired from the concrete business which he and his sons built, he took to a passion which had been in his blood from his days as a young man in Italy - vineyards. On lands of modest quality and with native labrusca grape varieties which were the order of the day, Giuseppe would prune and tie his hobby vineyard with his son John and grandson Leonard. The wines were, like the vines, wanting in quality, and the family knew that better was possible. Especially the young Leonard, who knew that moderate lake breezes hinder severe winter cold, especially along the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment.
Len's father, John T. Pennachetti, at the time heading the family's successful concrete manufacturing business, saw his son's interest in growing grape vines and decided that the family would invest in better vineyards. He took Len up in an airplane and the two scouted the escarpment benchlands, quickly realizing that the area of the historic Cave Spring Farm, because of its hillside location, heavy clay soils and proximity to Lake Ontario was the site they wanted.
We are proud of our Wineries, and they have become one of the cornerstones of our community. Come to Niagara, and taste what it has to offer.
Angels Gate Winery 4260 Mountainview Rd. Beamsville 905-563-3942
Angels Gate Winery uses traditional winemaking techniques combined with new world technologies to create wines with delicate balance, finesse and structure. All of our wines are treated with great care and undergo minimum fining and filtration. This allows us to preserve each varietals aroma, acidity and structure.
The winery was founded by a group of wine loving friends on a property that was once owned by the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Christian Charity in Ontario. In 1995, the land was converted into a vineyard. Construction of the "mission style" building began in June of 2001.
Birchwood Estate Wines 4679 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-8463
We are a small, friendly winery located 2 km (a mile or so!) south of the Beamsville Bench, just north of Lake Ontario and west of Jordan Harbour.
Like our namesake tree, we are not the biggest in the forest, but we pride ourselves on our distinctive personality, our unique style and our very Canadian flavour!
Our wines have won awards in all the major Canadian shows and we were recently awarded the first double-gold in the history of the American Wine Awards.
Small in size but big in heart, we are firm believers in quality over quantity. doing things as well as we can, and staying true to our friendly reputation.
Caroline Cellars 1028 Line 2 Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-8814
Caroline Cellars is one of the newest additions to the winery landscape of Niagara-on-the-Lake. We are family owned and operated and our farming roots in the region go back over 50 years.
We acquired our current vineyard in 1978 and spent many years selling our grapes to other wineries, making our first vintage here in 2000, and opening our retail store in August 2002.
Our highest priority is customer satisfaction: this is why we produce quality wines, which boast the approval of VQA standards, without sacrificing affordability. Having Ontario wines on Ontario tables, and now beyond, has always been important to us.
Cave Spring Cellars 3836 Main St. Jordan 905-562-3581
Cave Spring Cellars was founded in 1986 by grape grower Leonard Pennachetti and wine maker Angelo Pavan. From the beginning, they have vinified vitis vinifera grapes - the noblest grape varieties of the Old World - from vineyards along Niagara's Beamsville Bench. Nestled at the heart of this narrow, fifteen kilometre shelf of the Niagara Escarpment, Pennachetti's Cave Spring Vineyard is one of Niagara's oldest vinifera plantings.
Wine lovers everywhere - in the Old and New World alike - have long recognized the intimate connection between authenticity of origin and the highest standards of quality in winemaking. At Cave Spring we believe that our wines are unique because they capture what the French call 'goût de terroir', or 'taste of the land' from which they come; and that no amount of artifice - enological or otherwise - could ever replicate the particular flavour profile they achieve. The uniqueness of our wines stems directly from their authenticity of origin.
In 1972 an eighteen year old named Leonard Pennachetti was studying the geography of his native Niagara Peninsula in High School and became aware of the unique micro-climate which the interaction of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment creates.
A family history in the area reached back to the early 1920's when Len's grandfather, Giuseppe, emigrated from his home town of Fermo in central Italy to work as a mason on Niagara's Welland Canal. Years later, when Giuseppe retired from the concrete business which he and his sons built, he took to a passion which had been in his blood from his days as a young man in Italy - vineyards. On lands of modest quality and with native labrusca grape varieties which were the order of the day, Giuseppe would prune and tie his hobby vineyard with his son John and grandson Leonard. The wines were, like the vines, wanting in quality, and the family knew that better was possible. Especially the young Leonard, who knew that moderate lake breezes hinder severe winter cold, especially along the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment.
Len's father, John T. Pennachetti, at the time heading the family's successful concrete manufacturing business, saw his son's interest in growing grape vines and decided that the family would invest in better vineyards. He took Len up in an airplane and the two scouted the escarpment benchlands, quickly realizing that the area of the historic Cave Spring Farm, because of its hillside location, heavy clay soils and proximity to Lake Ontario was the site they wanted.
Chateau Des Charmes 1025 York Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-262-4219
The story of Château des Charmes begins over five generations ago with a family that traces its roots to the Alsace region of France and the vineyards of French Algeria. Thousands of kilometers from its present day vineyards, Canada's outstanding winery, Château des Charmes, traces its beginnings.
In these foreign lands, the ancestors of Paul Bosc began a heritage of fine winemaking that would serve the Bosc family for generations to come. This tradition of excellence continues today in the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake where Paul Bosc and his family carry on this rich heritage of meticulous vinification by harmonizing science and art.
A graduate of one of Europe's finest winemaking schools, the University of Burgundy at Dijon, Paul Bosc came to Canada from France in the 1960's. He brought the Old World tradition of winemaking to his new home and he grafted that knowledge and tradition to the soils of Niagara.
After studying the Niagara Peninsula for fifteen years, Paul Bosc concluded that the soil and climate of the area were ideal for fine wine production. Niagara's temperate microclimate provides 180-190 frost free growing days a year. Château des Charmes' vineyards are ideally positioned south of Lake Ontario and north of the Niagara Escarpment at 44 degrees latitude, allowing superb growing conditions. In fact, the Niagara Peninsula is further south than France's famous Burgundy region where Paul Bosc was educated and trained.
Since 1978, guided by great vision, passion and five generations of winegrowing experience, Paul has been committed to developing the best possible vineyard sites in order to produce wines that have become recognized as benchmarks in the Ontario wine industry.
Renowned British wine writer Hugh Johnson in his book Wine Companion has written: "Canada was discovered, in fine wine terms, in the 1970's when old fears and prejudices about which vines could survive were tossed aside. The formidable know-how that had been accumulating in new wine districts around the world provided answers to problems that had seemed insuperable. Paul Bosc became the first to plant a wholly vinifera vineyard. Award winning VQA estate wines include Icewine, late harvest riesling, an impressive range of both white and red varietals as well as méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines."
Paul is joined by his wife Andrée, his son, Paul-André and his wife Michèle who represent the sixth generation of winegrowing expertise. The Bosc family produces their award winning wines in a magnificently designed Château that is the jewel of the Niagara countryside. It alone speaks to the Boscs' determination to maintaining their winegrowing heritage.
Colio Estate Wines
Coliowines.com
Welcome to the world of Colio Estate Wines, a tradition of award-winning viticulture and winemaking that blends experience, modern innovation and a palpable passion, one that is reflected in every product that we make. It is this passion that defines us.
We invite you to make the memorable journey to see our winery, meet our friendly staff and taste our wines. Or simply get to know us by browsing this website and witnessing the passion for yourself…
When we first opened our doors in 1980 we were recipients of the first winery license in the region since prohibition. This rekindled a viticultural interest in what was once the largest grape growing area in the country and led to the establishment of the Lake Erie North Shore as a VQA designated viticultural area.
Today, our picturesque winery in Harrow boasts over 2.4 million litres of cooperage including a climate-controlled barrel aging room and a technologically advanced bottling line that produces in excess of 240,000 cases per year. Tastings and Tours begin and end at our elegant Hospitality Centre which features all of our wines, wine gifts and souvenirs. (As a highpoint in our years of operation, we were awarded " WINERY OF THE YEAR" at the 49th Annual Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.)
And in 2006, the company purchased a new vineyard parcel in Niagara-on-the-Lake with designs on building a showcase winery there opening in 2009. This will give the company a significant presence in two of the most important VQA regions in the country.
Coyote's Run Estatee Winery Concession 5 Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905.682.8310
Here at Coyote’s Run, we are passionate about good wine. Our philosophy is to leverage this passion and produce wines that we can proudly stand behind – hand-crafted wines of quality and distinction that are representative of our unique terroir and microclimate. All of our wines are VQA certified, the symbol of quality for some of the finest wines produced in Ontario.
All of our wines are done in small batches to ensure that the end product is the highest possible quality. Small batches mean that our wines can be hard to find and they sell out quickly. All of the products can be found at our retail store (while they last!), and select products are available in Manitoba, Alberta, and select restaurants across Ontario.
Creekside Estate Winery 2170 Fourth Ave. Jordan Station 905-562-0035
Welcome to the official website of Creekside Estate Winery. Discover our award winning portfolio of wines, take a virtual tour of the winery and purchase our wines and rare collectable vintages on-line, and have them shipped directly to your home or office. Enjoy some of the best Canadian wines Niagara has to offer!
We constantly strive to produce 100% VQA wines of uncompromising quality and creative distinction. The winery and vineyard, situated in the picturesque Jordan region has been carefully crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region, while endeavoring to expand Niagara’s grape growing portfolio with varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. "ONTARIO WINEMAKERS OF THE YEAR”
At the 2008 Ontario Wine Awards Gala the award of the night was unveiled. Creekside Winemakers Craig McDonald and Rob Power were honored in a room filled with industry peers as Winemakers of the Year
Crown Bench Estate Winery 3850 Aberdeen Rd. Beamsville 905-563-3959
Crown Bench Estate Wineryis based on a simple idea, that by combining the very best in terrain, viticultural practices, oneological stewardship and administration, the pillars of a quality winery will have been established. In order to make a great wine you have to have quality grapes. There are no substitutes. The talents of the best wine maker can make an inferior wine into a good wine but, not a great wine. And no amount of marketing hoopla can elevate it.
The microclimate for great wines is found almost exclusively in cool climactic zones. Only these areas can produce grapes with the right sugar and acid mix to create outstanding wines with an ability to mature with greatness.
The Niagara Peninsula is such a zone and has in recent years witnessed a boom in the wine industry fueled by excellence that is world class. Within the Peninsula it is universally acknowledged the Bench (descending steps from the escarpment to the lake) is the superior terroir.
The Bench is limited. It runs from the Western border of Grimsby to the Eastern border of Vineland, from the Number 8 Highway to the Escarpment.
Crown Bench Estates has on its southern border the Niagara Escarpment, a World Biosphere Reserve. The Bruce Trail runs on the crest of the Escarpment and is some one hundred meters behind the winery. The view from the vineyard of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Skyline is spectacular. The natural features of the property include streams, waterfalls, ponds (with nesting Canada Geese and ducks) and bordering forests filled with wildlife making Crown Bench a definite destination and not merely a winery.
Daniel Lenko Winery 5246 King St. West Beamsville 905-563-7756
THE GRAPES: For over 40 years the Lenko family has supplied high quality vinifera grapes to many fine Niagara wineries, winning several significant awards in both local and international competitions. [ Meet the family here ]
The vineyard now has some of the oldest Chardonnay and Merlot vines in Ontario, producing fruit with intense and complex flavours. Daniel Lenko, who has taken over the operation of the farm from his father Bill, is committed to a future as a serious winegrower on the Beamsville Bench using his experience, knowledge, and skills to grow the best grapes possible for his own estate wines.
THE WINES: All wines are proprietor grown, VQA appellation, and estate bottled. The Merlot and Chardonnay bear the designation 'Old Vines' and along with the other red wines are barrel aged in both French and American oak.
Due to our limited production the wines are currently only available at the winery. Tastings and tours are by appointment only.
De Sousa Wine Cellars
Beamsville-Niagara Location Exit #64 Beamsville 3753 Quarry Road, Beamsville,
Winery: (905) 563-7269
Toronto Location 802 Dundas Street West, Phone (416) 603-0202
Toronto Location 802 Dundas Street West, Phone (416) 603-0202
Our Wine:
De Sousa wines are given the utmost attention, spawning a unique and exquisite taste only our devotion to tradition could create. All of our red wines are carefully aged in French oak barrels to achieve the flavour and bouquet taught to us by our forefathers. Table Wines (to wine list & order page)
In addition, we produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal, Baco Noir and Marechal Foch. Each of these wines is made by Andre Lipinski under the guidance of John De Sousa.
Unique to Desousa Wine Cellars is the wonderful taste sensation you'll achieve when savouring red wine in a Portuguese clay cup. Be sure to request your next tasting the old-fashioned Portuguese way.
Premium Wines:
We're excited about our new category of premium wines! Consulting winemaker Andre Lipinski works with John De Sousa to hand-craft several premium wines. These Reserve wines include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Meritage.
Our specialty wines include our famous Port and our Icewines.
Dom Vagners Winery
1973 Four Mile Creek Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 905-468-7296
EastDell Estates 4041 Locust Lane Beamsville 905-563-9463
EastDell Receives Gold Medal at 2008 Ontario Wine Awards Our 2006 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay has received a presitgious gold medal in the Oaked Chardonnay Under $20 category at the 2008 Ontario Wine Awards! This year saw a record 69 wineries with a total of 463 wines enter the competition!
De Sousa wines are given the utmost attention, spawning a unique and exquisite taste only our devotion to tradition could create. All of our red wines are carefully aged in French oak barrels to achieve the flavour and bouquet taught to us by our forefathers. Table Wines (to wine list & order page)
In addition, we produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal, Baco Noir and Marechal Foch. Each of these wines is made by Andre Lipinski under the guidance of John De Sousa.
Unique to Desousa Wine Cellars is the wonderful taste sensation you'll achieve when savouring red wine in a Portuguese clay cup. Be sure to request your next tasting the old-fashioned Portuguese way.
Premium Wines:
We're excited about our new category of premium wines! Consulting winemaker Andre Lipinski works with John De Sousa to hand-craft several premium wines. These Reserve wines include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Meritage.
Our specialty wines include our famous Port and our Icewines.
Dom Vagners Winery
1973 Four Mile Creek Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 905-468-7296
EastDell Estates 4041 Locust Lane Beamsville 905-563-9463
EastDell Receives Gold Medal at 2008 Ontario Wine Awards Our 2006 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay has received a presitgious gold medal in the Oaked Chardonnay Under $20 category at the 2008 Ontario Wine Awards! This year saw a record 69 wineries with a total of 463 wines enter the competition!
EastDell Estates is located on the Niagara West Wine Route, perched high atop the famous Beamsville Bench in the heart of Canada’s premier viticulture district, the Niagara Peninsula.
EastDell enjoys a panoramic view of rolling vineyards with Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline shimmering in the distance. Made entirely of wood and stone from the property, the winery’s rustic main building houses a wine boutique and The VIEW Restaurant.
The nature of Niagara rules in every aspect of our integrated operation – from the vineyards and winemaking practices, to the restaurant’s focus on seasonal cuisine, to the preservation of our property’s spectacular Carolinian woodlot and nature trails. Our property consists of 110 acres, of which 85 acres are planted.
Our Logo The EastDell logo depicts the blue heron which has a natural migration path across our vineyards and makes its summer feeding home in our ponds. We encourage our visitors to explore the vineyards and the 5 km trail system that meanders through the native Carolinian woodland. Enjoy it by foot or cross-country skis in winter. A section of the footpath is a designated route along the Bruce Trail. Some visitors are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the heron that frequents our property!
Featherstone Estate Winery & Vineyard 3678 Victoria Ave. Vineland 905-562-1949
Open daily (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 11:00am-5:30pm from April until the end of December -- and otherwise by appointment or chance.
Featherstone Estate Winery is located on 23 acres of rolling hills on the on the prestigious upper Twenty Mile Bench along the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada. Rich clay soils and higher elevations create a unique mesoclimate for growing grapes.
We are an insecticide-free farm, dedicated to making quality wine from only the grapes we grow ourselves. This control enables us to ensure excellence at every step from vine to bottle.
Ferndale Vineyards Inc. ~ Jordan 905-562-3494
Ferndale Vineyards Inc. 3026 8th Ave. Jordan
Frogpond Farm Organic Winery ~ Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1079
The only certified organic winery in Ontario Oecology deals with the relation of living organisms to their environment and to each other. At Frogpond Farm we do not use insecticides, herbicides, synthetic fungicides or chemical fertilizers. All our wines are organically grown, processed and certified by Organic Crop Producers & Processors. The light and the warmth of the sun manifest itself in the sweetness of the grapes allowing our wines to develop spirit, flavour and colour. All grapes are hand-picked and crafted into lively genuine wines using only gentle traditional winemaking techniques.
Rainwater caught in our pond provides a habitat for a great number of species that add to the biodiversity of our family farm. Harmony in nature provides a balanced environment for a healthy vineyard to flourish, the prerequisite for a great authentic wine.
Frogpond Farm supports clean renewable electricity and is proud to be a bullfrogpowered™ location.
Harbour Estates Winery 4362 Jordan Rd. Vineland 905-562-6279
Harbour Estate Winery is a family-owned winery which is situated on the picturesque waterfront in scenic Jordan Harbour. The winery specializes in the production of red viniferas, and is known for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot wines, and also produces a range of dessert wines and a few fruit wines.
Surrounded by lush Carolinian forest the winery has also established a trail system where visitors can embark on relaxing walks and bask in the sheer beauty of the forest. The winery’s unique locale offers visitors many scenic views so be sure to bring your camera to capture the lovely scenery. Guided tours are available where visitors will learn about the wine-making process from start to finish.
Harvest Estate Wines 1179-1215 Fourth Ave. St. Catharines 905-684-3300
St. Catharines, newest winery is in the midst of Wine Country, in the heart of the ‘Golden Horseshoe’ ~ so named because this area is Ontario’s most productive fruit growing area, and it wraps around the lake. The vision of this Winery is to capture the essence of Ontario’s freshest fruits, (even the occasional vegetable,) and put it into an attractive bottle, to allow it to be enjoyed again. The best Ontario fruits are picked from the bountiful harvest of the region, and made into fine Vintners Quality Assurance (VQA) wines, and delectable fruit wines. One half of the product list is dedicated to traditional fine table wines, and the balance is an assortment of exotic delights that feature outstanding products such as the Rhubarb, Iced Blueberry, Cranberry & Iced Pear Wines. An intriguing feature of the Winery Retail location is, that it shares space with the most successful Country Fruit Market in the region, the Harvest Barn. You can choose some of the finest Produce, Baked Goods and Wines, under one roof!
Just minutes from the Queens Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway (exit #51 Seventh St), and off the 406 (exit 4th Avenue), the location is ideal.
A highlight of any foray into the region should include a stop at Harvest Estate Wines. There are superb wines for you to enjoy, unique specialty (souvenir) wines, a viewing of some fine giftware, and of course, as well, you will find many edible treats next door at the Harvest Barn. You can create a healthy salad, pick up some wholesome oven baked breads or enjoy a more decadent treat from the bakeshop.
A vaulted ceiling, a floor to roof stone fireplace, and an open second floor, create a magnificent chalet- like splendor. The high walls play host to superb works from a variety of local Artists & Artisans. You can sample fine wines and enjoy the visual delights.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 1469 Pelham Rd. St. Catharines 905-684-8423
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery was established in 1988 with the first vintage. At that time we were one of a very few estate wineries dedicated to producing premium quality wines made from 100% Ontario grown grapes. Our focus is on vinifera grape varieties. This family of grapes includes Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, and has been cultivated by Europeans for hundreds of years proving to produce wines of distinction.
In 1984 when our father, along with each of us (Matthew, Daniel and Paul), tore out the Concord and Niagara grapes at our own expense, people thought we were crazy. When we planted Riesling and Chardonnay under newly contoured hills and under drainage, many said they would never grow. We knew, after studying the heat scans and speaking with some of the other more progressive growers, that our vineyard was not only suitable for these special varieties but also located on the prime grape growing lands of the Short Hills Bench.
Hernder Estate Wines 1607 8th Avenue St. Catharines 905-684-3300
Located in West St. Catharines in the Heart of Niagara's Wine Country Hernder's is Open 7 days a week, year round! HOURS Open seven (7) days a week from 10-5
Complimentary Tours are available for the public on Weekends at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Hernder Estate Wines - 1607 8th Avenue St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2R 6P7
Winemaker Lydia Tomek
In 2006 I had the honour of joining the Hernder Estates Team as Head Winemaker. As one of Canada's youngest winemakers I knew Hernder Estates was the ideal place for me to express myself creatively, to flourish and to grow. My winemaking style combines older rustic traditions with new world technologies. To reflect my winemaking style (traditional, classic and fresh) as well as to mark the beginning of a new era with Hernder, we celebrated with our new label.
As you enjoy these wines you will see that all of the wines from '06 have a special story to tell and will evolve right before you. I find a tiny part of myself in every bottle and each sip will unveil something new. I hope that you fall in love with these wines as I did when making them.
Hillebrand Estate Winery 1249 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7123
Hillebrand Winery is the birthplace of fine winemaking in Niagara. More than 30 years ago, we opened our cellar doors in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the heart of Ontario's wine country. In the decades that have followed, we have been pioneers in the Canadian wine industry.
In 1983, we created the region's very first Icewine.
In 1991 we opened the first underground sparkling wine cellar.
In 1995, we were the first Canadian winery to receive highest honours with the Pichon Longeuville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy (Best Red Wine in the World) at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
In 1996 we opened the first winery restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
We look foward to continuing to make history in the beautiful region of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Inniskillin Wines Inc. 1 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-2187
Many of those who appreciate and collect wine have discovered that a journey to the heart of wine country adds an indescribable dimension to the appreciation of the distinctiveness of each fine wine. In that spirit, Inniskillin invites you to come by to fully experience our VQA wines at our wineries in both Niagara and the Okanagan Valley. Come to experience, firsthand, the full range of Inniskillin's Premium Estate Wines, while enjoying the spectacular sights, the regional culinary specialties and the outstanding hospitality in two domains that are truly two of Canada's great natural treasures - the Niagara Peninsula and the Okanagan Valley. We look forward to toasting your arrival!
Jackson-Triggs 2145 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-4637
When you visit the Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate winery you will get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at how we craft our finest wines. Beginning in the Vineyard, an intimate guided tour becomes an exploration of every aspect of winemaking, culminating with a tasting in our boutique or at our Grand Reserve Tasting Bar. Or come join us in our Tasting Gallery overlooking the vineyard to enjoy a unique food and wine sensory experience.
Tours of our state-of-the-art gravity-flow assisted winery reveal one of the most technologically advanced facilities in Canada, designed exclusively for the production of super and ultra premium VQA wines.
Our summer amphitheatre performances and culinary experiences marry the artistry of internationally acclaimed talent with the romance of an evening under the stars in the vineyard.
Joseph's Estate Wines 1811 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1259
We're happy to answer your questions and help you discover our excellent award-winning wines. While in Niagara-on-the-Lake, please visit us for a tour and tasting. We're here to serve you year-round. Our picturesque 20-acre estate winery boutique is conveniently located in the heart of Niagara wine country, between the Village of Virgil and the Olde Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Joseph and his experienced staff invite you to sample our Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Vidal Icewine, Chancellor, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc Icewine, Merlot, Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cream Sherry, Port and more.
Kacaba Vineyards 3550 King St. Vineland 905-562-5625
Kacaba Vineyard's philosophy is dependent upon small quantities. Our production is limited by our ability to handle and manage quantities that can be produced mainly by hand. Pumping is kept to a minimum and gravity is used for bottling and racking. This methodology is quite simple really - we lift our tanks and barrels with a forklift.
Our goal is to produce ultra-premium wines along with more moderately priced varieties necessary for the economic well being of a winery. Our wines are meant to be drunk at release or cellared depending on the variety and vintage. We are therefore striving to produce more fruit-driven wines and those with more finesse and character.
We strive to encourage sustainable agriculture which involves not only good husbandry of our lands but the proposition that agriculture is a valuable resource and ought to be maintained and encouraged.
King's Court Estate Winery 2083 Seventh St. St. Catharines 905-687-8965
Located between majestic Lake Ontario and the historic Niagara Escarpment, our vines benefit from a unique microclimate like no other in the world. Once our grapes are ripe, our training and experience as winemakers of tradition allows us to craft distinctive and historic wines.
Like our vines, our roots are deep and we too are constantly growing and reaching for new heights. As we are not yet open to the general public, it makes finding our wines more difficult, but greatly rewarding to those who do.
In response to popular demand, we gladly offer you our story and our wines through our website. We offer distinctive wines at wholesale prices sold in multiples of 6 bottles. We are happy to ship anywhere within Canada and the world, simply contact us for delivery to your location.
Kittling Ridge Wines & Spirits 297 South Service Rd. Grimsby 905-945-9225
The highest elevation of the Niagara Escarpment at Beamer’s Point in Grimsby is a landmark for Kittling Ridge Estate Wines & Spirits. Tucked between the majestic backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment and the southern shores of Lake Ontario, at the Gateway to Niagara Wine Country, Kittling Ridge draws its name from the ridge that creates the excellent growing conditions surrounding the winery. Each spring, migrating hawks and eagles use the warm air currents that the ridge creates to gain altitude as they travel north. Their circling, as they ride the thermals, is traditionally known as kittling.
A special blend of tradition and innovation sets Kittling Ridge apart. As both a winery and distillery, Kittling Ridge offers visitors something they can’t see anywhere else in wine country. From the fruit processing area and fermentation cellars, to the copper pot and column still towers, and the oak barrel ageing cellars, Kittling Ridge is impressive.
Owner, winemaker and whisky maker John Hall, purchased the facility in 1992. Since then Kittling Ridge has won wide recognition for its innovative approach to wine making and distilling. A proud recipient of thousands of international awards, including being named 2008 Canadian Distillery of the year by Whisky Magazine, the company offers a diverse portfolio, including Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky, Prince Igor Vodka and Icewine & Brandy.
At Kittling Ridge, the ultimate goal is to provide customers with a memorable experience and quality products. Hall states, "We want to create something unique in the world of wines & spirits, something that gives people a taste adventure."
Konzelmann Estate Winery 1096 Lakeshore Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-935-2866
Niagara's Exclusive Lakefront Winery, was established in Canada in 1984. Herbert Konzelmann chose the site on the shores of Lake Ontario due to the meso-climate, which is similar to the Alsace region in France. The wonderful balance of sun, soil, airflow and moisture conditions of this vineyard are ideal for the production of clean, delicate and fruity premium quality wines.
Join us at 'The Konzelmann Winery Boutique and Tasting Bar', and discover why we are heralded for providing one of the most friendly, informative and educational experiences in Niagara's wine country. All year round we offer a wide variety of over 30 different VQA selections of quality wine for tasting and for purchase. Consequently, if you are looking for a particular favorite variety of wine or have an interest in discovering a new one, we have it here for you!
We welcome you to tour our family vineyard to learn of our past and present history as a winery and to educate yourself of our traditional wine making techniques, which date back over a century. Looking for a new experience? Our indoor and outdoor special events throughout the year are always memorable, educational and entertaining occasions.
In the case of living elsewhere than Ontario and your interest lies in tasting or purchasing Konzelmann wines, we encourage you to review our list of distributors. This list will provide you with a link to our colleagues, who will be able to assist you with all your inquiries of where and how purchases can be made in your specific area or destination.
We take pride in our National and Internationally acclaimed Wines and Icewines, so visit us here in gorgeous Niagara-on-the-Lake and discover what Niagara's Exclusive Lakefront Winery has to offer.
Lailey Vineyard Wines Inc. 15940 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7027
"Winemaker Derek Barnett has a knack for crafting wonderfully complex wines." VINES May/June 2005
Winemaker Derek Barnett "has vaulted Lailey into the top-five category of local wineries. Some of the best Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Merlot wines to be had in Ontario." Billy Munnelly, Billy's Best Wines for 2005. 15th Edition
"Winemaker Derek Barnett has a sterling reputation for Chardonnays, which can only be enhanced by the string of amazing examples he was able to produce in 2002." VINES. May/June 2005
Derek was born in England and studied agriculture in the UK. He came to Canada to work in agriculture in 1973. In 1991, he had the opportunity to make wine for a small winery north of Toronto called Southbrook winery. While at Southbrook, Derek made strong connections with vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including Lailey vineyard.
Derek's passion for winemaking and his expertise developed over ten years of making wine at Southbrook. There, he learned to express the terroir of Niagara. He earned many awards for his wine, and was voted Winemaker of the year in 2000 at the Air Ontario wine awards. In the fall of 2001, Derek moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake to become winemaker and business partner at Lailey Vineyard.
Now with access to some of the oldest vines in Canada, planted in 1970 at Lailey Vineyard by Donna and David Lailey, Derek is crafting world-class wines. His particular talent is in making elegant wines by allowing the fruit characteristics to evolve from the grapes naturally. Derek has a keen ability to recognize what arrives from the vineyard. He then goes to work developing the expression of what he has found naturally occurring in each variety and in each distinct vintage.
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc are Derek's favourite varietals, but they also provide the greatest challenges. With all grapes, the balance of acid, fruit and sugar at harvest is central to quality wine production. This is especially true for the three varietals Derek has chosen as his favourites.
Derek ferments in small batches so that he can watch closely the differences in flavours related to specific clones, yeast selections, harvest dates and vine canopies. He pursues passionately the specific conditions and techniques that develop or enable the expression of certain aromas, flavours and textures in the wine.
All of Derek’s winemaking efforts have the dinner table in mind. In other words, his wines show especially well with food, as he believes that wine is essential to a well-balanced and delicious dining experience.
Lakeview Cellars Winery 4037 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-5685
What’s New… Dan Aykroyd Wine of the Year - 2008 Ontario Wine Awards Dan Aykroyd Signature Reserve Vidal Icewine Receives Wine of the Year Award The wine received this prestigious award at a record breaking year for the Ontario Wine Awards. A total of 69 wineries entered a total of 463 wines!R>
Tasting Notes: A gorgeous copper colour, this Vidal icewine displays a rich and fragrant nose of apricots, orange honey and peaches, with mingling aromas of butterscotch and toffee. The palate presents deep and complex flavours of sweet honey, ripe tropical fruits, butterscotch with delicate hints of lychee and ginger throughout. This sweet wine is well balanced and shows good acidity in the finish.
The Dan Aykroyd Signature Reserve Vidal Icewine is available in limited quantities and can be purchased for $79.95 which includes the collectors wood box (shown at right). This wine is currently available at Lakeview Cellars and select LCBO Vintages stores across Ontario and will be made available elsewhere in Canada later this year
Legends Estate Winery 4888 Ontario St. Beamsville 905-563-6500
Magnotta 4701 Ontario St. Beamsville 905-563-5313
Magnotta is Ontario's third largest winery and the only company of its kind in Canada licensed to produce and sell wine, beer and distilled products. With over 2,500 awards to date for product excellence, Magnotta is Canada's most award winning winery.
Magnotta is the proud recipient of Vaughan's Business of the Year Award and a platinum member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies.
Magnotta offers an exceptional winery experience with over 180 VQA and International Series wines to enjoy, gourmet food items and accessories, displays of original artwork, tours of our wine making facilities, product tasting bars, weekly in-store events, expertly trained staff and winery direct pricing.
The road to Magnotta’s success has been paved with adversity, innovation, creativity, good people and great wine. In 1990, Co-Founders Gabe and Rossana Magnotta saw a world of opportunity through entrepreneurial eyes and the public was quick to recognize the quality and value of the products they created. In less than 15 years, Magnotta became Ontario’s 3rd largest winery in volume of sales.
It was the LCBO’s last minute announcement in 1990 that they had no shelf space available for Magnotta products that triggered an emergency re-draft of their marketing plans. Selling directly to the public, they overcame adversity, offering consumers a high-quality, low-cost alternative that earned the company the mark of excellence. Ten and a half years later, Magnotta and the LCBO reached a mediated settlement; this brought some of Magnotta’s Icewines into select LCBO stores across Ontario.
Today, Magnotta Winery has multiple locations, strategically located throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Southwestern Ontario and the Niagara Peninsula.
Magnotta’s 75,000 square foot flagship head office, winery, brewery, and distillery is located in Vaughan, Ontario, just a few minutes north of Toronto. Opened in May of 1997, this architectural triumph is the extraordinary vision of both Rossana and Gabe. It features a state of the art wine making facility, microbrewery, copper pot distillery, extensive original art gallery (remarkable paintings and exquisite sculptures) and an impressive wine boutique. The winery is visited by thousands of tourists and customers annually; all are swept away by its graceful ambiance and creative display of truly exceptional world-class wines.
The company has more than 180 acres of vineyards in the heart of Ontario’s Niagara grape growing region. Located in Niagara, Magnotta Beamsville houses a state of the art crushing facility–this allows the winery to have complete control over the quality of the press. With numerous VQA varietals now available, this standard of quality control is very important. In addition to its vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula, Magnotta’s own international vineyards include over 351 acres in the Maipo Valley, Chile’s most sought after growing region. With the recent international interest in and praise of South American wines, Magnotta is again on the cutting edge, offering a diverse selection of Chilean blends.
With increased capacity, Magnotta continues to grow and expand its market. Nationally, Magnotta has distributors in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and eastern Canada. International markets include exports to the United States, Taiwan and China.
Maleta Vineyards 450 Queenston Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-685-8486
Maleta Estate Winery is a small premium winery, with vineyards enjoying a favourable mesoclimate, located in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula.
Maleta specializes in premium and ultra-premium VQA (Vintners' Quality Alliance) Ontario wines such as its flagship Meritage, an award-winning Bordeaux-style, oak-aged red wine produced from high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes grown at the property.
Maleta's success is the result of meticulous vineyard management practices coupled with passionate and traditional winemaking techniques.
Malivoire Wine Company 4260 King St. East Beamsville 905-563-9253
In Canada's lower Great Lakes region an isthmus, popularly known as the Niagara Peninsula, divides Lake Erie from Lake Ontario. The Peninsula takes its name from the Niagara Escarpment, the rocky north-east fringe of a tropical sea that 450 million years ago filled a shallow depression in the earth's crust. Partially in-filled by glacial and other sediments, the depression now cradles Lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie. A sliver of land squeezed between the north face of the Niagara Escarpment and the south shore of Lake Ontario is today one of Canada's rare winegrowing pockets.
There is a widespread impression that Canadian viticulture and viniculture did not exist in a meaningful way before the late 1900s. True, early Canadian wine had little or no impact (or appeal) beyond its domestic market. What is not widely recognized is that the industry had been evolving here for generations.
Native grape varieties were known to North America's earliest inhabitants and Canada's first commercial vineyard was established in 1811 when an emigrant from Germany, Johann Schiller, planted cuttings of local labrusca vines on his farm in what is now the city of Mississauga.
Vineyards planted to native hybrids spread across southern Ontario through the mid-1800s but the cultivation of traditional wine grape varieties was not yet possible. North American pests and the Canadian climate's legendary adversity thwarted early efforts.
The late 1940s saw the first Niagara plantings of European varieties. This had become feasible with the success of grape breeders who had learned how to graft vinifera vines to native North American roots, enabling the more delicate vinifera to withstand New World pests. Others had developed promising hybrid varieties by successfully crossing Old World and New World vines.
A key to Niagara's success as a wine region today is the climatic effect that results from the combined influences of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. The escarpment draws prevailing easterly winds back to land from over the lake. The lake moderates the air temperature, warming it through fall and cooling it through summer, creating friendly conditions for the growth and ripening of vinifera grapes. Wine grape growing succeeds here because the lake and the escarpment are both present.
Enter Martin Malivoire and Moira Saganski. In 1995, intrigued by the emerging potential of Niagara as a wine region, Martin and Moira purchased a site below the escarpment in what is now known as the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation.
This happened at a time when Martin and Moira were looking for ways to fulfill their personal and professional aspirations. Among these were their desires to invest materially and intellectually in a shared business, to pursue their interest in viticulture and wine, and to migrate from their urban lifestyle to a more rural-agrarian one.
They had flirted with the idea of vineyard ownership for at least ten years and had admired sites in some of Europe's greatest wine regions, but could not contemplate leaving Canada. What transformed their thoughts to action was a series of contacts with convincing individuals including Donald Ziraldo, Len Penachetti, Paul Speck, Tom Muckle and Bill Lenko. These intelligent, dedicated people shared a conviction that the Niagara Peninsula had the elements to become one of the world's great wine regions.
Martin was shown evidence that sites on the Beamsville Bench demonstrated enormous potential when planted to compatible grape varieties. He had found his missing link. The ownership of a first-quality vineyard in Canada would enable the achievement of the very goals that he and Moira had been hoping to realize.
What followed was an intensive two-year search for sites that would meet strict criteria. With his University of Guelph School of Agriculture training and the advice of some of Canada's most distinguished viticulturalists, Martin was well prepared. Sites were assessed according to size, location, soil composition and drainage. Some cues were obtained from Cave Spring, Stoney Ridge and Vineland Estates, which were already operating proficient vineyards along the Beamsville Bench.
The future winery's first vineyard, the "Moira", was purchased in 1995. A year later Martin and Moira acquired a second and larger property a short distance to the west. This would become the site of the winery.
Now came the selection of grape varieties. Martin was determined to find varieties that would most benefit from his vineyards' locations and microclimates, would consistently yield healthy, ripe fruit, and would yield grapes whose flavours would be advanced by his vineyards' sand, clay and calcium-limestone soils.
When tasting wines from Beamsville Bench grapes, Martin found that the best consistently displayed cool-climate acidity, pronounced minerality, and often a pink-grapefruit nuance; qualities reminiscent of Burgundian wines. This, along with the similarities between the climates of Burgundy and the north Niagara Peninsula encouraged him to focus on grape varieties typically to northeastern France. Between 1995 and 2000, close to 50 acres were planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Malivoire has also signed long-term agreements to farm older Bench vineyards. We currently steward the Epp Vineyard southeast of Jordan and the Eastman Vineyard west of Vineland under lease.
All things have been done in concert with our founding philosophy, that Malivoire's soil, climate, grape varieties and winemaking methods must yield results equal to or better than those anywhere else where wine grapes are grown.
Maple Grove Vinoteca Estate Winery 4063 North Service Rd. Beamsville 905-562-7415
Marynissen Estates RR #6 Concession 1 Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7270
Welcome to Marynissen Estates Wines! At Marynissen Estates, we believe that exceptional wines come from exceptional grapes. With this in mind, the Marynissen family established the winery in 1990 in Niagara-on-the-Lake to bring to you our own estate grown and bottled wines. Open all year! Please feel free to visit us if you are in the Niagara area! We would be pleased to provide you with a group tour or answer any questions you might have about our excellent wines or our winery. Check our event schedule for upcoming event
John Marynissen, vintner, came to Canada from Holland in 1952 and began growing grapes with his wife Nanny. Realizing the importance of Vinifera grapes for the production of quality wines, John switched to planting vinifera vines in the 1970's.
John was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in Canada in 1978, and has some of the oldest vinefera vines in Ontario. These vines, combined with Niagara's unique micro-climate provide the infrastructure for Marynissen Estates wines.
About The Winemaker Prior to the establishment of Marynissen Estates, John Marynissen received several awards for his winemaking. For his vineyards, John was awarded the title of Grape King in 1978. His 1987 Riesling won the Best Estate Bottled Wine Award at the American Wine Society competition in 1989 in Pittsburgh.
John was voted as the Grand Champion in St. Catharines, Ontario. In the fall of 1990, John won the Best of Show Award for his 1989 Chardonnay and the Konstantin Frank Award for Best Vinefera Wine at the American Wine Society competition in Philadelphia. This proves to us all that great wine can be made from Canadian grown grapes!
Mountain Road Wine Company 4016 Mountain Rd. Beamsville 905-563-0745
Visit a genuine family farm and winery and sample premium wines from the Beamsville Bench. Stroll the sloping vineyards planted in 1983 and view the spectacular panorama of Lake Ontario’s near and far shorelines. Free tastings of award-winning wines offered.
Niagara College Teaching Winery 135 Taylor Road Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-641-2252
WINE FACTS Ontario's wine industry is centred in the Niagara Peninsula with more than 70 wineries and 16,000 acres of vitis vinifera grapes. Sales in Ontario were $327 million for 2000. The industry currently employs more than 5,000 people and has experienced rapid growth over the past decade.
A Vision for the Year 2020:
The Ontario wine industry will be a $1.5 billion industry and a major contributor to Ontario's economic growth and prosperity.
The Ontario wine industry currently employs more than 5,000 people and is poised for continued growth in the next decade. The Wine Council of Ontario predicts that the industry will employ more than 13,500 people by 2020.
Ontario wine consumers will choose Ontario reds and whites for more than 60% of their premium wine purchases.
More than 90% of the grapes grown in Ontario will be used to produce premium VQA wines.
What is VQA?
Vintners Quality Alliance sets the standards for Ontario wines. If the wine bottle bears the VQA medallion, the wine has been made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes. These wines are subject to rigorous quality tests. The mark of the VQA guarantees that consumers will be drinking the finest quality Ontario wine.
Palatine Hills Estate Winery ~ Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-646-9617
Located in the historic Niagara-on-the-Lake district, Palatine Hills is an award-winning winery offering freshly harvested juices (ideal for the home-brew enthusiast) and wines that will satisify even the most discerning of palates.
Having successfully sold their grapes to other wineries for more than 30 years, owners John and Barbara Neufeld found themselves with a surplus in 1998, and decided to collaborate with winemaker David Hojnoski to produce a small batch of icewine.
By 2001, they were making table wines and juices for export to New York and Pennsylvania. And in 2003, their 1998 Vidal Icewine went on to win Ontario Wine of the Year.
The overwhelming public reaction first prompted the Neufelds to open a small retail store, right here at the vineyard (pictured left). Its continuing success has lead to an expansion of our facilities on site, and to Palatine Hills taking the next logical step: developing a solid reputation of online sales throughout North America.
At PalatineHillsEstateWinery.com, our aim is to tempt your palate with details of our latest harvest, word of yet another award for our exquisite wines, and news of an upcoming event - that you, too can attend - here at the winery.
Peller Estate Winery 550 King St. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-4678
It all began in 1958, when my grandfather, Andrew Peller, first arrived in Canada from Hungary. Having owned a series of successful businesses, he came here to finally pursue his dream. He envisioned a day when Canadians, like Europeans, would come to appreciate premium-quality wines and enjoy sharing them with family and friends.
After exhaustive research, he decided to plant his first vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and, soon afterwards, to open a modest winery in that province as well. As the seeds of his dream were firmly taking root out West, he began looking eastward. Many years and countless setbacks later, he and my father, Joe (who was by then very much involved in the family business), finally made a breakthrough. An offer to purchase a winery and winemaking license in Ontario was accepted in the spring of 1969.
Now, almost 50 years since my grandfather raised a glass to toast his very first vintage, our family proudly carries on his tradition of crafting wine with an uncommon commitment to quality. In fact, our goals today are higher than ever before as we aim to produce wines that rank among the best in the world.
And our efforts have not gone unnoticed. We have won many prestigious awards for signature products, like Icewine, as well as Chardonnays and Rieslings, which are as good or better than those produced anywhere abroad. We have also earned international acclaim, being recently named Best Canadian Winery of the Year at London’s International Wine & Spirit Competition. My grandfather would indeed be proud of what has grown from those first vines.
We have certainly accomplished great things since our humble beginnings, yet I believe the best is still to come. In the last ten years alone, we have learned so much about the grape growing process. Globally speaking, the Canadian wine industry has only begun to reach its true potential. It’s very exciting to be a part of that growth.
Over the next quarter century, we will continue to develop our super-premium offerings patiently and skillfully, without cutting corners. And we will expand our network of ultra-premium grape growers to ensure we obtain only the very best fruit. It is this exceptional care and attention, from vine to bottle, that has brought us here. And it is this same care and attention that will ensure we realize the dream my grandfather started so many years ago.
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Ltd. 5600 King St. Beamsville 905-563-0900
Since our opening in August 2000, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery has been committed to producing the finest wines Niagara has to offer. From the very earliest planning stages, owner Norman Beal has made every effort to meet the many requirements for producing world-class wines in Niagara.
Our winery property encompasses 80 acres on the Niagara Escarpment, which is designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Our vineyards are located on the Beamsville Bench, considered by many to be one of the premier grape growing regions in Canada. We have planted 42 acres of vinifera grapes and also manage a neighbouring 43-acre vineyard, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. In addition, Peninsula Ridge has entered into long-term contracts with some of the best growers in Niagara to ensure the finest-quality fruit for our wines.
Pillitteri Estates Winery 1696 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-3147
Pillitteri's winemaking philosophy is quite simple: "To produce the finest VQA wines possible from the highest quality grapes grown in Niagara ."
This approach has earned Pillitteri Estates over 450 international and domestic medals, including the coveted Civart Trophy, and Grand Golds from Vinitaly.
Award winning VQA wines include full-bodied red wines from Bordeaux cultivars; lively, fresh white wines; and exquisite varietals of their flagship product, Icewine.
As the world’s largest estate producer of Icewine, Pillitteri is also recognized as one of the most innovative, creating diverse and award-winning varietals such as Chardonnay, Shiraz and Semillon Icewines.
The family's commitment to producing wine of exceptional quality and character is demonstrated in each bottle bearing the Pillitteri name.
Puddicombe Farms 455 Hwy. #18 East Winona 905-643-1015
Welcome to the world of Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery
We are a 210 year old family fruit farm. Our story begins in 1797 as cattle farmers. In the early 1900's we became fruit farmers.
1940 saw the planting of the first vineyard and today we are a working farm of approximately 300 acres of fruit. To keep up with changing times our owner Murray Puddicombe along with a wine master Jim Warren, formed a partnership and Stoney Ridge Winery was brought to our location. Also born at the same time was a general store, bake shop, and cafe. Introduced a few years later was an agricultural train and a pick your own operation.
Ten years and much growth later saw the winery outgrow the vision that our owner had had. The winery was sold and moved, and within three years Puddicombe Estate Farms and Winery opened it's doors.
Many of the guests that visit with us here on the farm are always amazed at all the farm has to offer.
Reif Estate Winery 15608 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7738
winemaking town of Neustadt, located in the heart of the world renowned Rhine River Valley in Germany. In 1977, this tradition transcended to a new continent, when founder Ewald Reif purchased a plot of land on the fertile banks of the Niagara River. After carefully nurturing the land for six years, the potential of these young vineyards became evident when the doors of Reif Estate winery were officially opened in 1983. The winery's first vintage included a selection of vitis vinifera varietal wines (such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer) alongside French hybrids (such as Vidal).
In 1987, Klaus W. Reif took over the reins from his uncle Ewald, as the president and winemaker at Reif Estate Winery. After having been born into a winemaking family with roots tracing back 12 generations; Klaus' future as a winemaker may have been preordained. He enrolled in the world famous Geisenheim Institute in Germany and graduated with degrees in both Oenology and Viticulture. When he took over the Estate, Klaus applied not only his recent education to his winemaking philosophies, but also the 12 generations of tradition that stood behind him.
In 1990, Klaus was joined by Roberto DiDomenico as the newest member of the winemaking team. As a recent graduate of the University of Guelph with a specialized Honours Microbiology degree, Roberto began to work closely with Klaus to further develop the vineyards. Focusing on the thinning and pruning of the vines, the quality of the grapes is improved naturally, thus remaining true to our philosophies that "nature itself makes the wine". Here at Reif Estate our vitis vinifera plantings of Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz are allowed to reach their full potential before harvest. Klaus and Roberto believe that real winemaking depends on the quality of the vineyard and its product. Today we are "growing wine in the vineyard", where our winemakers strongly believe that an outstanding wine can only be produced by first producing premium grapes.
Ridgepoint Wines 3900 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-8853
Ridgepoint Wines is a small estate winery on the Niagara Escarpment, dedicated to the production of premium and ultra-premium wines from estate-grown Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir grapes.
Ridgepoint Wines is also responsible for the first commercial bottling of Nebbiolo (source of the renowned Barolo wines of the Piedmont region of Italy) in Ontario.
The Ridgepoint Wines vineyards were planted in 1995, and has 18 acres (of the total 20 acres) planted to premium vinifera (winemaking) grapes. More than half is planted to three red varieties, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ridgepoint Wines began its introduction to the wine-drinking public with a range of consumer-friendly whites and 'quaffing reds' in the fall of 2003.
Riverview Cellars 15376 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-262-0636
Rockway Glen Estate Winery 3290 Ninth St. Louth St. Catharines 905-641-5771
Royal DeMaria 4551 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-6767
Growing up on a family fruit farm just around the corner from Rockway Glen, I was exposed to wine and winemaking from a very young age. From drinking Grandpa’s homemade Italian wine, to helping my parents craft unique fruit wines and blends from our own homegrown fruit. To everyone who knew me, it was no big surprise that during a High School Co-Op Placement with a local Niagara winery, I made the decision to enter a career in the wine industry - but I still had to choose what aspect I wished to focus on. Lucky for me, in the fall of 2000 Niagara College offered the new Diploma program for Winery and Viticulture Technician. Preparing students in every area of the wine industry, from grape growing and viticulture, winemaking and fermentation chemistry and biology, to the end marketing and sales. This program seemed to be custom fit to my needs! After graduating from Niagara College in 2003 at the age of 20, still unable to decide what direction my wine career was going to take, I was grateful to take a position at another large local winery. My time there allowed me to work in their cellars AND vineyards! In the spring I worked in the vineyards, tending to the vines all season and through to harvest. As the harvest took off I then followed the grapes to the winery and took part in the crushing and pressing and entire winemaking process. Later, in 2006 I accepted the position as Assistant Winemaker here at Rockway Glen where I worked alongside Jeff Innes until the winter of 2007 when I took over as Rockway Glen's Head Wine Maker. The most important lesson I have learned will never be forgotten, Wine can only be as great as the grapes it’s made from! By taking on the role as the Head Winemaker, and by working closely with the Vineyard Manager, I am able to ensure only the top quality grapes go into making our premium crafted VQA wines and I look forward to the vintages to come!
Stonechurch Vineyards 1242 Irvine Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-935-3535
Established in 1990, Stonechurch Vineyards was born out of a belief that good wine and good friends make a perfect pairing.
Situated in the heart of Niagara we are less than a one hour drive from Toronto, Ontario and 45 minutes from Buffalo, New York.
Our aim is to make your visit an unforgettable experience…great wines, picturesque landscapes, the serenity of nature all come together to create an ambiance that will touch your soul.
Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are waiting to welcome you with open arms. So come to Niagara and visit us at Stonechurch Vineyards…Unique and fine wines for every occasion.
Stoney Ridge Cellars 3201 King St. Vineland 905-562-1324
In July of 1985, Stoney Ridge Cellars became the 18th licensed winery in the fledgling Ontario wine industry. The winery had inauspicious beginnings at the Weylie farm on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek, consisting of a small barn and garage that served as a retail boutique. Under the direction of Winemaker Jim Warren and his two business partners, Stoney Ridge's first vintage consisted of 500 cases of 11 different wines, produced entirely by hand. Stoney Ridge Cellars had a commitment to "make small amounts of the very best wine possible from Ontario Grapes."
Four years later, Stoney Ridge Cellars had increased production to 4,000 cases annually. With the uncertain beginnings of Free Trade and its effects on the young Ontario wine industry, the government came to grape growers with 'The Pull-Out Program', providing wine grape growers a financial remuneration to remove all of their vines. Jim's partner agreed to the government's offer and removed his grape vines, replacing them with Christmas Trees. Jim realized he needed a new partner/grower more committed to Ontario wine.
In 1989 Jim formed a new partnership with a Winnona grape and tender fruit farmer Murray Puddicombe. The new facility was upgraded with more sophisticated winemaking equipment and was located just below the escarpment from the original location. With greater access to a wider selection of grapes, a new bottling line and more tanks and barrels, the Stoney Ridge wine portfolio grew by leaps and bounds. By 1997 production was at 26,000 cases annually with over 60 different wine products. Stoney Ridge developed a reputation for having unique and exotic wines that all possessed the inimitable style that was a signature of winemaker Jim Warren. Jim and Stoney Ridge became very well known by wine writers and enthusiasts alike, garnering more awards than any other Canadian winery. Innovative products such as Canada's first Unoaked Chardonnay and Cranberry Fruit wine captured the attention of the public while award winning classic varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Cabernet Franc boosted the winery's industry status. Jim's efforts were officially recognized when he was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 1997. Although tremendously successful, the partnership between the two owners dissolved as the two decided to singularly re-direct their respective business practices.
Stoney Ridge's third phase was generated by a new partnership with an Ottawa-based investment group and a re-location to the heart of the wine industry, Vineland Ontario. A small operation called Wines of Woods End merged with Stoney Ridge to lend their marketing expertise. The winery continued to produce benchmark wines winning international acclaim such as the Civart Trophy in Bordeaux France. Jim made the decision to sell his ownership portion of the winery to better focus on winemaking.
In the spring of 1999, Jim announced plans for his retirement from Stoney Ridge, and began to mentor assistant winemaker Liubomir Popovici to take over his role. Liubomir was the former chief winemaker for Romania's largest wine and spirits producer, and brought excellent credentials to his role, making a smooth transition in 2000.
As a business, Stoney Ridge Cellars entered a tumultuous time for the remaining owners had differing views of the company's direction. All was resolved in April of 2002 as Stoney Ridge began refocusing the winery towards the craft production of premium Niagara wine. With the edition of a Pinot Noir vineyard to the winery property, the winery name was changed to Stoney Ridge Estate Winery. This decision reflected the commitment to continue the Stoney Ridge tradition of honouring viticultural excellence and winemaking expertise begun by Jim in 1985, while maintaining its strict quality-controlled output of 40,000 cases of VQA wines.
Today, Stoney Ridge Estate Winery produces a wide array of 100% Niagara wines, featuring more than 30 products that include a full complement of VQA varietals, ports, and Icewines. In addition Stoney Ridge continues to produce one of its trademark products - the popular Cranberry Wine. In a unique return to his winemaking roots, Jim Warren will create a new Founder's Signature Collection for Stoney Ridge. Representing a creative partnership between Liubomir and Jim, this unique bottling will reflect Jim's personal winemaking philosophy of producing the best wine possible from the best grapes grown.
In October of 2002 the Stoney Ridge Wine Library was unveiled, a unique collection of limited edition wines and back vintages previously unreleased to the public. The library is a unique window into the history of winemaking at Stoney Ridge and of the Ontario Wine Industry as well.
The Stoney Ridge name has always been synonymous with quality and outstanding vintages. With Liubomir's passion and talent Stoney Ridge continues to receive accolades, recognized for the uncompromising commitment to quality. The discovery and opening of the Stoney Ridge Wine Library is testament to that continuing quest for quality, proof of Niagara's depth and winemaking expertise, and the development and maturation of the Ontario wine Industry. Stoney Ridge will play a key role in this continuing evolution.
Stratus Winery 2059 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1806
Stratus Vineyards, established in 2000, is a sustainable, innovative winery located in the heart of Niagara wine country in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stratus is dedicated to growing and producing limited quantities of premium wine in the VQA Niagara Lakeshore appellation.
The Stratus vineyard is a mature fifty-five acre estate moderated by the effects of two bodies of water: the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Benefiting from a unique mesoclimate, the vineyard ranks among the warmest sites in Niagara. Viticultural practices adhere to the principles of rigorously low yields and a harvest mandate that relies on handpicking and meticulous attention to fruit selection.
The winery is a marvel of efficiency, sustainability and flexibility. It is a building designed to produce limited quantities of wine based on a true gravity-flow system.
Winemaking at Stratus is led by J-L Groux. A native of the Loire Valley in France, J-L has been honoured as “Ontario Winemaker of the Year” and is renowned for his passion for creating distinctive wines based on the principle of assemblage.
J-L, our winemaker, believes that the art of assemblage is the quintessence of winemaking. Assemblage refers to the crafting of several grape varieties to create layered wines of complexity, wines that are a true expression of the vineyard's terroir. The synergy created with assemblage reflects the age-old theory that the sum is greater than the parts. Our two signature assemblage wines are Stratus White and Stratus Red. Critically acclaimed, these wines have quickly become benchmarks of quality within the Canadian wine industry. Stratus is committed to responsible stewardship of the land. As a result, the winery is the first building in Canada to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Stratus is at present the only winery worldwide to fully achieve this designation. Environmental sustainability is a core value of all involved in the design and operation of Stratus.
Stratus is a proud new member of the Canadian wine industry and is committed to building on the existing foundations of quality-oriented pioneers and wineries in efforts to anchor Niagara as one of the world’s great wine regions.
Strewn Winery 1339 Lakeshore Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1229
Located just outside the Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Strewn is a very special destination. Discover our award winning VQA wines, our knowledgeable and friendly staff, and our monthly wine education events. Enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurant at Strewn or participate in a hands-on cooking class at Canada's only winery cooking school. It's all here waiting for you!
Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery 1425 Lakeshore Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1122
Fruit Wines Fruit wines were the first wines made in Niagara-on the-Lake. In the 1700’s British soldiers garrisoned at Fort George in Newark (what is now Niagara-on the-Lake) made wine from apples and other locally grown fruits. The wife of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, when Newark was the capital of the newly created province of Upper Canada (Ontario) in 1792/1793, wrote down her recipes. In this document at Fort George she included instructions for making Apple Wine. There are over 25 fruit wineries in New Zealand and Australia, 200 in the United States, and 180 cideries and fruit wineries in the European Union. Like the fruit wineries in Canada, these are small wineries although some of the large wineries are now also making fruit wines. top
Sunnybrook Farm Wines Unfortunately, many people’s perception is that fruit wines are heavy and syrupy, reminiscent of the stuff old Uncle George made in the basement and abandoned years ago because he didn’t know what he was doing and didn’t like it either! The typical reaction of customers in Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery’s store is “WOW!”. Our 100% fruit wines are light and balanced and a pleasure to drink. Grape wine offers several varieties of one species of fruit, whereas other-than-grape fruit wines are made from many different species of fruit, each with its own unique characteristics and a wonderful variety of flavours. Our wines are made from 100% fruit, not grape-based and not fortified. The fermentation process is similar to that of grape wine although more care must be taken during the process to avoid undesired fermentations. We do not age in oak because we want to maintain the true characteristics of each fruit. You may let Sunnybrook Farm wines age for three to five years, but no longer.
Fruit Wines of Canada - Fruit Wines of Ontario Fruit Wines of Ontario is an association of wineries whose mission is to promote the sale of wines made from fruit other than grape. Some members produce 100% fruit wines while others also produce grape wines or blends of the two. The association has developed a set of Quality Certified (QC) standards, which is regulated by the national body, Fruit Wines of Canada. The QC program is modeled on the VQA regulations and functions with the co-operation of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) who taste and test fruit wines on the same basis as VQA grape wines.
Tawse Winery 3955 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-9500
As a small winery we prefer spending time with our customers, so we generally don’t encourage bus tours. Barrel tasting and winery tours can be arranged for small groups of enthusiasts for a small fee.
We passionately believed in practicing traditional artisanal winemaking techniques. We also believed that enhancing these techniques with state-of-the-art gravity-fed processing and natural geo-thermal energy would allow us to gently and skillfully process each varietal bringing out its individual nuances and characteristics without compromise.
So it became our mission to create an innovative, ecologically friendly winemaking facility and invite some of the world’s most renowned winemaking expertise, such as Pascal Marchand from Burgundy to help us with our goal of making Canada’s finest wines.
At Tawse we don’t believe quality is something you can arrive at quickly. Crafting our wines takes more time, but the results are truly worth the wait. Today the Tawse Winery produces exceptional premium wines in very limited quantities. Thankfully our hard work has been appreciated, as many critics have graciously noted that Tawse is successfully creating some of the most outstanding wines in Ontario.
The Tawse Winery is nestled in the gentle slopes of our 32-acre vineyard located on the Vineland Double Bench of the Niagara Escarpment. In designing our facility we had three goals in mind. First, design a winery that uses the naturally sloping terrain to create a six level gravity flow processing facility. By using gravity, we gently handle our fruit and juice from pressing to bottling with minimum manipulation that can bruise or aerate the wine, releasing some of the intense bouquets and flavors.
Our second quest was our goal to be energy and eco friendly. We dug three cellars, 72 feet long, 28 feet wide and 12 feet deep. Each cellar has 6 to 8 feet of earth overtop keeping the ambient temperature between 10 and 16 degrees Celsius, with natural humidity of around 85%. These deep natural cellars are crucial as our wines are barrel aged for 18 months and prefer to be at a constant temperature. The high natural humidity reduces the amount of “Angel's Share” or evaporation over the long élevage period of the wine.
The processing areas of our winery are heated and cooled by a state-of-the-art Geothermal Energy system that uses heat pumps to control temperatures as they are needed at each level of the winery. By using the ambient temperature of the water in our pond outside, we reduced our use of traditional forms of energy by 80%. Our Wetland Biofilter system allows us to completely reuse all of our sanitary and winery process water. It goes back into our pond to be used for landscape irrigation as well as supporting a wetland habitat for the abundant wildlife that live on the escarpment. Our last goal was to build a perfectly engineered process facility that operates efficiently with a small staff. Each task was carefully thought out reducing the manpower needed to move hoses or equipment within the winery. Construction began in the spring of 2002 and was finally completed for the harvest of 2004 making Tawse one of the most state-of-the-art, completely gravity-fed wineries in Canada.
Thirteenth Street Wine Company 3983 13th St. Vineland 905-562-9463
The Partners (Douglas, Funk, Jacobson and Willms families) have been active in the wine industry for several decades.
At a social event in 1997, the Partners decided to build on the extensive wine growing and winemaking talent in the group, and create an enterprise that expresses our common interest in a good bottle of realistically priced wine.
Founded in 1998, The Thirteenth Street Wine Corp. specializes in small lots of estate grown and handcrafted table and sparkling wines. In 2006, winegrowers (and market gardeners) Doug and Karen Whitty joined the partnership.
This enterprise has become a labour of love and on any given day (mostly weekends because we have real jobs), there is a fair chance that you will find one or more of the Partners at the winery working on the current vintage.
Thirty Bench Vineyards 4281 Mountainview Rd. Beamsville 905-563-1698
Thomas & Vaughan Vintners 4245 King St. Beamsville 905-563-7737
Thomas & Vaughan is located in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula, a unique grape-growing region producing quality wines with international recognition. Niagara vineyards lie at the centre of the world's northern wine-growing belt and conditions rank favorably with other wine regions of the world. Our unique soil, climate and temperature is reflected in the quality of the grapes that grow in the vineyard.
As wine growers we feel that it is important to cultivate and closely monitor the grapes that go into our award-winning wines. Careful management of our 38 acre vineyard enables us to produce quality fruit that best express the character and terroir of each variety and vintage. In addition, because we are an estate winery we grow, produce and bottle all of our own wines resulting in a handcrafted product made in discriminating and limited quantities.
At Thomas & Vaughan we believe that great wines begin in the vineyard. In the winery our practice is of minimal interference with the natural characteristics of the grape variety. This combination of grape growing and precise winemaking techniques make for an exceptional product.
Trillium Hill Estate Winery 3420 Ninth St. Louth St. Catharines 905-684-4419
V.P. Cellars Estate Winery ~~ Jordan Station 905-562-0035
Willow Heights Estate Winery 3751 Regional Rd. 81 Vineland 905-562-4945
EastDell enjoys a panoramic view of rolling vineyards with Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline shimmering in the distance. Made entirely of wood and stone from the property, the winery’s rustic main building houses a wine boutique and The VIEW Restaurant.
The nature of Niagara rules in every aspect of our integrated operation – from the vineyards and winemaking practices, to the restaurant’s focus on seasonal cuisine, to the preservation of our property’s spectacular Carolinian woodlot and nature trails. Our property consists of 110 acres, of which 85 acres are planted.
Our Logo The EastDell logo depicts the blue heron which has a natural migration path across our vineyards and makes its summer feeding home in our ponds. We encourage our visitors to explore the vineyards and the 5 km trail system that meanders through the native Carolinian woodland. Enjoy it by foot or cross-country skis in winter. A section of the footpath is a designated route along the Bruce Trail. Some visitors are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the heron that frequents our property!
Featherstone Estate Winery & Vineyard 3678 Victoria Ave. Vineland 905-562-1949
Open daily (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 11:00am-5:30pm from April until the end of December -- and otherwise by appointment or chance.
Featherstone Estate Winery is located on 23 acres of rolling hills on the on the prestigious upper Twenty Mile Bench along the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada. Rich clay soils and higher elevations create a unique mesoclimate for growing grapes.
We are an insecticide-free farm, dedicated to making quality wine from only the grapes we grow ourselves. This control enables us to ensure excellence at every step from vine to bottle.
Ferndale Vineyards Inc. ~ Jordan 905-562-3494
Ferndale Vineyards Inc. 3026 8th Ave. Jordan
Frogpond Farm Organic Winery ~ Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1079
The only certified organic winery in Ontario Oecology deals with the relation of living organisms to their environment and to each other. At Frogpond Farm we do not use insecticides, herbicides, synthetic fungicides or chemical fertilizers. All our wines are organically grown, processed and certified by Organic Crop Producers & Processors. The light and the warmth of the sun manifest itself in the sweetness of the grapes allowing our wines to develop spirit, flavour and colour. All grapes are hand-picked and crafted into lively genuine wines using only gentle traditional winemaking techniques.
Rainwater caught in our pond provides a habitat for a great number of species that add to the biodiversity of our family farm. Harmony in nature provides a balanced environment for a healthy vineyard to flourish, the prerequisite for a great authentic wine.
Frogpond Farm supports clean renewable electricity and is proud to be a bullfrogpowered™ location.
Harbour Estates Winery 4362 Jordan Rd. Vineland 905-562-6279
Harbour Estate Winery is a family-owned winery which is situated on the picturesque waterfront in scenic Jordan Harbour. The winery specializes in the production of red viniferas, and is known for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot wines, and also produces a range of dessert wines and a few fruit wines.
Surrounded by lush Carolinian forest the winery has also established a trail system where visitors can embark on relaxing walks and bask in the sheer beauty of the forest. The winery’s unique locale offers visitors many scenic views so be sure to bring your camera to capture the lovely scenery. Guided tours are available where visitors will learn about the wine-making process from start to finish.
Harvest Estate Wines 1179-1215 Fourth Ave. St. Catharines 905-684-3300
St. Catharines, newest winery is in the midst of Wine Country, in the heart of the ‘Golden Horseshoe’ ~ so named because this area is Ontario’s most productive fruit growing area, and it wraps around the lake. The vision of this Winery is to capture the essence of Ontario’s freshest fruits, (even the occasional vegetable,) and put it into an attractive bottle, to allow it to be enjoyed again. The best Ontario fruits are picked from the bountiful harvest of the region, and made into fine Vintners Quality Assurance (VQA) wines, and delectable fruit wines. One half of the product list is dedicated to traditional fine table wines, and the balance is an assortment of exotic delights that feature outstanding products such as the Rhubarb, Iced Blueberry, Cranberry & Iced Pear Wines. An intriguing feature of the Winery Retail location is, that it shares space with the most successful Country Fruit Market in the region, the Harvest Barn. You can choose some of the finest Produce, Baked Goods and Wines, under one roof!
Just minutes from the Queens Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway (exit #51 Seventh St), and off the 406 (exit 4th Avenue), the location is ideal.
A highlight of any foray into the region should include a stop at Harvest Estate Wines. There are superb wines for you to enjoy, unique specialty (souvenir) wines, a viewing of some fine giftware, and of course, as well, you will find many edible treats next door at the Harvest Barn. You can create a healthy salad, pick up some wholesome oven baked breads or enjoy a more decadent treat from the bakeshop.
A vaulted ceiling, a floor to roof stone fireplace, and an open second floor, create a magnificent chalet- like splendor. The high walls play host to superb works from a variety of local Artists & Artisans. You can sample fine wines and enjoy the visual delights.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 1469 Pelham Rd. St. Catharines 905-684-8423
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery was established in 1988 with the first vintage. At that time we were one of a very few estate wineries dedicated to producing premium quality wines made from 100% Ontario grown grapes. Our focus is on vinifera grape varieties. This family of grapes includes Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, and has been cultivated by Europeans for hundreds of years proving to produce wines of distinction.
In 1984 when our father, along with each of us (Matthew, Daniel and Paul), tore out the Concord and Niagara grapes at our own expense, people thought we were crazy. When we planted Riesling and Chardonnay under newly contoured hills and under drainage, many said they would never grow. We knew, after studying the heat scans and speaking with some of the other more progressive growers, that our vineyard was not only suitable for these special varieties but also located on the prime grape growing lands of the Short Hills Bench.
Hernder Estate Wines 1607 8th Avenue St. Catharines 905-684-3300
Located in West St. Catharines in the Heart of Niagara's Wine Country Hernder's is Open 7 days a week, year round! HOURS Open seven (7) days a week from 10-5
Complimentary Tours are available for the public on Weekends at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Hernder Estate Wines - 1607 8th Avenue St. Catharines, Ontario Canada L2R 6P7
Winemaker Lydia Tomek
In 2006 I had the honour of joining the Hernder Estates Team as Head Winemaker. As one of Canada's youngest winemakers I knew Hernder Estates was the ideal place for me to express myself creatively, to flourish and to grow. My winemaking style combines older rustic traditions with new world technologies. To reflect my winemaking style (traditional, classic and fresh) as well as to mark the beginning of a new era with Hernder, we celebrated with our new label.
As you enjoy these wines you will see that all of the wines from '06 have a special story to tell and will evolve right before you. I find a tiny part of myself in every bottle and each sip will unveil something new. I hope that you fall in love with these wines as I did when making them.
Hillebrand Estate Winery 1249 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7123
Hillebrand Winery is the birthplace of fine winemaking in Niagara. More than 30 years ago, we opened our cellar doors in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the heart of Ontario's wine country. In the decades that have followed, we have been pioneers in the Canadian wine industry.
In 1983, we created the region's very first Icewine.
In 1991 we opened the first underground sparkling wine cellar.
In 1995, we were the first Canadian winery to receive highest honours with the Pichon Longeuville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy (Best Red Wine in the World) at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
In 1996 we opened the first winery restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
We look foward to continuing to make history in the beautiful region of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Inniskillin Wines Inc. 1 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-2187
Many of those who appreciate and collect wine have discovered that a journey to the heart of wine country adds an indescribable dimension to the appreciation of the distinctiveness of each fine wine. In that spirit, Inniskillin invites you to come by to fully experience our VQA wines at our wineries in both Niagara and the Okanagan Valley. Come to experience, firsthand, the full range of Inniskillin's Premium Estate Wines, while enjoying the spectacular sights, the regional culinary specialties and the outstanding hospitality in two domains that are truly two of Canada's great natural treasures - the Niagara Peninsula and the Okanagan Valley. We look forward to toasting your arrival!
Jackson-Triggs 2145 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-4637
When you visit the Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate winery you will get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at how we craft our finest wines. Beginning in the Vineyard, an intimate guided tour becomes an exploration of every aspect of winemaking, culminating with a tasting in our boutique or at our Grand Reserve Tasting Bar. Or come join us in our Tasting Gallery overlooking the vineyard to enjoy a unique food and wine sensory experience.
Tours of our state-of-the-art gravity-flow assisted winery reveal one of the most technologically advanced facilities in Canada, designed exclusively for the production of super and ultra premium VQA wines.
Our summer amphitheatre performances and culinary experiences marry the artistry of internationally acclaimed talent with the romance of an evening under the stars in the vineyard.
Joseph's Estate Wines 1811 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1259
We're happy to answer your questions and help you discover our excellent award-winning wines. While in Niagara-on-the-Lake, please visit us for a tour and tasting. We're here to serve you year-round. Our picturesque 20-acre estate winery boutique is conveniently located in the heart of Niagara wine country, between the Village of Virgil and the Olde Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Joseph and his experienced staff invite you to sample our Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Vidal Icewine, Chancellor, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc Icewine, Merlot, Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cream Sherry, Port and more.
Kacaba Vineyards 3550 King St. Vineland 905-562-5625
Kacaba Vineyard's philosophy is dependent upon small quantities. Our production is limited by our ability to handle and manage quantities that can be produced mainly by hand. Pumping is kept to a minimum and gravity is used for bottling and racking. This methodology is quite simple really - we lift our tanks and barrels with a forklift.
Our goal is to produce ultra-premium wines along with more moderately priced varieties necessary for the economic well being of a winery. Our wines are meant to be drunk at release or cellared depending on the variety and vintage. We are therefore striving to produce more fruit-driven wines and those with more finesse and character.
We strive to encourage sustainable agriculture which involves not only good husbandry of our lands but the proposition that agriculture is a valuable resource and ought to be maintained and encouraged.
King's Court Estate Winery 2083 Seventh St. St. Catharines 905-687-8965
Located between majestic Lake Ontario and the historic Niagara Escarpment, our vines benefit from a unique microclimate like no other in the world. Once our grapes are ripe, our training and experience as winemakers of tradition allows us to craft distinctive and historic wines.
Like our vines, our roots are deep and we too are constantly growing and reaching for new heights. As we are not yet open to the general public, it makes finding our wines more difficult, but greatly rewarding to those who do.
In response to popular demand, we gladly offer you our story and our wines through our website. We offer distinctive wines at wholesale prices sold in multiples of 6 bottles. We are happy to ship anywhere within Canada and the world, simply contact us for delivery to your location.
Kittling Ridge Wines & Spirits 297 South Service Rd. Grimsby 905-945-9225
The highest elevation of the Niagara Escarpment at Beamer’s Point in Grimsby is a landmark for Kittling Ridge Estate Wines & Spirits. Tucked between the majestic backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment and the southern shores of Lake Ontario, at the Gateway to Niagara Wine Country, Kittling Ridge draws its name from the ridge that creates the excellent growing conditions surrounding the winery. Each spring, migrating hawks and eagles use the warm air currents that the ridge creates to gain altitude as they travel north. Their circling, as they ride the thermals, is traditionally known as kittling.
A special blend of tradition and innovation sets Kittling Ridge apart. As both a winery and distillery, Kittling Ridge offers visitors something they can’t see anywhere else in wine country. From the fruit processing area and fermentation cellars, to the copper pot and column still towers, and the oak barrel ageing cellars, Kittling Ridge is impressive.
Owner, winemaker and whisky maker John Hall, purchased the facility in 1992. Since then Kittling Ridge has won wide recognition for its innovative approach to wine making and distilling. A proud recipient of thousands of international awards, including being named 2008 Canadian Distillery of the year by Whisky Magazine, the company offers a diverse portfolio, including Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky, Prince Igor Vodka and Icewine & Brandy.
At Kittling Ridge, the ultimate goal is to provide customers with a memorable experience and quality products. Hall states, "We want to create something unique in the world of wines & spirits, something that gives people a taste adventure."
Konzelmann Estate Winery 1096 Lakeshore Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-935-2866
Niagara's Exclusive Lakefront Winery, was established in Canada in 1984. Herbert Konzelmann chose the site on the shores of Lake Ontario due to the meso-climate, which is similar to the Alsace region in France. The wonderful balance of sun, soil, airflow and moisture conditions of this vineyard are ideal for the production of clean, delicate and fruity premium quality wines.
Join us at 'The Konzelmann Winery Boutique and Tasting Bar', and discover why we are heralded for providing one of the most friendly, informative and educational experiences in Niagara's wine country. All year round we offer a wide variety of over 30 different VQA selections of quality wine for tasting and for purchase. Consequently, if you are looking for a particular favorite variety of wine or have an interest in discovering a new one, we have it here for you!
We welcome you to tour our family vineyard to learn of our past and present history as a winery and to educate yourself of our traditional wine making techniques, which date back over a century. Looking for a new experience? Our indoor and outdoor special events throughout the year are always memorable, educational and entertaining occasions.
In the case of living elsewhere than Ontario and your interest lies in tasting or purchasing Konzelmann wines, we encourage you to review our list of distributors. This list will provide you with a link to our colleagues, who will be able to assist you with all your inquiries of where and how purchases can be made in your specific area or destination.
We take pride in our National and Internationally acclaimed Wines and Icewines, so visit us here in gorgeous Niagara-on-the-Lake and discover what Niagara's Exclusive Lakefront Winery has to offer.
Lailey Vineyard Wines Inc. 15940 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7027
"Winemaker Derek Barnett has a knack for crafting wonderfully complex wines." VINES May/June 2005
Winemaker Derek Barnett "has vaulted Lailey into the top-five category of local wineries. Some of the best Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Merlot wines to be had in Ontario." Billy Munnelly, Billy's Best Wines for 2005. 15th Edition
"Winemaker Derek Barnett has a sterling reputation for Chardonnays, which can only be enhanced by the string of amazing examples he was able to produce in 2002." VINES. May/June 2005
Derek was born in England and studied agriculture in the UK. He came to Canada to work in agriculture in 1973. In 1991, he had the opportunity to make wine for a small winery north of Toronto called Southbrook winery. While at Southbrook, Derek made strong connections with vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including Lailey vineyard.
Derek's passion for winemaking and his expertise developed over ten years of making wine at Southbrook. There, he learned to express the terroir of Niagara. He earned many awards for his wine, and was voted Winemaker of the year in 2000 at the Air Ontario wine awards. In the fall of 2001, Derek moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake to become winemaker and business partner at Lailey Vineyard.
Now with access to some of the oldest vines in Canada, planted in 1970 at Lailey Vineyard by Donna and David Lailey, Derek is crafting world-class wines. His particular talent is in making elegant wines by allowing the fruit characteristics to evolve from the grapes naturally. Derek has a keen ability to recognize what arrives from the vineyard. He then goes to work developing the expression of what he has found naturally occurring in each variety and in each distinct vintage.
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc are Derek's favourite varietals, but they also provide the greatest challenges. With all grapes, the balance of acid, fruit and sugar at harvest is central to quality wine production. This is especially true for the three varietals Derek has chosen as his favourites.
Derek ferments in small batches so that he can watch closely the differences in flavours related to specific clones, yeast selections, harvest dates and vine canopies. He pursues passionately the specific conditions and techniques that develop or enable the expression of certain aromas, flavours and textures in the wine.
All of Derek’s winemaking efforts have the dinner table in mind. In other words, his wines show especially well with food, as he believes that wine is essential to a well-balanced and delicious dining experience.
Lakeview Cellars Winery 4037 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-5685
What’s New… Dan Aykroyd Wine of the Year - 2008 Ontario Wine Awards Dan Aykroyd Signature Reserve Vidal Icewine Receives Wine of the Year Award The wine received this prestigious award at a record breaking year for the Ontario Wine Awards. A total of 69 wineries entered a total of 463 wines!R>
Tasting Notes: A gorgeous copper colour, this Vidal icewine displays a rich and fragrant nose of apricots, orange honey and peaches, with mingling aromas of butterscotch and toffee. The palate presents deep and complex flavours of sweet honey, ripe tropical fruits, butterscotch with delicate hints of lychee and ginger throughout. This sweet wine is well balanced and shows good acidity in the finish.
The Dan Aykroyd Signature Reserve Vidal Icewine is available in limited quantities and can be purchased for $79.95 which includes the collectors wood box (shown at right). This wine is currently available at Lakeview Cellars and select LCBO Vintages stores across Ontario and will be made available elsewhere in Canada later this year
Legends Estate Winery 4888 Ontario St. Beamsville 905-563-6500
Magnotta 4701 Ontario St. Beamsville 905-563-5313
Magnotta is Ontario's third largest winery and the only company of its kind in Canada licensed to produce and sell wine, beer and distilled products. With over 2,500 awards to date for product excellence, Magnotta is Canada's most award winning winery.
Magnotta is the proud recipient of Vaughan's Business of the Year Award and a platinum member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies.
Magnotta offers an exceptional winery experience with over 180 VQA and International Series wines to enjoy, gourmet food items and accessories, displays of original artwork, tours of our wine making facilities, product tasting bars, weekly in-store events, expertly trained staff and winery direct pricing.
The road to Magnotta’s success has been paved with adversity, innovation, creativity, good people and great wine. In 1990, Co-Founders Gabe and Rossana Magnotta saw a world of opportunity through entrepreneurial eyes and the public was quick to recognize the quality and value of the products they created. In less than 15 years, Magnotta became Ontario’s 3rd largest winery in volume of sales.
It was the LCBO’s last minute announcement in 1990 that they had no shelf space available for Magnotta products that triggered an emergency re-draft of their marketing plans. Selling directly to the public, they overcame adversity, offering consumers a high-quality, low-cost alternative that earned the company the mark of excellence. Ten and a half years later, Magnotta and the LCBO reached a mediated settlement; this brought some of Magnotta’s Icewines into select LCBO stores across Ontario.
Today, Magnotta Winery has multiple locations, strategically located throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Southwestern Ontario and the Niagara Peninsula.
Magnotta’s 75,000 square foot flagship head office, winery, brewery, and distillery is located in Vaughan, Ontario, just a few minutes north of Toronto. Opened in May of 1997, this architectural triumph is the extraordinary vision of both Rossana and Gabe. It features a state of the art wine making facility, microbrewery, copper pot distillery, extensive original art gallery (remarkable paintings and exquisite sculptures) and an impressive wine boutique. The winery is visited by thousands of tourists and customers annually; all are swept away by its graceful ambiance and creative display of truly exceptional world-class wines.
The company has more than 180 acres of vineyards in the heart of Ontario’s Niagara grape growing region. Located in Niagara, Magnotta Beamsville houses a state of the art crushing facility–this allows the winery to have complete control over the quality of the press. With numerous VQA varietals now available, this standard of quality control is very important. In addition to its vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula, Magnotta’s own international vineyards include over 351 acres in the Maipo Valley, Chile’s most sought after growing region. With the recent international interest in and praise of South American wines, Magnotta is again on the cutting edge, offering a diverse selection of Chilean blends.
With increased capacity, Magnotta continues to grow and expand its market. Nationally, Magnotta has distributors in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and eastern Canada. International markets include exports to the United States, Taiwan and China.
Maleta Vineyards 450 Queenston Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-685-8486
Maleta Estate Winery is a small premium winery, with vineyards enjoying a favourable mesoclimate, located in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula.
Maleta specializes in premium and ultra-premium VQA (Vintners' Quality Alliance) Ontario wines such as its flagship Meritage, an award-winning Bordeaux-style, oak-aged red wine produced from high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes grown at the property.
Maleta's success is the result of meticulous vineyard management practices coupled with passionate and traditional winemaking techniques.
Malivoire Wine Company 4260 King St. East Beamsville 905-563-9253
In Canada's lower Great Lakes region an isthmus, popularly known as the Niagara Peninsula, divides Lake Erie from Lake Ontario. The Peninsula takes its name from the Niagara Escarpment, the rocky north-east fringe of a tropical sea that 450 million years ago filled a shallow depression in the earth's crust. Partially in-filled by glacial and other sediments, the depression now cradles Lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie. A sliver of land squeezed between the north face of the Niagara Escarpment and the south shore of Lake Ontario is today one of Canada's rare winegrowing pockets.
There is a widespread impression that Canadian viticulture and viniculture did not exist in a meaningful way before the late 1900s. True, early Canadian wine had little or no impact (or appeal) beyond its domestic market. What is not widely recognized is that the industry had been evolving here for generations.
Native grape varieties were known to North America's earliest inhabitants and Canada's first commercial vineyard was established in 1811 when an emigrant from Germany, Johann Schiller, planted cuttings of local labrusca vines on his farm in what is now the city of Mississauga.
Vineyards planted to native hybrids spread across southern Ontario through the mid-1800s but the cultivation of traditional wine grape varieties was not yet possible. North American pests and the Canadian climate's legendary adversity thwarted early efforts.
The late 1940s saw the first Niagara plantings of European varieties. This had become feasible with the success of grape breeders who had learned how to graft vinifera vines to native North American roots, enabling the more delicate vinifera to withstand New World pests. Others had developed promising hybrid varieties by successfully crossing Old World and New World vines.
A key to Niagara's success as a wine region today is the climatic effect that results from the combined influences of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. The escarpment draws prevailing easterly winds back to land from over the lake. The lake moderates the air temperature, warming it through fall and cooling it through summer, creating friendly conditions for the growth and ripening of vinifera grapes. Wine grape growing succeeds here because the lake and the escarpment are both present.
Enter Martin Malivoire and Moira Saganski. In 1995, intrigued by the emerging potential of Niagara as a wine region, Martin and Moira purchased a site below the escarpment in what is now known as the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation.
This happened at a time when Martin and Moira were looking for ways to fulfill their personal and professional aspirations. Among these were their desires to invest materially and intellectually in a shared business, to pursue their interest in viticulture and wine, and to migrate from their urban lifestyle to a more rural-agrarian one.
They had flirted with the idea of vineyard ownership for at least ten years and had admired sites in some of Europe's greatest wine regions, but could not contemplate leaving Canada. What transformed their thoughts to action was a series of contacts with convincing individuals including Donald Ziraldo, Len Penachetti, Paul Speck, Tom Muckle and Bill Lenko. These intelligent, dedicated people shared a conviction that the Niagara Peninsula had the elements to become one of the world's great wine regions.
Martin was shown evidence that sites on the Beamsville Bench demonstrated enormous potential when planted to compatible grape varieties. He had found his missing link. The ownership of a first-quality vineyard in Canada would enable the achievement of the very goals that he and Moira had been hoping to realize.
What followed was an intensive two-year search for sites that would meet strict criteria. With his University of Guelph School of Agriculture training and the advice of some of Canada's most distinguished viticulturalists, Martin was well prepared. Sites were assessed according to size, location, soil composition and drainage. Some cues were obtained from Cave Spring, Stoney Ridge and Vineland Estates, which were already operating proficient vineyards along the Beamsville Bench.
The future winery's first vineyard, the "Moira", was purchased in 1995. A year later Martin and Moira acquired a second and larger property a short distance to the west. This would become the site of the winery.
Now came the selection of grape varieties. Martin was determined to find varieties that would most benefit from his vineyards' locations and microclimates, would consistently yield healthy, ripe fruit, and would yield grapes whose flavours would be advanced by his vineyards' sand, clay and calcium-limestone soils.
When tasting wines from Beamsville Bench grapes, Martin found that the best consistently displayed cool-climate acidity, pronounced minerality, and often a pink-grapefruit nuance; qualities reminiscent of Burgundian wines. This, along with the similarities between the climates of Burgundy and the north Niagara Peninsula encouraged him to focus on grape varieties typically to northeastern France. Between 1995 and 2000, close to 50 acres were planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Malivoire has also signed long-term agreements to farm older Bench vineyards. We currently steward the Epp Vineyard southeast of Jordan and the Eastman Vineyard west of Vineland under lease.
All things have been done in concert with our founding philosophy, that Malivoire's soil, climate, grape varieties and winemaking methods must yield results equal to or better than those anywhere else where wine grapes are grown.
Maple Grove Vinoteca Estate Winery 4063 North Service Rd. Beamsville 905-562-7415
Marynissen Estates RR #6 Concession 1 Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7270
Welcome to Marynissen Estates Wines! At Marynissen Estates, we believe that exceptional wines come from exceptional grapes. With this in mind, the Marynissen family established the winery in 1990 in Niagara-on-the-Lake to bring to you our own estate grown and bottled wines. Open all year! Please feel free to visit us if you are in the Niagara area! We would be pleased to provide you with a group tour or answer any questions you might have about our excellent wines or our winery. Check our event schedule for upcoming event
John Marynissen, vintner, came to Canada from Holland in 1952 and began growing grapes with his wife Nanny. Realizing the importance of Vinifera grapes for the production of quality wines, John switched to planting vinifera vines in the 1970's.
John was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in Canada in 1978, and has some of the oldest vinefera vines in Ontario. These vines, combined with Niagara's unique micro-climate provide the infrastructure for Marynissen Estates wines.
About The Winemaker Prior to the establishment of Marynissen Estates, John Marynissen received several awards for his winemaking. For his vineyards, John was awarded the title of Grape King in 1978. His 1987 Riesling won the Best Estate Bottled Wine Award at the American Wine Society competition in 1989 in Pittsburgh.
John was voted as the Grand Champion in St. Catharines, Ontario. In the fall of 1990, John won the Best of Show Award for his 1989 Chardonnay and the Konstantin Frank Award for Best Vinefera Wine at the American Wine Society competition in Philadelphia. This proves to us all that great wine can be made from Canadian grown grapes!
Mountain Road Wine Company 4016 Mountain Rd. Beamsville 905-563-0745
Visit a genuine family farm and winery and sample premium wines from the Beamsville Bench. Stroll the sloping vineyards planted in 1983 and view the spectacular panorama of Lake Ontario’s near and far shorelines. Free tastings of award-winning wines offered.
Niagara College Teaching Winery 135 Taylor Road Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-641-2252
WINE FACTS Ontario's wine industry is centred in the Niagara Peninsula with more than 70 wineries and 16,000 acres of vitis vinifera grapes. Sales in Ontario were $327 million for 2000. The industry currently employs more than 5,000 people and has experienced rapid growth over the past decade.
A Vision for the Year 2020:
The Ontario wine industry will be a $1.5 billion industry and a major contributor to Ontario's economic growth and prosperity.
The Ontario wine industry currently employs more than 5,000 people and is poised for continued growth in the next decade. The Wine Council of Ontario predicts that the industry will employ more than 13,500 people by 2020.
Ontario wine consumers will choose Ontario reds and whites for more than 60% of their premium wine purchases.
More than 90% of the grapes grown in Ontario will be used to produce premium VQA wines.
What is VQA?
Vintners Quality Alliance sets the standards for Ontario wines. If the wine bottle bears the VQA medallion, the wine has been made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes. These wines are subject to rigorous quality tests. The mark of the VQA guarantees that consumers will be drinking the finest quality Ontario wine.
Palatine Hills Estate Winery ~ Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-646-9617
Located in the historic Niagara-on-the-Lake district, Palatine Hills is an award-winning winery offering freshly harvested juices (ideal for the home-brew enthusiast) and wines that will satisify even the most discerning of palates.
Having successfully sold their grapes to other wineries for more than 30 years, owners John and Barbara Neufeld found themselves with a surplus in 1998, and decided to collaborate with winemaker David Hojnoski to produce a small batch of icewine.
By 2001, they were making table wines and juices for export to New York and Pennsylvania. And in 2003, their 1998 Vidal Icewine went on to win Ontario Wine of the Year.
The overwhelming public reaction first prompted the Neufelds to open a small retail store, right here at the vineyard (pictured left). Its continuing success has lead to an expansion of our facilities on site, and to Palatine Hills taking the next logical step: developing a solid reputation of online sales throughout North America.
At PalatineHillsEstateWinery.com, our aim is to tempt your palate with details of our latest harvest, word of yet another award for our exquisite wines, and news of an upcoming event - that you, too can attend - here at the winery.
Peller Estate Winery 550 King St. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-4678
It all began in 1958, when my grandfather, Andrew Peller, first arrived in Canada from Hungary. Having owned a series of successful businesses, he came here to finally pursue his dream. He envisioned a day when Canadians, like Europeans, would come to appreciate premium-quality wines and enjoy sharing them with family and friends.
After exhaustive research, he decided to plant his first vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and, soon afterwards, to open a modest winery in that province as well. As the seeds of his dream were firmly taking root out West, he began looking eastward. Many years and countless setbacks later, he and my father, Joe (who was by then very much involved in the family business), finally made a breakthrough. An offer to purchase a winery and winemaking license in Ontario was accepted in the spring of 1969.
Now, almost 50 years since my grandfather raised a glass to toast his very first vintage, our family proudly carries on his tradition of crafting wine with an uncommon commitment to quality. In fact, our goals today are higher than ever before as we aim to produce wines that rank among the best in the world.
And our efforts have not gone unnoticed. We have won many prestigious awards for signature products, like Icewine, as well as Chardonnays and Rieslings, which are as good or better than those produced anywhere abroad. We have also earned international acclaim, being recently named Best Canadian Winery of the Year at London’s International Wine & Spirit Competition. My grandfather would indeed be proud of what has grown from those first vines.
We have certainly accomplished great things since our humble beginnings, yet I believe the best is still to come. In the last ten years alone, we have learned so much about the grape growing process. Globally speaking, the Canadian wine industry has only begun to reach its true potential. It’s very exciting to be a part of that growth.
Over the next quarter century, we will continue to develop our super-premium offerings patiently and skillfully, without cutting corners. And we will expand our network of ultra-premium grape growers to ensure we obtain only the very best fruit. It is this exceptional care and attention, from vine to bottle, that has brought us here. And it is this same care and attention that will ensure we realize the dream my grandfather started so many years ago.
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Ltd. 5600 King St. Beamsville 905-563-0900
Since our opening in August 2000, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery has been committed to producing the finest wines Niagara has to offer. From the very earliest planning stages, owner Norman Beal has made every effort to meet the many requirements for producing world-class wines in Niagara.
Our winery property encompasses 80 acres on the Niagara Escarpment, which is designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Our vineyards are located on the Beamsville Bench, considered by many to be one of the premier grape growing regions in Canada. We have planted 42 acres of vinifera grapes and also manage a neighbouring 43-acre vineyard, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. In addition, Peninsula Ridge has entered into long-term contracts with some of the best growers in Niagara to ensure the finest-quality fruit for our wines.
Pillitteri Estates Winery 1696 Niagara Stone Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-3147
Pillitteri's winemaking philosophy is quite simple: "To produce the finest VQA wines possible from the highest quality grapes grown in Niagara ."
This approach has earned Pillitteri Estates over 450 international and domestic medals, including the coveted Civart Trophy, and Grand Golds from Vinitaly.
Award winning VQA wines include full-bodied red wines from Bordeaux cultivars; lively, fresh white wines; and exquisite varietals of their flagship product, Icewine.
As the world’s largest estate producer of Icewine, Pillitteri is also recognized as one of the most innovative, creating diverse and award-winning varietals such as Chardonnay, Shiraz and Semillon Icewines.
The family's commitment to producing wine of exceptional quality and character is demonstrated in each bottle bearing the Pillitteri name.
Puddicombe Farms 455 Hwy. #18 East Winona 905-643-1015
Welcome to the world of Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery
We are a 210 year old family fruit farm. Our story begins in 1797 as cattle farmers. In the early 1900's we became fruit farmers.
1940 saw the planting of the first vineyard and today we are a working farm of approximately 300 acres of fruit. To keep up with changing times our owner Murray Puddicombe along with a wine master Jim Warren, formed a partnership and Stoney Ridge Winery was brought to our location. Also born at the same time was a general store, bake shop, and cafe. Introduced a few years later was an agricultural train and a pick your own operation.
Ten years and much growth later saw the winery outgrow the vision that our owner had had. The winery was sold and moved, and within three years Puddicombe Estate Farms and Winery opened it's doors.
Many of the guests that visit with us here on the farm are always amazed at all the farm has to offer.
Reif Estate Winery 15608 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-7738
winemaking town of Neustadt, located in the heart of the world renowned Rhine River Valley in Germany. In 1977, this tradition transcended to a new continent, when founder Ewald Reif purchased a plot of land on the fertile banks of the Niagara River. After carefully nurturing the land for six years, the potential of these young vineyards became evident when the doors of Reif Estate winery were officially opened in 1983. The winery's first vintage included a selection of vitis vinifera varietal wines (such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer) alongside French hybrids (such as Vidal).
In 1987, Klaus W. Reif took over the reins from his uncle Ewald, as the president and winemaker at Reif Estate Winery. After having been born into a winemaking family with roots tracing back 12 generations; Klaus' future as a winemaker may have been preordained. He enrolled in the world famous Geisenheim Institute in Germany and graduated with degrees in both Oenology and Viticulture. When he took over the Estate, Klaus applied not only his recent education to his winemaking philosophies, but also the 12 generations of tradition that stood behind him.
In 1990, Klaus was joined by Roberto DiDomenico as the newest member of the winemaking team. As a recent graduate of the University of Guelph with a specialized Honours Microbiology degree, Roberto began to work closely with Klaus to further develop the vineyards. Focusing on the thinning and pruning of the vines, the quality of the grapes is improved naturally, thus remaining true to our philosophies that "nature itself makes the wine". Here at Reif Estate our vitis vinifera plantings of Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz are allowed to reach their full potential before harvest. Klaus and Roberto believe that real winemaking depends on the quality of the vineyard and its product. Today we are "growing wine in the vineyard", where our winemakers strongly believe that an outstanding wine can only be produced by first producing premium grapes.
Ridgepoint Wines 3900 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-8853
Ridgepoint Wines is a small estate winery on the Niagara Escarpment, dedicated to the production of premium and ultra-premium wines from estate-grown Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir grapes.
Ridgepoint Wines is also responsible for the first commercial bottling of Nebbiolo (source of the renowned Barolo wines of the Piedmont region of Italy) in Ontario.
The Ridgepoint Wines vineyards were planted in 1995, and has 18 acres (of the total 20 acres) planted to premium vinifera (winemaking) grapes. More than half is planted to three red varieties, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ridgepoint Wines began its introduction to the wine-drinking public with a range of consumer-friendly whites and 'quaffing reds' in the fall of 2003.
Riverview Cellars 15376 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-262-0636
Rockway Glen Estate Winery 3290 Ninth St. Louth St. Catharines 905-641-5771
Royal DeMaria 4551 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-6767
Growing up on a family fruit farm just around the corner from Rockway Glen, I was exposed to wine and winemaking from a very young age. From drinking Grandpa’s homemade Italian wine, to helping my parents craft unique fruit wines and blends from our own homegrown fruit. To everyone who knew me, it was no big surprise that during a High School Co-Op Placement with a local Niagara winery, I made the decision to enter a career in the wine industry - but I still had to choose what aspect I wished to focus on. Lucky for me, in the fall of 2000 Niagara College offered the new Diploma program for Winery and Viticulture Technician. Preparing students in every area of the wine industry, from grape growing and viticulture, winemaking and fermentation chemistry and biology, to the end marketing and sales. This program seemed to be custom fit to my needs! After graduating from Niagara College in 2003 at the age of 20, still unable to decide what direction my wine career was going to take, I was grateful to take a position at another large local winery. My time there allowed me to work in their cellars AND vineyards! In the spring I worked in the vineyards, tending to the vines all season and through to harvest. As the harvest took off I then followed the grapes to the winery and took part in the crushing and pressing and entire winemaking process. Later, in 2006 I accepted the position as Assistant Winemaker here at Rockway Glen where I worked alongside Jeff Innes until the winter of 2007 when I took over as Rockway Glen's Head Wine Maker. The most important lesson I have learned will never be forgotten, Wine can only be as great as the grapes it’s made from! By taking on the role as the Head Winemaker, and by working closely with the Vineyard Manager, I am able to ensure only the top quality grapes go into making our premium crafted VQA wines and I look forward to the vintages to come!
Stonechurch Vineyards 1242 Irvine Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-935-3535
Established in 1990, Stonechurch Vineyards was born out of a belief that good wine and good friends make a perfect pairing.
Situated in the heart of Niagara we are less than a one hour drive from Toronto, Ontario and 45 minutes from Buffalo, New York.
Our aim is to make your visit an unforgettable experience…great wines, picturesque landscapes, the serenity of nature all come together to create an ambiance that will touch your soul.
Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are waiting to welcome you with open arms. So come to Niagara and visit us at Stonechurch Vineyards…Unique and fine wines for every occasion.
Stoney Ridge Cellars 3201 King St. Vineland 905-562-1324
In July of 1985, Stoney Ridge Cellars became the 18th licensed winery in the fledgling Ontario wine industry. The winery had inauspicious beginnings at the Weylie farm on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek, consisting of a small barn and garage that served as a retail boutique. Under the direction of Winemaker Jim Warren and his two business partners, Stoney Ridge's first vintage consisted of 500 cases of 11 different wines, produced entirely by hand. Stoney Ridge Cellars had a commitment to "make small amounts of the very best wine possible from Ontario Grapes."
Four years later, Stoney Ridge Cellars had increased production to 4,000 cases annually. With the uncertain beginnings of Free Trade and its effects on the young Ontario wine industry, the government came to grape growers with 'The Pull-Out Program', providing wine grape growers a financial remuneration to remove all of their vines. Jim's partner agreed to the government's offer and removed his grape vines, replacing them with Christmas Trees. Jim realized he needed a new partner/grower more committed to Ontario wine.
In 1989 Jim formed a new partnership with a Winnona grape and tender fruit farmer Murray Puddicombe. The new facility was upgraded with more sophisticated winemaking equipment and was located just below the escarpment from the original location. With greater access to a wider selection of grapes, a new bottling line and more tanks and barrels, the Stoney Ridge wine portfolio grew by leaps and bounds. By 1997 production was at 26,000 cases annually with over 60 different wine products. Stoney Ridge developed a reputation for having unique and exotic wines that all possessed the inimitable style that was a signature of winemaker Jim Warren. Jim and Stoney Ridge became very well known by wine writers and enthusiasts alike, garnering more awards than any other Canadian winery. Innovative products such as Canada's first Unoaked Chardonnay and Cranberry Fruit wine captured the attention of the public while award winning classic varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Cabernet Franc boosted the winery's industry status. Jim's efforts were officially recognized when he was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 1997. Although tremendously successful, the partnership between the two owners dissolved as the two decided to singularly re-direct their respective business practices.
Stoney Ridge's third phase was generated by a new partnership with an Ottawa-based investment group and a re-location to the heart of the wine industry, Vineland Ontario. A small operation called Wines of Woods End merged with Stoney Ridge to lend their marketing expertise. The winery continued to produce benchmark wines winning international acclaim such as the Civart Trophy in Bordeaux France. Jim made the decision to sell his ownership portion of the winery to better focus on winemaking.
In the spring of 1999, Jim announced plans for his retirement from Stoney Ridge, and began to mentor assistant winemaker Liubomir Popovici to take over his role. Liubomir was the former chief winemaker for Romania's largest wine and spirits producer, and brought excellent credentials to his role, making a smooth transition in 2000.
As a business, Stoney Ridge Cellars entered a tumultuous time for the remaining owners had differing views of the company's direction. All was resolved in April of 2002 as Stoney Ridge began refocusing the winery towards the craft production of premium Niagara wine. With the edition of a Pinot Noir vineyard to the winery property, the winery name was changed to Stoney Ridge Estate Winery. This decision reflected the commitment to continue the Stoney Ridge tradition of honouring viticultural excellence and winemaking expertise begun by Jim in 1985, while maintaining its strict quality-controlled output of 40,000 cases of VQA wines.
Today, Stoney Ridge Estate Winery produces a wide array of 100% Niagara wines, featuring more than 30 products that include a full complement of VQA varietals, ports, and Icewines. In addition Stoney Ridge continues to produce one of its trademark products - the popular Cranberry Wine. In a unique return to his winemaking roots, Jim Warren will create a new Founder's Signature Collection for Stoney Ridge. Representing a creative partnership between Liubomir and Jim, this unique bottling will reflect Jim's personal winemaking philosophy of producing the best wine possible from the best grapes grown.
In October of 2002 the Stoney Ridge Wine Library was unveiled, a unique collection of limited edition wines and back vintages previously unreleased to the public. The library is a unique window into the history of winemaking at Stoney Ridge and of the Ontario Wine Industry as well.
The Stoney Ridge name has always been synonymous with quality and outstanding vintages. With Liubomir's passion and talent Stoney Ridge continues to receive accolades, recognized for the uncompromising commitment to quality. The discovery and opening of the Stoney Ridge Wine Library is testament to that continuing quest for quality, proof of Niagara's depth and winemaking expertise, and the development and maturation of the Ontario wine Industry. Stoney Ridge will play a key role in this continuing evolution.
Stratus Winery 2059 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1806
Stratus Vineyards, established in 2000, is a sustainable, innovative winery located in the heart of Niagara wine country in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stratus is dedicated to growing and producing limited quantities of premium wine in the VQA Niagara Lakeshore appellation.
The Stratus vineyard is a mature fifty-five acre estate moderated by the effects of two bodies of water: the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Benefiting from a unique mesoclimate, the vineyard ranks among the warmest sites in Niagara. Viticultural practices adhere to the principles of rigorously low yields and a harvest mandate that relies on handpicking and meticulous attention to fruit selection.
The winery is a marvel of efficiency, sustainability and flexibility. It is a building designed to produce limited quantities of wine based on a true gravity-flow system.
Winemaking at Stratus is led by J-L Groux. A native of the Loire Valley in France, J-L has been honoured as “Ontario Winemaker of the Year” and is renowned for his passion for creating distinctive wines based on the principle of assemblage.
J-L, our winemaker, believes that the art of assemblage is the quintessence of winemaking. Assemblage refers to the crafting of several grape varieties to create layered wines of complexity, wines that are a true expression of the vineyard's terroir. The synergy created with assemblage reflects the age-old theory that the sum is greater than the parts. Our two signature assemblage wines are Stratus White and Stratus Red. Critically acclaimed, these wines have quickly become benchmarks of quality within the Canadian wine industry. Stratus is committed to responsible stewardship of the land. As a result, the winery is the first building in Canada to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Stratus is at present the only winery worldwide to fully achieve this designation. Environmental sustainability is a core value of all involved in the design and operation of Stratus.
Stratus is a proud new member of the Canadian wine industry and is committed to building on the existing foundations of quality-oriented pioneers and wineries in efforts to anchor Niagara as one of the world’s great wine regions.
Strewn Winery 1339 Lakeshore Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1229
Located just outside the Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Strewn is a very special destination. Discover our award winning VQA wines, our knowledgeable and friendly staff, and our monthly wine education events. Enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurant at Strewn or participate in a hands-on cooking class at Canada's only winery cooking school. It's all here waiting for you!
Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery 1425 Lakeshore Rd. Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-468-1122
Fruit Wines Fruit wines were the first wines made in Niagara-on the-Lake. In the 1700’s British soldiers garrisoned at Fort George in Newark (what is now Niagara-on the-Lake) made wine from apples and other locally grown fruits. The wife of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, when Newark was the capital of the newly created province of Upper Canada (Ontario) in 1792/1793, wrote down her recipes. In this document at Fort George she included instructions for making Apple Wine. There are over 25 fruit wineries in New Zealand and Australia, 200 in the United States, and 180 cideries and fruit wineries in the European Union. Like the fruit wineries in Canada, these are small wineries although some of the large wineries are now also making fruit wines. top
Sunnybrook Farm Wines Unfortunately, many people’s perception is that fruit wines are heavy and syrupy, reminiscent of the stuff old Uncle George made in the basement and abandoned years ago because he didn’t know what he was doing and didn’t like it either! The typical reaction of customers in Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery’s store is “WOW!”. Our 100% fruit wines are light and balanced and a pleasure to drink. Grape wine offers several varieties of one species of fruit, whereas other-than-grape fruit wines are made from many different species of fruit, each with its own unique characteristics and a wonderful variety of flavours. Our wines are made from 100% fruit, not grape-based and not fortified. The fermentation process is similar to that of grape wine although more care must be taken during the process to avoid undesired fermentations. We do not age in oak because we want to maintain the true characteristics of each fruit. You may let Sunnybrook Farm wines age for three to five years, but no longer.
Fruit Wines of Canada - Fruit Wines of Ontario Fruit Wines of Ontario is an association of wineries whose mission is to promote the sale of wines made from fruit other than grape. Some members produce 100% fruit wines while others also produce grape wines or blends of the two. The association has developed a set of Quality Certified (QC) standards, which is regulated by the national body, Fruit Wines of Canada. The QC program is modeled on the VQA regulations and functions with the co-operation of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) who taste and test fruit wines on the same basis as VQA grape wines.
Tawse Winery 3955 Cherry Ave. Vineland 905-562-9500
As a small winery we prefer spending time with our customers, so we generally don’t encourage bus tours. Barrel tasting and winery tours can be arranged for small groups of enthusiasts for a small fee.
We passionately believed in practicing traditional artisanal winemaking techniques. We also believed that enhancing these techniques with state-of-the-art gravity-fed processing and natural geo-thermal energy would allow us to gently and skillfully process each varietal bringing out its individual nuances and characteristics without compromise.
So it became our mission to create an innovative, ecologically friendly winemaking facility and invite some of the world’s most renowned winemaking expertise, such as Pascal Marchand from Burgundy to help us with our goal of making Canada’s finest wines.
At Tawse we don’t believe quality is something you can arrive at quickly. Crafting our wines takes more time, but the results are truly worth the wait. Today the Tawse Winery produces exceptional premium wines in very limited quantities. Thankfully our hard work has been appreciated, as many critics have graciously noted that Tawse is successfully creating some of the most outstanding wines in Ontario.
The Tawse Winery is nestled in the gentle slopes of our 32-acre vineyard located on the Vineland Double Bench of the Niagara Escarpment. In designing our facility we had three goals in mind. First, design a winery that uses the naturally sloping terrain to create a six level gravity flow processing facility. By using gravity, we gently handle our fruit and juice from pressing to bottling with minimum manipulation that can bruise or aerate the wine, releasing some of the intense bouquets and flavors.
Our second quest was our goal to be energy and eco friendly. We dug three cellars, 72 feet long, 28 feet wide and 12 feet deep. Each cellar has 6 to 8 feet of earth overtop keeping the ambient temperature between 10 and 16 degrees Celsius, with natural humidity of around 85%. These deep natural cellars are crucial as our wines are barrel aged for 18 months and prefer to be at a constant temperature. The high natural humidity reduces the amount of “Angel's Share” or evaporation over the long élevage period of the wine.
The processing areas of our winery are heated and cooled by a state-of-the-art Geothermal Energy system that uses heat pumps to control temperatures as they are needed at each level of the winery. By using the ambient temperature of the water in our pond outside, we reduced our use of traditional forms of energy by 80%. Our Wetland Biofilter system allows us to completely reuse all of our sanitary and winery process water. It goes back into our pond to be used for landscape irrigation as well as supporting a wetland habitat for the abundant wildlife that live on the escarpment. Our last goal was to build a perfectly engineered process facility that operates efficiently with a small staff. Each task was carefully thought out reducing the manpower needed to move hoses or equipment within the winery. Construction began in the spring of 2002 and was finally completed for the harvest of 2004 making Tawse one of the most state-of-the-art, completely gravity-fed wineries in Canada.
Thirteenth Street Wine Company 3983 13th St. Vineland 905-562-9463
The Partners (Douglas, Funk, Jacobson and Willms families) have been active in the wine industry for several decades.
At a social event in 1997, the Partners decided to build on the extensive wine growing and winemaking talent in the group, and create an enterprise that expresses our common interest in a good bottle of realistically priced wine.
Founded in 1998, The Thirteenth Street Wine Corp. specializes in small lots of estate grown and handcrafted table and sparkling wines. In 2006, winegrowers (and market gardeners) Doug and Karen Whitty joined the partnership.
This enterprise has become a labour of love and on any given day (mostly weekends because we have real jobs), there is a fair chance that you will find one or more of the Partners at the winery working on the current vintage.
Thirty Bench Vineyards 4281 Mountainview Rd. Beamsville 905-563-1698
Thomas & Vaughan Vintners 4245 King St. Beamsville 905-563-7737
Thomas & Vaughan is located in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula, a unique grape-growing region producing quality wines with international recognition. Niagara vineyards lie at the centre of the world's northern wine-growing belt and conditions rank favorably with other wine regions of the world. Our unique soil, climate and temperature is reflected in the quality of the grapes that grow in the vineyard.
As wine growers we feel that it is important to cultivate and closely monitor the grapes that go into our award-winning wines. Careful management of our 38 acre vineyard enables us to produce quality fruit that best express the character and terroir of each variety and vintage. In addition, because we are an estate winery we grow, produce and bottle all of our own wines resulting in a handcrafted product made in discriminating and limited quantities.
At Thomas & Vaughan we believe that great wines begin in the vineyard. In the winery our practice is of minimal interference with the natural characteristics of the grape variety. This combination of grape growing and precise winemaking techniques make for an exceptional product.
Trillium Hill Estate Winery 3420 Ninth St. Louth St. Catharines 905-684-4419
V.P. Cellars Estate Winery ~~ Jordan Station 905-562-0035
Willow Heights Estate Winery 3751 Regional Rd. 81 Vineland 905-562-4945
