Wineries to Watch in 2017

 

2018 coming soon

 

These are the wineries I feel will leave their mark on Canada's wine future in 2017. They are listed in random order.

Monte Creek Ranch Winery 2420 Miner’s Bluff Road Monte Creek, BC  Monte Creek is planning a major role in putting the South Thompson Valley on the world wine map. Located just ten minutes outside of Kamloops. The winery is owned by the Sidhu family. The winemaker is Galan Barnhardt. Within the sweeping 1,200-acre ranch sits 44 acres of planted vineyards on either side of the Thompson River. Key varieties grown in Monte Creek’s two vineyards include five Minnesota hybrids: Frontenac Blanc, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Noir, Le Crescent and Marquette.  These are not the varieties associated with BC. In 2015 striking new winery was opened complete with a bell tower and a restaurant. It is not just a winery. It is a full-blown agricultural business. Monte Creek produces its own honey. It makes jam from a plot of haskap berries and beef jerky from it herd of grass-fed Black Angus. It also sells beef to one Kamloops butcher shop and to Thompson Rivers University.

Eau Vivre Winery 716 Lowe Dr. Cawston, BC V0X 1C2 Located in Cawston, BC, in the heart of the Similkameen Valley, Eau Vivre is a family run boutique winery owned and operated by Dale Wright and Jeraldine Estin.  They established the winery in 2007.   They have won two Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines, for their signature wine, their beautiful Pinot Noir. In addition to being the co-owner with partner Jeri Estin, Dale is also the winemaker. You have to keep your eyes on this winery, as the wines are exceptional.

Bordertown Vineyard and Winery 9140 92nd Avenue, Osoyoos, BC This young winery has exploded . Right from day one their wines have been very good. Mohan Gill opened his winery in May of 2015 the culmination of a lifetime dream. Mohan and his family built their reputation as growers. They received the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia for 2013 Living Desert Red Jason Parkes is the winemaker. Consulting winemaker is Daniel Bontorin. Combine these winemakers and the grapes grown by Mohan makes this one of the Key wineries to watch in 2017.

Kismet Estate Winery 9580, Road 20 Oliver, BC Kismet means destiny. Their Destiny will be Outstanding wine production. That is what I predict for them in 2017 Just look at their list of wines all accompanied by the world sold out. Kismet Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines in 2016.

8th Generation Vineyards 6807 Highway 97 Summerland, BC V0H1Z9 With a passion for winemaking Bernd and Stefanie Schales came to Canada. The Schales family started in the grape business in 1783 in Germany, Bernd and Stefanie Schales are the 8th generation to work with grapes In 2003, Bernd and Stefanie Schalesthey bought an established 10-acre Okanagan Falls vineyard with a breathtaking view of Vaseux Lake. Subsequent purchases enabled them to increase their vineyards to 25 acres, including the Summerland vineyard and one on Naramata Bench.  Recently wine author John Schreiner gave 13 of their wines scores of 90 or better Watch for more fine wines in 2017

Little Engine 851 Naramata Road Penticton, B.C. V2A 8V1 The winery owned by Steve and Nicole French opens in 2016. Their motto is Dreams don’t come true, dreams are made true and so began the journey. Why Little Engine…. because each and everyone one of us has a Little Engine Story; relating to the fable the Little Engine That Could. The winery recently received a score of 93 points on their Gold Chardonnay from acclaimed Canadian Wine writer John Schreiner. At the All Canadian Wine awards they received a gold fortheir 2104 Merlot, a silver for the Sauvignon Blanc and a Silver for their Gold level Chardonnay.

Deep Roots 884 Tillar Rd. Naramata BC. V0H1N1 This is one of a those (and there are few of them) wineries that opens with a Bang! Impressing everyone with their wines from day1. Winemaker: Will Hardman 2015 Pinot Gris Gold - All Canadian Wine Championships . 2015 Chardonnay-Double Gold - All Canadian Wine Championships and on it goes Watch out here comes Deep Roots

Meyer Family 4287 McLean Creek Rd Okanagan Falls British Columbia V0H 1R1 Producing wines in traditional French burgundy style, their focus is on small case lots of varietals best suited and expressive of their unique place of origin with an emphasis on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Jak Meyer and Janice Stevens-Meyer purchased a small 1.62 HECTARE vineyard on the Naramata bench. In late 2008 we purchased a 6.9 HECTARE property in Okanagan Falls.  One key to success was hiring winemaker Chris Carson. They have far too many awards and accolades to mention here. Meyer Micro-Cuvée Pinot Noir 2014 96

St Hubertus & Oak Bay Family Estate Winery 5225 Lakeshore Rd., V1W 4J1, Kelowna B.C., Canada In 1984 Leo Gebert, originally from Switzerland, came to the Okanagan to start a winery. Two years later his younger brother Andy joined him. Since 1984 the Gebert Family has used sustainable farming practices on their 76 acre vineyard to produce wines that reflects the terroir of the north Okanagan Valley. Awarded The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines in 2016 St Hubertus Riesling is always among the top awarded wines in Canada.

Cedar Creek 5445 Lakeshore Road Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada V1W 4S5 CedarCreek is a destination winery that draws thousands of visitors each summer. CedarCreek excels in providing the most intimate of wine-country experiences. Its hospitality ranges from tours and tastings, fine dining to musical entertainment.  CedarCreek was Named Canada's Best at Top World Wine Awards in London, England, again. They have won more awards than we can list. Adding to winemaker team Alexis Moore, an international star. CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2013 a must try wine

the View #1-2287 Ward Road Kelowna, BC, V1W 4R5 Consistent quality wines year after year. Wines that get good scores but just miss the really big awards. This year look for them to get more notice and recognition They did well with wines at InterVin   International Wine Awards 2016. Their Well Heeled is a fortified “Sticky” made from a blend of Riesling and Gewürztraminer won a double Gold Kelowna Chamber of Commerce 2013 Business Excellence Award for Tourism & Hospitality. One to Watch for. Read More

Phantom. Okanagan Few new wineries in the Okanagan excite as much anticipation as Phantom Creek Estates. It has acquired one of the Okanagan's best vineyards. Owner Mr. Bai purchased the 60-acre Sundial Vineyard. The winemaking team is impressive. Consulting winemakers are Anne Vawter (right) and her husband, Cameron. Ross Wise is the full time winemaker. However we may not see their wines for couple of years. Building plans are in the works for Black Sage Road and a Sparkling wine facility in Richmond

Nk'Mip  The first Aboriginal-owned winery in North America with a proud history of producing amazing wines. They are the 2016 InterVin Winery of the year. Their 2015 NK'MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT RIESLING ICEWINE considered one of the best all time. Accolades just go on and on. Senior winemaker Randy Picton has been with the winery since day one and has done an amazing job of producing quality wines year after year. read more

Fitizpatrick Family Estate 697 Highway 97 Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 Fitzpatrick Vineyards is owned and operated by the Fitzpatrick Family founders of Cedar Creek in Kelowna. This farm winery sits below the highway upon lake side property. The veranda has an amazing view of lush vineyard, mountains and the sparkling Lake Okanagan. Fitzpatrick Vineyards is a boutique winery specializing in sparkling wines. The new 7,500 case boutique winery will specialize in Sparkling Wine but will also produce Chardonnay, Ehrenfelser, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Rosé, Pinot Noir and Meritage. They made Cedar Creek one of the best watch them in Summerland!

Checkmate Artisanal Winery 4799 Wild Rose Street Oliver BC Anthony von Mandl owner of Mission Hills Winery bought the winery and vineyards of Antelope Ridge ( Original name was Domaine Combret ) because of its success with Chardonnay. Antelope Ridge was the supplier for Mission Hills award winning Chardonnay. It is now called Checkmate Philip McGahan, a young Australian is CheckMate’s winemaker and general manager The wines are receiving world wide acclaim in London Steven Spurrier compared their “Next World” wines with those of Batard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru AOC sites in Burgundy. All four of their 2013 Merlots have received critical acclaim from John Schreiner with scores of 95+ points, including 96 points for the Opening Gambit Merlot.

Wild Goose Vineyards 2145 Sun Valley Way Okanagan Falls, B.C. It all began in early 1983 when founder Adolf Kruger purchased a barren piece of land east of Okanagan Falls. Upon his return to his newly purchased property he discovered a large flock of Canada geese feeding amongst the tumbleweeds, boulders, and rubble.  As he approached, the flock of geese took flight and flew to the north.  This vision inspired Adolf to call the property Wild Goose Vineyards. Since they they have produced wines of extremely high quality each and every year. Wines made from thirty-year old Riesling vines are winning big for Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery. Expect more in 2017 including Reds.

 

Ontario

The Hare Wine Co 769 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario The Hare, fittingly a symbol of fertility and good fortune, offers one of Niagara's newest winery experiences, celebrating the region’s historical bounty. Award-winning winemaker Aleksandar Kolundzic uses his expertise, creativity and passion to craft our unique and expressive wine blends. 2013 Jack Rabbit Red has been selected as the official red wine of the Ontario Legislature for 2017. I have feeling the wines will make this a winery to watch in 2017.

Red Stone 4245 King Street Beamsville ON Another project of Tawse Estate owner Moray Tawse. The name come from deep red clay soil of the property. If Red Stone can produce the same quality wines as Tawse Estate nothing will stop them. The 38-acre estate vineyard, farmed organically and biodynamically, is perfect for maturing late-ripening varietals including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. There is also Pinot Gris on the property.  Rene Van Ede has assumed the primary winemaking duties at Redstone, with guidance from acclaimed winemaker Paul Pender been the consultant.

Kacaba Vineyard Winery 3550 King St. Vineland, On, L0R 2C0 Located on the Niagara Escarpment Bench in Vineland, Ontario. Michael Kacaba was able to purchase the property in 1997 The history of the winery has been startling having consistently gone on to win a substantial number of prestigious awards.  Under construction is a new barrel cellar is underground. Event space and patio. Offices and staff room/ kitchen / staff quarters. Eventually they will expand the retail tasting room and parking lot. Kacaba Vineyards 2007 Meritage was among the wines presented in 2012 with the award by the Lieutenant Governor for Excellence.

Tawse Winery 3955 Cherry Avenue, PO Box 822 Vineland, Ontario L0R 2C0 Situated on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, Tawse is a family-owned organic and biodynamic winery, Four times it has been named Winery of the Year. Making it impossible not to list them again and again on this page. Founder Moray Tawse purchased 6 acres on the Cherry Avenue property in 2001. In 2005, he opened his state-of-the-art winery, complete with a six-level, gravity-flow design, geo-thermal system and a wetland bio-filter. The inspiration for his first Niagara property came from his love of Burgundian Paul Pender is  Director of Viticulture and Winemaking for the winery. Rene Van Ede is the Winemaker.

Henry of Pelham 1469 Pelham Rd., R.R. #1 St. Catharines, ON Canada L2R 6P7 Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery was established with their first vintage in 1988. It quickly established its self among the elite wineries of Ontario In 1993 founder Paul Speck passed away after a long illness, leaving all remaining operations in the hands of his three young sons. Matthew, Daniel and Paul. have expanded the family’s holdings to a total of 300 acres of forest and vineyard land, all in the premium Short Hills Bench.  The quality of wines produced in recent years has been exceptional. Watch as they reestablish themselves as a leader in Ontario quality wines. Its not because they haven't been but recent introduction of new wineries has over shadowed them. .

Konzelmann Estate Winery  1096 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1P0 Konzelmann is Niagara’s only lake front winery, located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Herbert Konzelmann is a fourth generation wine-maker and the first in the family to leave Germany in search of the next perfect spot to grow grapes. He came to Ontario in 1984. They quickly devloped into one of Ontario's leading winery. In 2016 they received numerous awards and accolades for their wines The 2013 Shiraz won Gold and best value at Intervin. They totalled five medals at Intervin They produce some exciting Late Harvest wines. They will be a winery to watch in 2017

Coyote's Run Estate Winery  Concession 5 Rd. St. David's, ON, L0S1P0 Coyote's winemaker David Sheppard started making wines in 1980 in Germany. He moved to Canada; working for a winery named Inniskillin Wines. After 21 years there, he made the big jump to help found Coyote's Run, a smaller winery that allows him to fully exercise his wine-making talents. The winery features two vineyards. The distinctively red Trafalgar clay loam of the Red Paw Vineyard,a rather scarce in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region. The heavier, dark Toledo clay loam of the Black Paw Vineyard is more common in Niagara-on-the-Lake At the International Pinot Challenge the 2010 Rare Vintage Pinot Noir and 2011 Pinot Noir both won Gold. 2017 is going to be a good year for Coyote's Run

Trail Estate Winery 416 Benway Road, Hillier, Ontario Anton and Hildegard Sproll embarked on the journey of owning a vineyard in 2011 when they fell in love with the 14 acre property situated where Benway Road intersects the Millennium Trail in Prince Edward County. Combining passion with hard work and dedication of winemaker and grape grower, Mackenzie Brisbois success has come. Uncorked Ontario: ". One wine that stood out for me that night embraced both PEC and Niagara fruit. It was the 2014 Trail Estate Gamay Noir "

 

Quebec

Vignoble le Cep d' Argent 1257, chemin de la Rivière Magog, Quebec   Thirty years of dedicated work from the Scieur brothers have enabled their vineyards, one of the first in the Eastern Townships, to become a figurehead of the region. Their Sparking names are highly regarded in Quebec. Both sixth-generation champagne makers, brothers François and Jean-Paul Scieur have studied and researched local winemaking methods to create three exceptional sparkling wines  The winery offers panoramic of Orford Mountain and Lake Magog

Cassis monna & Filles 1225 Chemin Royal Saint-Pierre, Quebec   Located at the entrance of Île d'Orléans, 15 minutes from downtown Quebec City. A native of Southern France and fourth-generation liquoriste, Bernard Monna is the first to produce black currant wines and Crème de Cassis in Québec. Bernard Monna has passing down his knowledge to his two daughters, Catherine and Anne The sisters now lead the business, and are expanded it to reflect their creativity. 15 years ago, they successfully launched the charming La Monnaguette restaurant and terrasse. Crème de Cassis won Silver at International Wine & Spirit Competition, Angleterre, 2016 At the International Spirits Award, they were Fruit Liquor of the Year.

 

Maritime

Gaspeareau Vineyards Lt 2239 White Rock Road Gaspereau, NS B4P 2R1 Gaspereau Vineyards is nestled in the beautiful Gaspereau Valley, just 3 km from downtown Wolfville. With 35 acres of south-facing vineyards, a helpful and knowledgeable staff, a complimentary tasting bar and daily tours The winery is owned by Carl and Donna Sparkes founders of Devonian Coast Wineries Best known for their outstanding Rieslings winning Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence,Gov 2016 and 2015. Gina Haverstock, born in Nova Scotia, is a very good winemaker. Expect even more from Gaspeareau Vineyards Lt 2017

Avondale Sky Winery 80 Avondale Cross Road RR #2 Newport Landing NS B0N 2A0 Stewart Creaser and Lorraine Vassalo wow what you have achieved in such a short time Winery of the Year,  Atlantic Canadian Wine Awards 2015 & 2016 Recipient of a Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence in Nova Scotia Wine 2014 & 2016  an extensive range of wines that have already brought an exciting new profile to the local region…A fine accomplishment.” – Sean Wood, Chronicle Herald The winemaker is Ben Swetnam, who graduated from the Niagara College Winery and Viticulture Program.

Benjamin Bridge 1842 White Rock Road, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia The Benjamin Bridge vineyards are located in the heart of the Gaspereau Valley on the Bay of Fundy, where the cool climate bears an uncanny affinity with the Champagne region of France.  As a winery that continues to have world wide acclaim for their sparking you have to watch to see what they can inspire to in 2017. "Benjamin Bridge winery produces wines that critics can’t stop raving about."  Stephanie Johns, The Coast

 

 

Cider

Twisted Hills Craft Cider 2080 Ritchie Dr. Cawston BC Established in 2012 in Cawston, the heart of Similkameen Wine Country, Twisted Hills Craft Cider is the first and only stand alone cidery in the Similkameen Valley. Kaylan Maderia is the owner and cider master at this new Similkameen Cidery. Her husband Jo Schneider, a fifth generation Cawston grower,  learned about apple production while growing up on his parents’ orchard, Heart Achers Farm. To me they provided the best ciders I have tasted in some time. on the Judges’ Choice Award for Best Cider at 2015 & 2016 Okanagan Fest-of-Ale celebration.

West Avenue Cider Company 84 Concession 8 East Hamilton, Ontario Perhaps the most talked about cider company in Ontario. West Avenue was founded by British-born cider maker Chris Haworth. Their cider was awarded 2014 Best Cider in Ontario and has won numerous awards since.

 

we reserve the right to add wineries

Honourable mention

Burning Kiln Winery names Lydia Tomek to Head Winemaker 

Oxley estate Winery - 533 Country Rd. Harrow, Ontario - word has it they make a great Chardonnay.

Stanners Vineyard - 76 Station Road, Hillier, Ontario Winery built with straw bales. Stanners Vineyard 2012 Riesling Silver at OWA

Megalomaniac Winery - 3930 Cherry Avenue, Vineland, ON the popularity of this winery inreasing!

Clos Du Soleil - in the Similkameen Valley try their Signature Red 2013

Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Winner of the 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Award

Quails’ Gate 2014 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay outstanding

Exultet Estates Winner of the 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Award

The Hatch West Kelowna, BC young but producing quality wines

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

Yes we may have missed some great wineries, if you wish to tell us about them we would love to hear from you.

Wineries to Visit 2015 ~ Wineries to Visit 2016 ~ Wineries to Visit 2017

Wineries to Watch 2015 ~ Wineries to Watch 2016

The wineries to watch in 2014

Best Wines of 2014 ~ Best Wines of 2015

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