Robert Bell's
Wines of Canada
Since 1992
Brian Schmidt
Brain Schmidt is not only an incredible winemaker he is an incredible person!
He is one of the more notable champions of the Ontario wine Industry he has been the winemaker at Vineland Estate for over thirty Years.
He was born in Kelowna, British Columbia and was raised on a vineyard that had been in the family for three generations. The Schmidt family was one of the founding families of the Okanagan wine industry and this was the bedrock of Brian’s interest in winemaking. His father was a co-founder of Sumac Ridge. Brian has experimented, researched and has traveled extensively throughout Europe’s cool climate regions studying winemaking and the specific connections to the land. It is this intensive experience that has resulted in the creation of a winemaking style that has become Vineland Estates Winery’s signature.
Brian has traveled extensively throughout Europe studying winemaking and the winemaking process. In 1991, Brian traveled to Ontario to train with his brother Allan, who was the original winemaker at Vineland Estates. Brian took over this position at the winery in 1994
Brian maintains, “It is critical to understand the soil and site where your grapes are grown while developing a defined, yet flexible frame to react to the curve balls that Mother Nature likes to throw. I do have an untamed passion for growing all cool climate varieties, but I must admit that I have a particular love for Riesling and Cabernet Franc.”
Brian is not one to take all the credit for the success of Vineland wines“You do know that I have an entire team of creative and dedicated individuals behind me. The award is clearly the result of the efforts of a team of talented people at Vineland, all working towards a common goal. I was the fortunate one to be able to receive the award on their behalf.”
One notable achievement was the awarding of the 2003 VinItaly Grand Gold trophy as the highest scoring winery in a field of over three thousand wines. This was the first time this trophy had ever been awarded outside of Europe. Brian humbly accepts the many honours but is quick to get back to the important business of building Vineland Estates’ reputation for wines that delight and engage by expressing the true essence of place.
Brian enjoys the social media and is one friendly gentleman. As vice president Brian must ensure the winery is profitable and attracts customers. The only way we can differentiate ourselves from all these other great experiences ( provided by other wineries) "is by creating an emotional connection.” “we’re in the business of creating memories.”
Brian is a very caring Gentleman. He spends much of his free time helping the people of Haiti. “Haiti calls me every day,” Schmidt says. “Not a single day goes by when I’m not thinking about Haiti. I have to make sure it doesn’t consume me.”
Brian first came to Haiti in 2013 when he chaperoned his son Connor’s youth group on a nine-day volunteer stint with Haiti Mission.
As a multi-award winning winemaker Brain has also served on numerous boards for the promotion of the wine industry and his community. He has served as the chair of Vinter Quality Alliance.
In 2024 Brain and his team are working with Agriculture Canada on new technology that would change wine production around the word. Bolted onto the back of a traditional grape harvester is a stainless-steel contraption with ultraviolet light mechanisms. Vineland Estates Winery winemaker Brian Schmidt drives the machine through the fields, treating rows of vines with Clean Works technology — a combination of ozone, ultraviolet light and a small amount of hydrogen peroxide mist. Ultraviolet light has antiseptic properties, but in this case, it’s being used as an energy source that breaks up ozone and hydrogen peroxide, forming hydroxyl radical.
As the machine rolls across, the unstable and reactive OH attaches itself, oxidizes and kills any organic pathogens in the grapevines. It took months of adjustments, prototypes and field testing, but the technology has shown to provide more than 99 per cent protection against powdery mildew and other pathogens known to be harmful to grapevines. Without the use of chemical pesticides.
The technological innovation by Clean Works has implications that could benefit grape growers and wine producers around the world.
Vineland Estate WineryVineland is nestled on the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment with 180 acres. Situated on our Certified Sustainable land, our cluster of restored historic buildings provides a warm, welcoming. The farming on these lands began back in 1845. The carriage House (used for events was build in 1875. Although forced a rebuild using some of the original materials in 1999.
The grow of the winery stared in 1979 when Herman Weis purchased the property He brought from his native Germany Riesling Vines. Mr. Weis developed his own clone 21 and his plans were to grow and sell his Riesling vines all across North America. He planted 40 acres of his vines in 1979 at the Moyer farm to show his faith. To honour his new vineyard he called the old Moyer farm, St. Urban Vineyard
In 1980 Vineland became a licensed winery producing their first bottle of wine in 1983.
In 1992 Mr. Weis sold the winery to Mr. John Howard who also brought in Mr. Fred DeGasperis of construction fame in the Greater Toronto Area plus Mr. Paul Mazza, a corporate lawyer from Hamilton. Allan Schmidt, our original winemaker was made general manager (president today) and was granted a small stake in the winery. Coming from his native Okanagan Valley, Brian Schmidt became winemaker in 1992. In 2004 John Howard resigned his position as president and sold all of his shares to Mr. Fred DeGasperis and the DeGasperis Family Trust. A number of great Toronto families are part of that trust and are owners to this day.
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