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.
The Three Brothers
In 2006, Henry of Pelham was the first vineyard to be certified as local and sustainable by Local Food Plus. They have followed Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’s world-leading standards in our farming practices since 2004. In 2017, they became one of only six wineries in Ontario to be certified by the Wine Council of Ontario as following sustainable winemaking practices from soil to shelf.
The Coach House Café offers localicious lunches and wine-inspired sharing plates, served on our lovely patio. Enjoy the quaint al fresco atmosphere, drink in the view and savour the tastes of Erik’s carefully crafted menus.
During the 1970s, brother's parents offered free studio space to a number of Canadian painters and sculptors who passed through the Annex area of Toronto, where we lived growing up. They now proudly display their art throughout the winery buildings and offices, including upstairs from the tasting room, and invite visitors to enjoy their work.
Sandrine Boucher
Sandrine Bourcher is the winemaker. She spent her youth in Northern France where she visited her aunt and uncle’s vineyard and helped with the harvest. After high school, she studied biology and chemistry, which laid the foundation for her winemaking career. After studying winemaking in Toulouse and working a harvest at La Cave de Tecou in the Gaillac appellation in 1992, she moved to Canada on July 12, 1993. She first met Paul, Matthew and Daniel Speck in January 1994 when she was working as winemaker at Stonechurch. Sandrine joined Henry of Pelham as assistant winemaker in 1997 and has been the winemaker since July 2013.
Henry of Pelham 2016 Riesling Estate: Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines
A fine example of an off-dry Riesling. Pale straw colour with a nose of honeyed grapefruit and lime; light to medium-bodied, with guava and citrus fruit flavours that linger long on the palate.
Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc De Blanc 2012, Traditional Method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment took home a Platinum award at the Canadian Nations.
Henry of Pelham has a partnership in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada. Big Brothers Big Sisters facilitates life-changing relationships that inspire and empower children and youth to reach their potential, both as individuals and citizens.
“I believe mentoring young people is one of the best ways to help them enjoy a meaningful, productive, and full life”
Paul Speck, President