Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

 


Di Profio Wines Limited

Niagara Peninsula D-K

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

  Daniels motto is "Enthusiasm and curiosity go hand in hand, not only are we excited with the wines we produce we are always reviewing and improving our approach to create wines which exceed our customers expectations".

 



De Moura Winery Way

545 Niagara Stone Rd (Hwy #55)
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
CANADA


May be closed?

Fernando De Moura is the owner of The De Moura Winery Way, born in Madeira, Portuga. He believes in the Old World traditions from the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira Island. On 10 acres they grow Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay varietals.

 Fernando has three adult children – the first is Paullett, the middle-child is Cherish and finally there is Dref. Various wines are named after them.

Winemaker: Fred De Moura




De Simone Vineyards

865 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake

 




De Simone Vineyards is located in the heart of Niagara-On-The-Lake within the Four Mile Creek Appellation.  Situated on 40 acres of land, the boutique winery focuses on quality from the vineyard to bottle.  Each and every wine is produced 100% from estate grown fruit.    Currently they have 6 varieties planted which include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling and Vidal.

Vince De Simone is the owner. In 1967, the De Simone family immigrated to Canada with only a few dollars in their pockets.  Vincenzo’s parents worked long, hard hours to provide for their family, eventually opening three variety stores in the city of St. Catharines.  In 1991 they purchased the farm of their dreams and worked the farm, opening a family run fruit stand that still exists to this day. 

In 2010, Vince and his father hand planted their first vinifera grape vines; three rows of Cabernet Franc.  After seeing the success of the new vines, they continued to plant the rest of the vineyard.  Today there is over 6 acres planted of various varieties.

Vincenzo also studied winemaking at Niagara College, graduating in 2011 from the Winery and Viticulture program. Vincenzo strongly believes in the saying “great wine is made in the vineyard”, and is very knowledgeable in both viticulture and winemaking practices.

Winemaker: Vincenzo Robert De Simone




Diamond Estates -The Winery

1067 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake ON
L0S 1J0


Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. was formed in early 2000 by combining Boka Wines & Spirits Ltd. of Toronto with the acquisitions of Birchwood Estate Wines and Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery Limited, each in the Niagara wine region. Founders Andrew Green and Murray Marshall had known each other for years through amateur baseball and this, combined with their commitment to quality, inspired the name "Diamond".

Lakeview Wine Co. is home to a wide selection of top-selling VQA Ontario wines, including Lakeview Cellars, EastDell, 20 Bees, FRESH Wines, McMichael Collection and Canadian acting legend Dan Aykroyd’s line of wines.

History

2000 Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits agency purchased two small Niagara Wineries – Lakeview Cellars & Birchwood Estates.

2005 – Diamond Estates merges with Niagara Cellars Inc. (EastDell Estates & Thomas and Vaughan wineries). New partnership with Canadian acting legend Dan Aykroyd, Diamond begins crafting Dan Aykroyd wines.

2006 – Dan Aykroyd invests $1 million in Diamond Estates.

2008- Purchased 20 Bees Winery in NOTL a 43,000 square foot winemaking facility, 29 acres of land, purchased De Sousa Wine Cellars in Beamsville.

2009 – Consolidated Lakeview Cellars Winery to 20 Bees Winery.

2010 – Open first “Diamond Estates The Wine Store” in Toronto, Ontario.

2011- Consolidated EastDell Estates to 20 Bees Winery and launched NHL Alumni Hat Trick Wines.

2012 – Re-branded 20 Bees as Diamond Estates The Winery.

2012 -Re Branded as Lakeview Wine Co

Signature wines: EastDell Estates Black Cab, and Lakeview Cellars Reserve reds. Also known for Dan Aykroyd and NHL Alumni partnerships.

Icewines and dessert wines are produced

Diamond Estates the Winery has plans to build an architecturally impressive retail and hospitality facility. They help support 25 Ontario growers. producing Approximately 200,000 cases annually.

Their wines are sold in Eastern and Western Canada with importers in China, USA, Germany, South Africa

Winemakers: VP -Tom Green- Jason Roller & Scott McGregor
Philosophy: high quality wines at a reasonable price point

 


180 Estate Winery

4055 Nineteenth St.
Jordan Station
Ontario, Canada L0R 1S0

 


As of January 14th, 2022, Di Profio Wines has re branded to 180 Estate Winery with new owners Bob and Marzia Murdoch.

It's taken three generations for the Di Profio family to progress from the vineyards of Italy to the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula. The original winemaker was Guiseppe Di Profio an early Pioneer in Canada.

Today his grandson Fred is the winemaker having worked at Pillitteri and Brock University He has a honours degree Oenology and Viticulture from Brock University.

The winery also has a Bistro

Philosophy: We are a boutique winery producing premium wines, using mostly grapes from our Mia Cara vineyard. The grapes are hand-picked and hand sorted for the highest quality. We constantly strive for excellence.



Dobbin Estate

3403 Eleventh St.
Lincoln Ontario”

 

A new winery (2022) located on the Twenty Mile Bench, Wade Dobbin is principals. They have a 50 acre property that over looks a lake. calcium-rich soils are ideal for producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Cabernet Franc. 

 

Peter Gamble and Ann Sperling are the consultants. Wade Dobbin, a land developer who started as an industrial real estate agent and then he and his partner created the Canadian arm of Panattoni, an international development company, bought the property in 2018 and his first order of business was to bring Gamble and Sperling into the fold to re-imagine the property and vineyards and create the finest wines possible from what will grow best in the vineyards.

The wine prices are high.

Philosophy:


Domaine Vagners

1973 Four Mile Creek Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON


Wine lover Martin Vagners is the Canadian head of Scott Laboratories, a company that has extensive involvement with the wine industry, selling yeast strains, fermentation, and processing compounds and a variety of other products.  Having purchased a 7-acre section surrounded by peach orchards in 1990, he immediately planted 2.5 acres of traditional Bordeaux varieties (Caberent Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot) adding a little over an acre of Gewürztraminer; Pinot Gris and Riesling in 1993.  In 1995, he planted 1.2 acres of Pinot Noir , and in 2001 filled in a tiny section with .10 acre of Muscat Ottonel. He also planted about 500 Pinot Gris plants and 100 Pinot Blanc vines to make sparkling wine, but these are not very cold-hardy.  All varieties are cultivated at the relatively high density of 2,000 vines per acre.  The vineyard is flat, with sandy soil, and situated 20m above and 2km south of Lake

Creek Road Red won a silver medal at the 2000 All-Canadian Wine Championships

Winemaker: Martin Vagners
Philosophy: Country wines, hand crafted, 100% hand picked at the right time.




Domaine Queylus

3651 Sixteen Rd.
St. Ann, Ontario
Canada L0R 1Y0

 

The winery is the fruition of a group of friends’ dream and their passion for wine, vineyards and terroir. Forty acres (16 hectares) spread over three appellations in Beamsville,Jordan and St Ann's. The name in honour of Gabriel de Queylus who oversaw the first vinification ever on the shores of Lake Ontario.

The winery is owned by twelve partners from Montreal; Co-managing partners: Gilles Chevalier & Gilles Bussiere. The adventure began in 2007. After a study of the region, the first investors bought an orchard in Beamsville, on Mountain view Street, and converted the orchard to a vineyard. Several samples of soil from 30 locations were collected and shipped to France for analysis. An analysis of the soil produced in Bordeaux demonstrated the exceptional quality of the terroir.

A very efficient drainage system was installed according to soil type. In the Pinot Noir section, there is drainage for each row. Also, vines of Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc were planted. The part of the vineyard attributed to Chardonnay required a slight leveling and the earth was left fallow for two years.

2009 - After two fallow years, the soil is ready to welcome the Chardonnay vines.
2010 - Mr. Thomas Bachelder was engaged as our principal consultant and manager
2012 - The first tastings confirmed the potential of the soil.
2013 - There was a problem with the construction of the winery. To overcome these problems, we acquired a new property located in St. Anns (West Lincoln) where the new winery was established, with a tasting room as well.

Currently only four varietals are Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay

signature wines?  Pinot Noir & Chardonnay

Winemaker: Thomas Bachelder,  Kelly Mason, Assistant Winemaker

Philosophy: Queylus is a recently-established domaine-style winery dedicated to a select number of varietals adapted perfectly to Niagara’s soils and microclimate. Domaine Queylus is the fruit of long years of hard work and planning, and was dreamt into existence by a group of friends passionate about wine, the land and terroir. Queylus crafts small lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from organically-run estate vineyards in Beamsville and the Jordan Bench. The wines, made by Thomas Bachelder since 2010, display finesse, structure, depth, elegance and minerality.





Drea's Wine Co


Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

 

A virtual winery producing wines at Reif Estate Winery. The brand is owned by Andrea Kaiser daughter of noted winemaker the late Karl Kaiser. Andre spend most of her working career in the restaurant business before joining Reif Winery.

My journey continues with the launch of Drea’s Wine Company which fulfills my aspiration to carry on my father’s legacy in some small way. It is also of great significance to me as it has been made possible by my family, friends and colleagues. A very special thank you to my brother Maximilian, a graphic designer, who made my creative vision a reality and to my life partner John who nudged me forward. I am also most thankful to winemakers Roberto DiDomenico and Fernando Morales who crafted my wine in the style I love best and Klaus W. Reif who made it possible for my dream to become a reality.

 



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. Verjus a non-alcohlic wine is also produced.

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

 


Featherstone Estate Winery

3678 Victoria Ave.
Vineland, ON L0R 2C0


Featherstone Estate Winery is owned and operated by David Johnson and Louise Engel, a husband and wife team who have already gained fame in the Guelph area for their culinary expertise at the Guelph Poultry Gourmet Market, which they established in 1986. They come to the wine industry from careers dedicated to excellence in food and a passion for wine.

The name Featherstone is a contrived one for Dave and Louise and is derived from their personal history but is not their family name. For years the couple owned and operated a gourmet food shop in Guelph, Ontario, that specialized in poultry. They were purveyors of everything from quail to turkeys. If it had feathers, they sold it.

'Stone' is a reference to the geography of their vineyard in Niagara, which backs into the Niagara Escarpment. There is a stone rock face on the west side of the farm and behind that there is a rock quarry

Since 1999 Featherstone has remained insecticide-free, releasing ladybugs and lacewings to control aphids and by using pheromone traps to control the more serious hazard of grape berry moth.

An agreeable balance has been struck on the farm between the populations of potentially damaging insects and the beneficial ones. Featherstone is not adjacent to any other vineyards and so is not influenced by neighbouring pest populations.

In 2003, Featherstone Estates was chosen as best vineyard in Ontario, and David Johnson was named Grape King. This prestigious annual award is judged by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario and the Grape Growers of Ontario.

Featherstone was one of the first wineries to use Canadian oak barrels, producing an exceptional barrel-fermented Canadian oak Chardonnay in 2002. The Riesling, planted in 1978, is some of the oldest Riesling in Niagara. Today the entire grape crop is bottled to produce Featherstone wines, with approximately 5,000 cases a year being vinified.

 

Signature wines: full bodied Gamay Noir and dry Gewürztraminer

2008: Premier’s Award for Agri-Innovation Excellence | for use of lambs in the vineyard
2009: Premier’s Award for Agri-Innovation Excellence | for use of falcons in the vineyard

Winemaker: David Johnson

Philosophy: Work throughout the season to enhance the grapes’ natural attributes, ensuring that at harvest balanced wine is produced with minimal winemaking embellishments. "To do my job as winemaker, I need to be involved in the grape growing. There are so many decisions that affect the flavours and quality of the wine." A crucial decision is when to harvest and this is determined by tasting the grapes for the perfect balance of acid, sugar and desired flavour profiles. Harvesting the fruit at its peak is essential and this control is a key advantage for small wineries. Winemaking and grape growing are both scientific and intuitive processes.



Ferox

1829 Concession 4,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON


Fabian and Stephanie Reis have purchased and taken possession of Rancourt winery. In 205 they harvest Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes for their first wine. Only three barrels were made,

Fabian Reis make icewines for Ziraldo Icewine  then started his own label Ferox. Erwin is a longtime grape grower for Peller – and has won grape grower of the year from Peller three out of the past seven years.

Its 25 acre vineyard in the heart of the Niagara Lakeshore sub-appellation produces outstanding grapes for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Riesling and chardonnay. They have received the Ontario Viticulture Sustainability Certification.

They have a brand called Black Lion Cuvee which are quite expensive.

Winemaker: Fabian Reis



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.

In 2019, Fielding Craft Cider was launched

 


Five Row Craft Wine

361 Tanbark Road
St. David's Ontario Canada
L0S 1P0

Five Row Craft Wine

Five Rows Craft Winery is located in Niagara's St. David's Bench sub-appellation on the 5th generation Lowrey Vineyards property, a 35-acre vineyard that produces craft wine grape varietals for customer wineries in the area. Lowrey wine grapes have supplied some of Canada's most prestigious wines by accomplished winemakers and garnered many awards.

The name originated in 1984, when Howard Wesley Lowrey was convinced by Karl Kaiser to rip up their livelihood of tender fruit and juice grapes and plant wine grapes — vinifera. Taking a deep breath and a lot of chance, he planted 5 rows of Pinot Noir .

The winery produces about 500 cases a year “It’s just me, my mum and my dad,” says winemaker Wes Lowrey

It was Wes, a graduate of the oenology and viticulture at program at Brock University, who in 2007 convinced his dad Howard to produce wines from the estate’s fruit as a sideline to grape growing. The idea was to bottle a limited 800-case portfolio of wines, sell it out of the small barn on the property that acts as the winery and retail facility and keep it open (weekends only, or by appointment) until the wines sold out. That window has become shorter and shorter every year while the case production and prices have remained pretty much the same.



Winemaker: Wes Lowery
Philosophy: I approach winemaking in a very pragmatic fashion. Concentrate on doing what it takes to make the most honest wine possible from the very best grapes. It was my belief that we could craft a spectacular wine in very small quantities while still producing exceptional fruit for our winery clients.



Flat Rock Cellars

2727 Seventh Avenue,
Jordan, ON, L0R 1S0


When owner Ed Madronich, a Toronto lawyer, found that Jordan Summit was not available, he remembered the unusual flat rocks in a ravine on the property and crafted a new name for the winery that opened in 2004. The winery's tasting room commands a view over undulating vineyards that surround it, and beyond, to Lake Ontario and the distant Toronto skyline

Set into the side of a hill, the winery was cleverly designed as a gravity flow winery. The winery is filled with technical innovations, including a geothermal heating and cooling system. At the heart of this are 4,572 metres/15,000 feet of pipes snaking back and forth at the bottom of the small man-made lake beside the winery. Heat exchangers give the winery the option of cooling wine tanks or heating the winery, as required. The advantage is a green image and inexpensive climate control.

The winery has 65-acre vineyard, and is very tightly focused on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Flat Rock is releasing all its wines, red and white, in bottles that have screw-cap closures

 Platinum winning wine Flat Rock 2016 Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling, Twenty Mile Bench at Nationals


Philosophy: We start in the vineyard with low yields, progressive viticulture practices and hand picking and sorting the grapes. We continue inside the winery with a sexy gravity-flow design and the latest in wine making equipment from around the world. 



 Fogolar Wines

3900 Cherry Ave
Vineland, Ontario
L0R 2C0


Fogolar wines are made by winemaker Marc Pistor. Fogolar, all about classic Riesling and Cabernet Franc made in small batches, often from distinguished single vineyards in Niagara. Throughout his years in the industry, Marc Pistor has had the opportunity to train alongside some of Ontario’s best winemakers, learning his craft and discovering his passion. 

The name "Fogolar" comes from Marc's roots and concept of the hearth which a traditional gathering place to share food with family and friends.

 


The Foreign Affair Winery

4890 Victoria Ave. North
Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0


After experiencing life in Italy Len Crispino, his wife Marisa, and their daughter Stefanie decided to start a winery. In 2000, with the kind encouragement of a dear friend, John Howard, they acquired some prime farmland in the Vineland area of the Niagara Peninsula. Then  they sourced and planted 40 acres of Amarone-inspired vines. After three years of carefully nurturing the vines, the first crop was harvested in 2004. In the time-held tradition of Amarone, they delicately dry our grape stock in a barn until each of the varietals were perfect for winemaking.

Phil Clarke of Glenn Elgin Vineyard Management is the Consultant Viticulturalist.

In 2013 the Government of Ontario awarded The Foreign Affair Winery with prestigious Innovation Award. This recognition underscores the pioneering work and leadership contribution our winery has made in successfully and uniquely bringing to life the Appassimento technique to the Canadian marketplace.

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited, a leading Canadian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spirits and imported wine, a has entered into an agreement to acquire Foreign Affair winery, August 2017.

Winemaker:  Barclay Robinson
Philosophy: We are very proud of the fact the our wines are Canadian and home grown. But make no mistake, we were greatly influenced by the rich Italian (Veneto Region) history of appassimento (drying process). It was in Veneto where it all started and reference to amarone or recioto belong only to those winemaking visionaries. They were and still are the legendary pioneers for whom we have huge respect and admiration. Our Canadian stylistic interpretation with locally grown vinifera varietals are referred to as appassimento (grape drying or Reduction Method) rather than the uniquely owned names found in Veneto


Frogpond Farm

1385 Larkin Road, RR 6
Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0


Frogpond Farm is the first certified organic winery in Ontario. Owner/winemaker Jens Gemmrich and Heike Koch believe in working in harmony with nature by trying to establish a balanced environment both in the vineyard as well as in the wine making process.

The winery has 30 acres planted with Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling Vidal. All grapes are hand-picked and crafted into lively genuine wines using only gentle traditional winemaking techniques.

The winery uses Bullfrog power. Bullfrog sources power exclusively from generators who meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice M Program EcoLogo M standard for renewable electricity.
The power comes from clean, emission-free sources like wind power and low-impact water power instead of carbon-intensive sources.

Signature wines: Riesling, Cabernet Merlot


Winemaker: Jens Gemmrich
Philosophy: Oenology 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, and are certified by Pro-Cert Organic.



G Marquis

4520 Ontario St.
Beamsville


A virtual brewery with vineyards in the historic Niagara-on-the-Lake region.
Owned by Magnotta,Ontario's third largest winery. Know for their icewines.

G. Marquis is never doubting your failures, believing in your convictions and always carving your own path by remembering where you came from. It's about taking a stand and making sure you're heard, challenging the establishment and never allowing to be restrained. G. Marquis is honest and complex. Raw yet civilized. Edgy but with natural elegance and good taste

The G. Marquis Red Line is a collection of 100% Ontario VQA wines

Winemaker:

 



Ginsenex

15608 Niagara Parkway,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
L0S 1J0

 

Ginseng is a human shaped root that is one of the most popular healing herbs in the East and West and has been used as a general tonic to combat weakness and give extra energy. Ginseng, prized for millennia, has an ancient history with a wide range of therapeutic uses. The genus name Panax is derived from the Latin word "panacea" meaning "cure-all" and named by German scientist C.A. Meyer in 1842.

Ginsenex ginseng wine is 100% pure ginseng wine made from North American ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium). It is made by fermenting ginseng roots as a base ingredient.

Ginseng has a large therapeutic effect on the human body (the genus name Panax means 'cure-all') and the wine has unique flavours and aromas. This is done by extracting all the nutrients, aroma and flavour from the whole ginseng roots (juice, skin and pulp).

A scientific fermentation approach is used in every process of the winemaking which is different from the art of other wine making. Ginsenex ginseng wine contains more than 90 percent of ginseng's constituents which provides health benefits in addition to the characteristic taste and flavour of the ginseng.

The wine is produced at the Rief facilities by winemaker In Sung Lee. He has been making health wines for sixteen years and has obtained several patents for making wines such as Soybean wine(2003), Mushroom wine(2007) and Ginseng wine(2009). His interest in making health wines began following a bout with vocal cord cancer and lymphoma cancer (1989-1990).

Mr. Lee studied alternative medicine and received a diploma in "Natural Health Consultant" with highest honours from "Stratford Career Institute" in 1995. He also has written a book titled "Medicinal Herbs and Home Appliance" in 1996

Winemaker: In Sung Lee

 


Greenlane Estate Winery

3751 King Street
Vineland , ON


Originally located near Beamsville in the Niagara Peninsula. The winery opened in 2010. Greenlane Estate Winery's new location at 3751 King Street in Vineland, They produce two brands. Greenlane Estate and Greetings. They have 22 acres

Roger Elgner and Robert Paul own it. It was formerly Birchwood Estate Winery. It was purchased by Robert Paul (who formerly ran the restaurant at EastDell Estate Winery) and partner Roger Elgner, a Toronto financier.

Winemaker: Dianne Smith
Philosophy:
At Greenlane Estate Winery, winemaking is a labour of love. We strive to craft wines that speak truthfully of their vineyard origins by paying close attention to the terroir and allowing the fruit and vintage to determine how the wines will evolve. During harvest, the fruit is our dictator of style and our process allows the true flavours of the grapes to shine through the bottle.


Good Earth Vineyard and Winery

4556 Lincoln Ave.
Beamsville, ON
L0R 1B3

 

 

The Good Earth Vineyard and Winery ( The Good Earth Food & Wine Co.) 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. Christine Flynn is the Proprietor.

A celebrated chef and writer, Christine’s book “A Generous Meal: Modern Recipes for Dinner” is a national bestsellerHer work has also appeared in The New York TimesWired and Bon Appètit, among others.

They have beautiful gardens orchard and vineyards.

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.

 


Harbour Estates Winery

4362 Jordan Road
Jordan Station ON

The winery on the water

HEW is located on one of the most unique properties in the Niagara Peninsula. Having 1800 feet of frontage on Jordan Harbour, HEW is the most prominent point in Jordan Harbour as seen from the Queen Elizabeth Highway. As HEW is located directly on Jordan Harbor it is only natural that the winery is built with the theme of water and the environment in mind. Dedicated to the production of fine VQA wines, with an emphasis on red Viniferas. Their property is planted to 30 acres of red vinifera grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Winemaker is Jeff Innes, owned and operated by Fraser Mowat.

Fraser and his wife Darlene along with their children Ken, Cassie and Angela all have a hand in the day to day running of Harbour Estates. While Fraser and Darlene oversee the day to day operations, their children all do their part. Ken joined the winery in 2000 as the marketing manager, but his keen interest in wine production led him to become our winemaker in 2002.  He gained his winemaking knowledge from Niagara College.

Fraser's great Grandfather came to Canada in 2013 Fraser's father William purchased a 17 acre peach farm on Mountainview Road in Beamsville in 1952. In 1980 they purchased the current 38 acres., growing peaches for many years. In 1997 we planted our first Merlot grapes near the back of the property.  In 1999, my parents retired, and we decided to plant the whole property out in grapes. We pulled out 30 acres of peaches and planted it out to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Our first vintage of wine was in 1999.

They currently have Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Baco Noir, Cabernet and Strawberry wine available.

Silver medal for 1999 Sauvignon Blanc in the Cellars of the World 2000 competition held in Ottawa

Winemaker: Ken Mowat
Philosophy: Focus on premium vinifera reds


Harvest Estates Wines

1607 Eighth Ave.
St Catharines, ON L2R 6P7


Located 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 in house retail store is the Harvest Barn a successful and popular place to purchase fruits and baked goods

Grape and fruit wines are produced they also make a Rhubarb wine

Owned by the Hernder Family

Winemaker: Angela Kasimos




Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

1469 Pelham Rd., RR #1
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7

 


The winery is located close to lake Ontario in the township of Pelham It stands on the Short Hills Bench at the base of the Niagara Escarpment (a United Nations biosphere) in St. Catharines, Ontario. The winery is owned by the Speck family who trace their connection with the property back to 1794.

The winery began In 1984, when Paul Speck Sr. tore out the Concord and Niagara grapes, along with each of us his three sons Matthew, Daniel and Paul. They planted Riesling and Chardonnay under newly contoured hills and under drainage. The winery opened in 1988 using the former carriage house built by Henry of Pelham in 1842.

Today Paul Speck heads the winery. The brothers have grown the winery into one of Ontario's leading wineries producing 75,000 cases a year.

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery was a founding member of the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA)

Winemaker: Sandrine Bourcier



Hernder Estate Wines

1607 8th Avenue
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7



A quiet country road, the gentle swell of vineyards beneath the brow of the Niagara Escarpment; turn down the lane, through a unique wooden covered bridge up to an immense, perfectly restored 1867 Victorian barn...

Hernder Estates is one on Niagara's more elegant estates, a photographers dream. Their wines are even more impressive..

The Hernder's is a third generation grape farmers family dating back from 1939. Fred Hernder was crowned the youngest Grape King back in 1977. In 1988 Fred Hernder made 2 important decisions: to replant his acreage with classic Vitis Vinifera & French Hybrid varieties and also to purchase the Victorian cattle barn (circa 1867)on 8th Avenue ~ this, to launch his newest endeavour, that of his own winery. The first vintage in 1991 consisted of 7,000 bottles of Vidal. Two years later, on September 17, 1993, Hernder Estate Wines officially opened to the public.

Hernder Estate Wines has expanded it's operation five fold to presently producing more than 25 varieties of VQA wines from it's 500 acres of land spread between St. Catharines and Beamsville

Current plantings focus on traditional Vitis Vinifera varieties including Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Gris . Other popular varieties include sturdy French hybrids that are ideally suited to our cool climate growing region and include Vidal, Baco Noir and Maréchal Foch .


Their wines are available in Japan and China

Winemaker: Angela Kasimos



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. 


Hinterbrook Winery

1181 Lakeshore Road,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Canada L0S 1J0

 

 


The full name is Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery.  The ultimate creation of Hinterbrook was inspired by a conversation around the Nickel family table in 2009. It was from that conversation that Phil Nickel commitment to producing premium wines with the latest technology in an  eco-onscious manner began to take shape. Hinterbrook’s grapes are handpicked, hand-sorted and gravity fed on one level. First vintage 1998.

Hinterbrook Estate Winery is committed to practicing ecological sustainability. Solar powered with geothermal climate control and water conserving technology, the facility is on the cutting edge of modern viticulture.

The historic site that is the home of Hinterbrook winery was first settled in 1789 by the Servos family who were United Empire Loyalists.

They produce icewines. Brand name Nomad.

Signature wine: Franc Blanc, a white wine produced from the intensely red Cabernet Franc grape.

Winemaker:
Philosophy: Our wines are driven by the sun; we are driven by quality.




Honsberger Estate


4060 Jordan Road
Jordan Station, Ontario
L0R 1S0


Honsberger Estate is a family owned ( Barbara Honsberger Condotta)and operated farm (since1811), winery and restaurant in Jordan. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Franc and Riesling along with peaches, pears, apples and nectarines lining the property. The winery is located in an historical home.

They produce about 900 cases The vineyard has 11.8 acres Cabernet Franc.    3.9 acres Riesling  Rob Condotta is the Vineyard Manager.

We strive to achieve a family experience for all our guest. Strangers become friends and friends become family. Everything at Honsberger starts with a real love for our craft. Our team is unrelentingly passionate about quality. 

a  winery is defined by four key conditions — the right land, the right grapes, the right equipment and the right winemaker. 

Wines are only available on-site

The small Barn restaurant with its large fireplace creates a cozy and romantic Ambiance.


Philosophy: Our winemaking philosophy is to really show how great the site is- no compromises! We particularly love this site for Cabernet Franc. We isolate the two different blocks and ferment them as smaller lots; some lots undergo wild fermentation. Everything is aged for 18 months and our Reserve is aged for 32 months. We love what we do and everyone gets involved to help out. Although we have a lot of fun in the vineyards and winery, we are really serious about winemaking.


Icellars Estate Winery

615 Concession 5 Road
Niagara On The Lake


 It was founded in 2010 by the ICEL family who pays tribute to their homeland Anatolia, now present day Turkey. The Anatolian civilization of Hittites called their lands 'Wiyana Wanda' meaning “Land of Wine”. 

Owned by Adnan Icel and his wife Elif a 60 acres (24 Ha) vineyard & future winery focusing on big reds Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Four Mile Creek sub-appellation provides the ample nutrients needed to produce high quality fruit for winemaking. 

Adnan and his wife Elif immigrated to Canada in 2006 for their two sons’ educational purposes. He again founded an engineering company in Oakville, Ontario which designs buildings and renewable energy projects which is still very active.

The winery is certified Organic, Certified Sustainable and Net Zero Energy. Icellars follows Regenerative Farming practices which mainly focuses on soil protection for future generations with less tillage.

Icellars has just finished a big Greenhouse Gas Reduction project with the help of a Government of Canada grant to be the first Net Energy Zero Winery in Canada by June 2023 including solar PV electricity generation, geothermal heating&cooling and precise agricultural technologies.

Icellars is also a signatory of THE PORTO PROTOCOL which guides wineries around the world to implement good environmental practices.

The winery building was designed and built on the principles of having everything under one roof, creating a simple yet functional space. The winery building designed and engineered by Adnan Icel was chosen to be the most compatible winery building by the Town of N.O.T.L.

2016 releases Chardonnay, a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a blend called Arinna.

Winemaker:





Inniskillin

RR#1
Niagara Parkway
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0




Inniskillin, co-founded by Donald J.P. Ziraldo and Karl J. Kaiser, is located in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada, on the Niagara Peninsula. Inniskillin was granted the first estate winery license in Canada. The name Inniskillin is Irish and is derived from the famous Irish regiment, the Inniskilling Fusiliers. Colonel Cooper, a member of this regiment, served in North America in the War of 1812. On completion of his military service, he was granted Crown land which he named the Inniskillin Farm

The first Inniskillin winery was housed in an old packing shed at the family nursery, two kilometers (km) from its current location. As the popularity of their wines grew it was necessary to enlarge the winery 1978, Inniskillin relocated to our present site, The Brae Burn Estate

In 1991 Donald Ziraldo traveled to the Grand Pix d'Honneur Show bringing only their 1989 icewine. It was was the award hear around the world win Inniskillin won the gold.

Senior Winemaker Bruce Nicholson has been recognized as one of the best winemakers globally by International Wine and Spirits Competition, London, England. Jackson-Triggs Okanagan has been named Winery of the year by Wine Access Magazine for two consecutive years ( 2003-2004)

They also have a winery and vineyards in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley

Winemaker: Bruce Nicholson
Philosophy: Like all art forms, winemaking is an inspired mastery of technique and the harmonizing of complex elements.



Jackson-Triggs Vintners

2145 Niagara-on-the-Lake
Ontario




One of the more noted names in the Canadian wine industry with wineries in both Ontario and British Columbia. The Ontario vineyards are located in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region. Every bottle of Jackson-Triggs wines bears the signature of the proprietors Alan Jackson and Donald Triggs. They believe that wine making is a delicate balancing act between art, science and nature requiring equal parts knowledge and intuition.

Since Jackson-Triggs Vintners' inception in 1993, both its Okanagan and Niagara wines have been honoured with many prestigious and notable awards. The list soars above most Canadian wineries with over 675 awards won to date - including more than 450 and 225 in International and Canadian competitions respectively

The Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery was opened in July 2001 and is a state-of-the-art 47,000 square foot winemaking facility, set within a picturesque 26-acre vineyard. Annual production is approximately 100,000 cases. The winery also boasts an open-air amphitheater that launched its first season in June 2002 and continues to attract mass audiences every summer.

The Jackson-Triggs product portfolio consists of VQA table wines, sparkling wines and Icewines that carry either the black Proprietors' Reserve label or the rarer gold Grand Reserve label. The Grand Reserve collection showcases limited edition, super-premium wines that are usually only available at the winery. Joining the Grand Reserve wines is an ultra specialty wine tier made exclusively from the fruit of the Delaine Vineyard, a unique, single vineyard located on the lakeshore along the Niagara Parkway .

The winemaking process under Rob Scapin, recently appointed Chief Winemaker for Jackson-Triggs, will utilize a gravity flow system thus minimizing harmful pumping of the young wine. Storage cellars are being built deep underground where natural ambient moisture and cooler temperatures will provide ideal conditions for barrel aging.

Their vision is to produce wines of exceptional quality and value that will put Canadian wines on the world stage. Every bottle of Jackson-Triggs wines bears the signature of its proprietors. They believe that wine making is a delicate balancing act between art, science and nature requiring equal parts knowledge and intuition.

VINCOR International, grew from pioneering origins in Chateau-Gai and Brights Wines to become the largest wine producer in Canada and fourth largest in North America. VINCOR is now better known by its individual "houses," Inniskillin Wines, Sawmill Creek, Braeburn Cellars, L'Ambiance, and most recently, Jackson-Triggs.

Winemaker: Marco Piccoli /
Philosophy: We want our wines to clearly present the character of the grapes.

Alan Jackson: "People's tastes continue to grow. We are now challenged to take the next step, and produce more complex wines, more interesting tastes. To do that, we need to build the resources, the experience with the grapes and the winemaking to produce higher quality wine to meet those expectations."

Named International Winery of the Year at the 2005 San Francisco Wine Competition



Joseph's Estate Wines

1811 Niagara Stone Road
(Hwy 55), RR#3
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0


 

Dr. Joseph Pohorly was one of the first winery owners in Niagara. He founded Newark Winery in the Village of Virgil in 1979, one of the three original cottage wineries that opened in Niagara in the '70s and laid the foundation for the growth of the new Ontario wine industry. Joseph himself was no stranger to wines. Born in Vineland, Ontario, he began life as a farmer's son and learned how to grow grapes and other fruit crops from an early age, gaining an appreciation and knowledge of the land, of our geography and climate, and of the unique characteristics that make this viticultural area special.

In 1983, Joseph made the first Icewine for Hillebrand and, in the process, became of the early Canadian Icewine pioneers. By the following year, almost every winery in Niagara was leaving grapes hanging on the vines to create the luscious nectar that would become the darling of the industry.

The winery was sold

Winemaker: Kathy Reid
Philosophy:
To produce world class wines at an affordable price.



Kacaba Vineyards

Box 404 3550 King Street.
Vineland, Ontario. L0R 2C0


Located on prime grape growing acreage on the Niagara Escarpment Bench in Vineland. Michael Kacaba was able to purchase the property in 1997 and immediately set to work in planting his vineyard.

 Kacaba Vineyards 2007 Meritage was presented with the award Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines.


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 wellbeing 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.




Kern & Co

 


Vineland, Ontario

 

 



A virtual winery. Adam Kern is an accomplished winemaker and sommelier with over 17 years of experience in the wine industry. After many years of building partnerships with winegrowers, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts, the time had come to realize a lifelong dream of starting a label that hones in on the strengths of Niagara as a winegrowing region.  Kern & Co. is the culmination of strong partnerships, collaboration, and expertise with the mission to produce remarkable world-class wines.

Philosophy: Passionate about contributing to the industry’s long-term sustainability and pursuit of excellence, Kern & Co. showcases Niagara’s exceptional terroir, and recognizes the important role that great winegrowers, wineries, and wine enthusiasts have in producing wines of significance. Through the use of select grape varieties and vineyard sites farmed by premium winegrowers, we strive to craft wines with precision and restraint that demonstrate a discipline in focus. We explore diverse winemaking techniques with relentless curiosity; applying a sound base of knowledge and expertise while adapting and evolving with each vintage. The resulting wines tell a story of continuous improvement and express the nuance of each vintage while upholding an uncompromising dedication to quality.




Kew Vineyards


4696 King Road
Beamsville Ontario

 

Acquired by Arterra Wines -May 2023

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:



Kings Court Estate Winery

 

St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 6P9 CANADA

 

 


The Winery was founded in 1990 by Josef and his wife Siglinde Zimmerman. The Zimmerman's can trace their wine making back to 1723 in Germany. Kaiser Wlihem a German king is said to have tasted the Zimmerman wine and was impressed. The family's winery became known as Kings Vineyard.

Josef’s Canadian winemaking career began in 1976 when he joined one of Canada’s largest wineries, Jordan and Ste. Michelle Cellars, at its West Coast operation in Victoria. From 1977 to 1978, Josef introduced new grape growing and winemaking technology to the young Canadian grape growing industry. In 1980, Josef was relocated to the company’s home office in Ontario, where in recognition of his hard work and expertise, he was appointed Director of Viticulture, Oenology, and Research for Canada.

The winery is best known for its icewines. They cultivate 60 acres of vines.

Winemakers: Josef Zimmerman and Roland Zimmerman



Kings + Victoria

 

3845 Victoria Avenue
Vineland, Ontario

 

 


Kings + Victoria
Winery


Located on the Twenty Mile Bench in Vineland. In 29023 they released their first wines from their Hanck Vineyard and Haynes Street Vineyard. The winery id owned by Rob and Liz Harold and Joe and Tracey Schenck. Over twenty years ago Rob told liz his dream was to own a winery!

 Rob spent two years studying at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. They gained experience by working at the Wineries.

The family winery sits on our Hanck Vineyard in the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation, just a stone's throw away from the intersection of King Street and Victoria Avenue in Vineland, Ontario.

With its gently sloping clay and limestone soils, it is an extraordinary site for ripening nuanced, mineral rich fruit.




Kirby Estate

1385 Larkin Road, RR 6
Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0


The Kirby Estate, owned by Maria and Scott Kirby, is situated in the regional appellation of Niagara -On-The-Lake, sub-appellation Niagara Lakeshore and is approximately 2.7 km south of Lake Ontario.  The location between the escarpment and the lake fosters convection breezes which ventilate the vines and moderate winter and summer temperature extremes, while extending the growing season into late October and early November allowing for exceptional fruit maturation.

Historically the property lies in the shallows of former Lake Iroquois, now receded, but leaving behind clay tills and sandy loams.  Additionally, the east half of the property is contained within an historic floodplain of a former tributary of the Niagara River (now 4 Mile Creek) which has over 17,000 years deposited calcareous sediments eroded from the escarpment resulting in additional alkalinity in the silty and sandy soils.   This soil condition is highly desirable for resulting acidity in the wine.  The area temporarily floods annually in the spring resulting in natural fertilization. 



Konzelmann

1096 Lakeshore Road
(between Firelanes 5 and 6) RR#3
Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0


The Konzelmann family first established a winery in Germany in 1893. Today more than 100 years later, Herbert Konzelmann continues the tradition in Niagara-on-the-Lake, produces wines that represent the culmination of four generations of penology. According to Herbert the morning dew that settles on the grapes gives his wine a uniquely delicate and fruity taste.

From its humble beginnings in Canada in 1984, this family owned winery now offers more than 30 different VQA varieties including national and international award winning wines and Icewines. The lakefront winery thrives on soil and climatic conditions similar to those of the Alsace region of France. This wonderful balance of sun, soil and moisture helps to produce wines with delicate, fruity characteristics, unique only to the 'lakeshore' appellation of Niagara.

Herbert explained that he moved his family to Canada was at a time when the wine industry was in its infancy stage. They arrived with ten 40 foot containers brimming over with winemaking equipment plus the family household possessions. “We took a big risk coming here. When I went to the Canadian Consulate for our visas, I explained that we were immigrating to Canada to start a winery in Niagara. The officer laughed and told me to go ahead and help make Canada famous”. Herbert smiled in reflection. “I am very glad I bought our property and have great pride that I have created wines that have helped to put Canada on the world stage.”

Philosophy: A good wine is produced in the vineyard. The natural vinification of our grapes guarantees
top-quality wines.'



Niagara Peninsula

A-C/ L-Q / R-Z

 

Niagara Peninsula D-K / Niagara Peninsula L-Q


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