Since 1992

Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Wineries of Beamsville

 

Angels Gate Estate Winery 4260 Mountainview Road Beamsville ON L0R 1B2
Located on 10 acres on the Beamsville beach of the Niagara Peninsula 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. The state of the art wine making facility is built underground, the earth naturally keeps the cellars cool. Grape receiving, crushing, and fermentation occurs in half of the underground facility, with the finished product transferred to French and American oak for aging until it is ready for release The tasting room features, along with their wines, the Angels Gate Tower, a 41-foot structure featuring a photo history of the vineyards, and other educational displays The winery currently have over 250 acres of vineyards including their Estate Winery 6.5 acres, Kew Vineyards 85 Acres, Mountainview Vineyards 15 acres first panted in 1950, Angels Step Vineyards 25 acres Kew Ridge Vineyards 60 Acres, Wismer Vineyards Emerald Shore, and the St John Vineyards Winemaker: Philip Dowell VP of Production Philosophy: A balanced vine and a balanced wine. From a French perspective its about bring together the ‘terroir', ‘elevage' and ‘typicity' of wine. The ‘terroir' is the character of the grape from a specific vineyard site, ‘elevage' is the progress the wine takes through the cellar during its maturation, and ‘typicity' is the distinctive vinous character each wine has. With all three you end up with a unique and enjoyable product. Angels Gate signature wines are Riesling Suss-reserve which is unfermented, grape juice is added back to the wine just prior to bottling, and Old Vines Chardonnay which come from 29 year old vines. The winery exports to Florida as well as Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec

Atlantis Niagara Wines Inc. 4524 John Street. Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0
Their winery is located on the floor of what once was called Glacial Lake Iroquois in the Lincoln-Lakeshore appellation of the Niagara Region of Ontario. Owned by the Kocsis family. The winery only produces icewines. The winery opened in July 2018. Their first vintage a 2010 Cabernet Franc icewine; a $225.00 bottle of wine per 375 ml. This was followed by a Vidal Wine. Today they produce Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Merlot. Limited quantities of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, as well as Chardonnay Icewine are also produced. They also produce cider.  The wraparound patio alone seats up to 500 people, and the interior, with 8,000 square feet of space, is equally impressive with a huge island bar that cost upward of $100,000 alone. Barbque and rock music prevail. Throughout the tasting room there are Atlantis-themed furnishings (a lot of palm tree decorations!) and expensive LED lights that illuminate the bar (and pond outside) at night. Kocsis has installed state-of-the-art speakers and large wide-screen HD TVs around the inside of the facility that will show and play a steady diet of whatever music the occasion calls for.   Philosophy: Only hand made from start to finish

Back 10 Cellars Beamsville, ON L0R 2E0
Back in 1999 Andrew and Christina Brooks were working in a Calgary Alberta restaurant where they started to experience wine tastings, the idea of owning a winery began to grow. The hunt began. They traveled to Italy, France, Kelowna, BC. and South Africa, but these places were too far out of reach and too costly.   It was on a trip to Niagara (where Christina grew up), that they found a ten acre property in between Vineland and  Beamsville. To make ends meet as they developed their winery, they started up a business called Crush on Niagara Wine Tours. It was on a cold January day that a Realtor showed them a derelict 10 acre  property in Beamsville, that they could barely afford.   “We will take it”, they said…and the rest is history. Back 10 Cellars started with a big dream , pure will, gumption and determination. “ Philosophy:

CornerStone 4390 Tufford Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0
The winery was founded in 2002 by Jerry and Wanda Kopanski. In 2005 they opened to the public. They have 20 acres growing Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Riesling and Vidal Blanc Jerry Kopanski has a well-established agricultural background and was born and raised on a farm. He attended the University of Agriculture and graduated as a fruit grower specialist.  In 1999, he ambitiously purchased a fruit farm in Beamsville Ontario and converted it into a working vineyard. In 2002, he began turning his farm’s grapes into a variety of wines. The business quickly progressed and in 2004 he built a brand new facility to increase wine production. Cornerstone was proudly opened to the public in 2005.  Expert winemaker, Andrzej Lipinski joined Cornerstone Estate Winery in 2008, as a part-time consultant, and in 2012, he took over the task of winemaking. one of the most award winning winemakers in Canada, Andrzej was chosen as the 2012 Winemaker of the year. They are an Icewine producer.

Daniel Lenko Estate Winery 5246 Regional Road 81 Beamsville ON L0R 1B3
A family owned and operated winery, that has been growing grapes for 40 years The original chardonnay vines were planted in 1959 and by the early 90s earned the reputation of supplying grapes for some of the best wines in the region. It wasn't until 1999 that Daniel Lenko decided to capitalize on the vintage vines his family owned and established the Daniel Lenko Estate. 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. Winemaker: Daniel Lenko

Ed Hughes Vineyards Beamsville ON L0R 1B3
After graduating George Brown College's Sommelier course and learning about all of the benchmark wines of the world, Ed Huges bought a 3-acre property in Vineland and in 1995 began his grape growing journey by planting an assortment of vines. In 1999, Ed enrolled in the Brock University CCOVI program looking for additional information as to how to improve grape quality in his vineyard. He spent 8 years completing the program. In 1999 he bought another 21-acre farm, which was a well-established vineyard with a combination of vinifera, hybrid and concord grapes. Today, Ed farm 24 acres of mainly vinifera grapes and some hybrids,selling grapes to only the highest quality wineries in the Niagara Region such as 13th Street, Paskus & Temkin, Tawse, Pearl Morrisette, and Malivoire. He now produces some of his own wines. He has produced wine under the Iroquois Shore Estate winery label. Ed Hughes, was honoured by the Ontario Grape Growers Association and the Royal Bank of Canada as their 2011 Grape King - ambassador for Ontario Grape Growers In 2010, Ed was awarded the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence for his innovative work in the vineyard. Winemaker: Ed Hughes

Fielding Estate Winery 4020 Locust Lane Beamsville, ON
The winery is in the heart of the Beamsville Bench in the Niagara Peninsula, a unique enclave that has proven to be one of the finest wine-growing regions in the northern hemisphere, comparable in many respects to Burgundy. The region has consistently produced superb varietals, including remarkable icewines. The winery was Founded by Ken and Marg Fielding in 2005, today son Curtis and his wife, Heidi lead a dynamic team who are passionate about winemaking. Fielding has 20 acre vineyards on the Bench with a second vineyard near the Niagara Lakeshore. They focus on Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay for whites, and Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds The wineries tasting room pays tribute to Northern Ontario’s cottage country, with cedar, stone, glass and a stunning view of Toronto across Lake Ontario Winemaker: Richie Roberts

Good Earth Vineyard and Winery 4556 Lincoln Ave. Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3
The Good Earth Vineyard and Winery is an expansion of the well-established and popular cooking school of the same name. It all began in 1998 when Nicolette Novak opened her family farm that she had lived in as a child to hold a cooking school which embraced the concept of “slow food" The winery opened in 2010 The wines are made with the goal to be food friendly wines – better with food than just enjoyed alone. The winery is built to complement to their food activities and not the other way around which tends to be the usual evolution in the wine industry. Their wines include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc which are hand pruned and thinned judiciously to produce very low yields of quality grapes. Winemaker: Ilya Senchuk: Philosophy: The aim is to make wines that pair easily with food and to make the best embodiment of every day drinking wines in Niagara – a coupling that embodies The Good Earth’s recipe for the good life.

Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery 4152 Locust Lane Beamsville ON, L0R 1B2
The winery is owned by Harald Thiel who began his pursuit of making world class wines in 2003. Thiel chose Beamsville Bench believing that the terroir and climatic tempering effect of the Niagara Escarpment provides the best potential to produce truly world class wines in Ontario Hidden Bench have two vineyards situated in the middle of the bench. The Locust Lane Vineyard (33 acres) which was acquired in the Spring of 2003. This vineyard was originally planted in 1998; producing excellent quality fruit and wine since 2002. In the summer of 2004 an additional 8 acres was planted with Pinot Noir (five clones) Syrah and Malbec. The second vineyard is the reputed Rosmel Vineyard (26 acres) which was planted with vinifera varieties in 1975 and has produced many award winning wines over the years. Signature wines: Tetes de Cuvees Pinot Noir, Estate Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. Terror Cache Meritage (Merlot, Cab. Sauv, Cabernet Franc, Malbec,) Winemaker: Jay Johnston Philosophy: Our mission is produce internationally recognized, superior wines  made exclusively with estate grown fruit from the Beamsville Bench VQA sub-appellation that are reflective of this unique terroir. The quality of our wine will be a product of our passion for uncompromising excellence and attention to detail, and will inspire us to continue, and our clients to value and to seek out our wines. We will achieve our mission and vision by working together in a spirit of teamwork and mutual respect in accordance with our core values and above all while enjoying what we do and having a lot of  fun, creating and sharing our wine.

Kew Vineyards 4696 King Road Beamsville Ontario
Located on a 160 year old farm estate, with vines planted in 1975 this new Ontario winery has the very experienced Philip Dowel as their winemaker. The property located at 4696 King Street traces its history back over 150 years. The Kew homestead is historically familiar with mixing business and pleasure. William Kew not only built the house in which the winery stands, but he and his family lived in the home and even operated a successful carriage making company from the house.  In 1975, a Mr. Hermann Weis took on the task of planting some of Niagara’s first Riesling vines right on our estate. Bringing his own clones from Germany, Mr. Weis unknowingly became a true pioneer of Ontario’s wine region Their signature wine is the award winning Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier Winemaker: Philip Dowell Philosophy:

Legends Estate Winery 4888 Ontario Street North Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3
Legends is a family owned winery located in Beamsville Ontario. In 1946, patriarch John Lizak planted the seeds of enterprise on a tender fruit farm of a dozen acres. The fertile soil and microclimate of the Niagara peninsula fed his passion and as time passed, the customs of working the land were handed down from father, to son, to grandson. The wineries main location was chosen as it has a great climate, buffered by the lake . This helps to moderate the harsh cold and the extreme heat. This way the vines sustain less damage by both cold and heat. A half century later, a boutique winery was born near Lake Ontario under John's grandson, Paul Lizak; two-hundred acres of fruit and signature grapes to be farmed carefully and harvested gently. A place where history of the past and vision for the future have struck a fine balance; the perfect symmetry of tradition and technology. Paul along with his sister Danielle and their parents Ted and Diane. Legends has over 200 acres of fruit and grapes. Legends has been named Niagara's Most Unique Winery. Paul Liz akI think the four key points some up why we are unique."Steeped in Tradition" Distinguished by Difference" and "Crafted with Refinement" The winery supports Canada's Olympic Culinary Team Signature Wines Chardonnay Reserve, Pinot Noir,Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer Winemaker: Serge Papineau Philosophy: It takes time to build a legend. That's the philosophy behind everything at Legends Estates Winery. It's not just tending vines, it's cultivating relationships. It's acknowledging the special bond between our work, the sun, the soil, and the elements that help us produce wines of exemplary character. We value the connection with our customers; giving them personal attention, face-to-face exchange with our expert winemaker, and the opportunity to experience wine making with a slow, meticulous approach to perfection. We teach those who wish to learn and expand the vistas of those who know.

London Born Wine Co 3749 Walker Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B2
Aug 2017 name changed to London Born Wine CO. A British themed winery. Owned by the Hoare family who immigrated from London, England. The Hoare family began planting grapes in 2007, the winery opened in 2011 in Beamsville. Varieties are Gamay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling and of course the existing Old Vine Marechal Foche. The winery is designed for small-batch production of Gamay, Riesling and a red-and-white blend, Cab Franc and Old Vines Foch. Philosophy: We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations.

Magnotta Winery 4701 Ontario Street Beamsville, ON
Winery founders Gabe and Roseanna Di Zio Magnotta started their winery in 1989 selling directly to consumers. They now rank as Ontario's third largest seller of wines with seven locations. In 1989 they had two wines, today they have 180 including Enotrium,Vidal Icewine and Sparkling Icewines. Gabe and Rossana Di Zio Magnotta are the primary shareholders, Magnotta is a public company. Magnotta is Ontario's third largest winery and the only company of its kind in Ontario licensed to produce and sell wine, beer and distilled products. 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 Magnotta produces wines from grapes grown on its four vineyards totaling 180 acres in Ontario 's Niagara Peninsula and on its 351 acre vineyard in Chile 's Maipo Valley. Grapes grown on its 180 acre Ontario vineyards are entirely processed and vinified for their own use. With over 2400 awards to date they stand firm in their principle as “The Award Winning Winery”. Many of these awards include gold medals from prestigious wine competitions from all over the world such as VinExpo (France) and VinItaly (Italy). Magnotta is also the first and only Canadian winery to have ever won 4 Black Diamond Trophies from Intervin International (United States) for Winery Consistency and Quality. This is awarded at the Intervin International competition to the winery with the most gold medals at the year's competition. They source grapes from other parts of the world to make their wine. They own a major vineyard in Maipo Valley, Chile. Magnotta Vaughan (Toronto) is the company's flagship facility. Located at the Hwy. 400 and Hwy. 7 crossroads. They also have a major facility in Beamsville Magnotta sells directly to the public, bypassing LCBO mark-ups. The only company of its kind in Canada , licensed to produce and sell wine, beer and distilled products. Kittling Ridge, now a proud new brand of Magnotta Winery Signature wines: Enotrium, Icewine and Sparkling Icewine Winemakers: Peter Rotar (Vaughan) and Marco Zamuner (Beamsville) Philosophy: Creativeness, innovation, and a coupling of old world traditions and state-of-the-art facilities, the perfect marriage of the art of winemaking. One of Canada's noted Icewine producers. 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.

Malivoire Wine Company 4260 King Street East P.O. Box 475 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0
Martin Malivoire located his winery theorizing that the Beamsville Bench of the Niagara Peninsula offers many features similar to the great vineyards of Alsace and Burgundy. Here aspect, soil, drainage, airflow and other meso-climactic factors combine to produce uniqueness in our wines – “le goût de terroir.” Currently totaling 50 acres, the estate has two vineyards approximately one kilometre apart on the Bench. The “Moira” Vineyard, acquired first, is now planted to Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. With the addition of the second vineyard, Gamay was added to the list. Malivoire's location is also an exceptional site for their gravity winery. The hillside drop is ideal for our pump-free winemaking process. This gentle approach also extends to the stewardship of our vineyards we do not use insecticides or herbicides We use natural deterrents to repel threats to the vines and have used ladybugs as a natural predator of grapevine leafhoppers. They chose a ladybug as their winery’s symbol to represent balance, the importance of the vineyards and their responsibility to steward their land with sensitivity to the environment. Their symbol, Hippodamia convergens, is the naturally-occurring ladybug in this area and is a desirable, beneficial insect in the vineyard. balance, in nature as in everything, is critical. Ladybug and Guilty Men are wines that occupy a special place in the Malivoire portfolio. Widely available across Canada We talk a lot about "elements". To build a successful winery you have to start with the best of the basics: location, soil, vines, practices and infrastructure. Then come the intangibles: philosophy, objectives, reason, creativity, dedication and energy. These come from people. - Martin Malivoire Winemaker: Shiraz Mottiar Philosophy: Our quality is rooted in the vineyard."

Maple Grove Estate Winery 4063 North Service Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0		na
The second of two wineries owned by Rosanna and Giovanni Follegot, their first being Vinoteca in Woodbridge. Their Niagara operation, Maple Grove Vineyard and Winery is nestled in the Niagara wine region. It is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario on the QEW near Vineland, an excellent location for the production of vinifera grapes. It is dedicated to producing fine grapes such as Merlot, Cabernets, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and transforming them into fine wines using traditional manual methods as it was done half a century ago. Winemaker: Giovanni Follegot Philosophy: "Grow grapes the best way I know how, transform them into wines that reflect the unique characteristics of Ontario wines, while I experience and improve along the way as well."

Mountain Road Wine Company 4016 Mountain Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B7
Mountain Road Wine Company started with the establishment of its first vineyards in 1983 by owner and winemaker Steve Kocsis on a farm originally purchased by his parents Andy and Klara in 1958. Thirteen and a half acres of Chardonnay, Gamay Noir and Vidal vines were planted on the sloping terrain of the Beamsville Bench. As the vines matured to express the unique soil and aspect of the vineyard, the grapes became more and more sought after by various local wineries. Steve began under the tutelage of Deborah Paskus. produced his first commercial wine, a 1999 Vidal Icewine. It won a Gold medal and was judged to be the Best Sweet White Wine at the Cellars of the World International Competition in Ottawa. His barreled aged Chardonnay 2000 won a gold medal in 2004 at the Cuvee Awards Steve Kocsis operates 33 hectares of vineyards in the Beamsville Bench. Annual production is limited to about 2,000 cases to maintain hands-on quality control at every step from growing the grapes to making the wine. Winemaker: Steve Kocsis

Organized Crime. 403 Mountainview Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B7
Located on the Beamsville Bench the name refers to a dispute between rival congregations of Mennonites near Beamsville, which resulted in one group stealing and destroying the other flock’s pipe organ. Their vineyard is south facing producing small quantities of wine. Owned by winegrowers Jan and Krystyna Tarasewicz. and Ania de Duleba. Consulting winemaker Greg Yemen Winemaker: Greg Yemen

Peninsula Ridge  5600 King Street West P.O. Box 550 Beamsville Ontario L0R 1B0
Located less than an hour from Toronto and downtown Buffalo, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery on the Niagara Escarpment charms visitors with its fine wines, superb cuisine and exceptional views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. Norm Beal is the owner. Peninsula Ridge is part of the Beamsville Bench: The 'bench' occupies a narrow strip of land with vineyards clinging to its slopes. Warm days, cool nights and deep soils help to shape the character of our wines. With over 85 acres of vineyards, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery is producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling all on the property. Peninsula Ridge utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the most delicate handling of fruit juice and wines. Fermentation is regulated using high tech, dual batch, temperature controlled tanks imported from France. Below the winery in the barrel cellar, wines age in over 350 French oak barrels to develop sublime depth and complexity. A feature landmark is our instantly recognizable Queen Anne revival Victorian manor built in 1885. The house was meticulously restored and is now The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge, offering an exceptional, fine dining experience in Ontario Wine Country. The winery donates to Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch . winemaker: Jamie Evans

Rosewood Estate Winery and Meadery 4325 Mountainview Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B2
Renata and Eugene Roman purchased 40 acres of land in 2000 on the the Beamsville Bench. Their goal was to start a small-batch artisan winery and meadery. As they love roses and have wonderful woods on the property the winery was named Rosewood. The main Renaceau Vineyard, on Mountainview Rd has been planted with vinifera grapes starting in the year 2003. These grapes are: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Semillon. Spring of 2008 will mark the first release of the 2006 wines to the public. They are currently working on opening the new Haut Roche Vineyard in Jordan. Rosewood is Niagara 's first meadery and produce 3 styles of mead. Eugene is a lifelong beekeeper who produces the honey used in mead making. The Roman family have been beekeepers for 70 years. Eugene is a master beekeeper having maintain his own hives since he was 5 Signature wines: Origin Pinot Noir, Sussreserve Riesling and our classic mead/honey wine, Grand Reserve Ambrosia 2014 a Trophy for , Best Red Wine of the Year at the all Canadian Championship ~ 2012 Lock, Stock, & Barrel Winemakers: Ryan Corrigan Philosophy:We understand great wines reflect their terroir, vintage and personality and have a level of quality that arises from a deep understanding of winemaking techniques and premium grapes. We strive to produce elegant and delicious vineyard-driven wines, with the multi-dimensional qualities to call your senses to attention. Our winemaking is inspired by old world philosophies and complemented with modern new-world techniques. We use the best technologies available that are best suited to the vineyards and microclimates found in Niagara’s unique growing environment.

Thirty Bench Winery PO Box 1172 4281 Mountainview Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0
Located on the Niagara Peninsula near Thirty Mile Creek this winery began as a partnership in the late 1970's to grow grapes. In 1980 it expanded to 39 acres. Under the direction of Tom Muckle and Deborah Paskas their first wine (an icewine) was produced in 1992. In 1980, a physician at McMaster by the name Thomas Muckle, bought an orchard in the Beamsville Bench and slowly converted it into what back then was known as Heritage Vineyards. Needing both physical and financial help, Dr. Muckle joined forces with Yorgos Papageorgiou and Frank Zeritsch, expanded the vineyard and all three men started experimenting with winemaking in small batches. In the early years they sold there grapes to other wineries until 1994 when they established their winery. Today the winery is owned by Andrew Peller Limited and focus on Riesling . They won Best Small Winery of the Year at WineAlign's National Wine Awards of Canada 2015! Emma Garner was winemaker of the year 2015. Winemaker: Emma Garner Philosophy:We want to do our very best and we believe we can do it only if we have complete control of the entire winemaking process.

Vieni Estate Wines & Spirits 4553 Fly Road Beamsville L0R 1B2
Vieni  means come or welcome in Italian. Vieni Wines opened in 2013 with 175 acres; offering a range of whites, reds Icewines, and Charmat Method sparkling wines. Winemaker Mauro Salvador will also produce Grappa and spirits distilled from local fruits. Winemaker: Mauro Salvador Philosophy:

Winemakers often move so changes happen that we cannot keep up with.

Ontario

 

Home | About | Sitemap | New Reports | Contact Us |©2020 Robert A Bell