Fred Couch, Ontario Wine Society – Niagara Chapter

Featured Winery – Fielding Estate Winery

What makes a winery a great place to visit? Is it….

•  location?
•  the management team?
•  the winemakers?
•  award-winning wines?
•  friendly and knowledgeable staff?
•  all of the above?

In the case of Fielding Estate Winery it is definitely (f) all of the above. The winery, which opened in May of 2005, is owned by Marg and Ken Fielding. The family spent most of their lives in the Haliburton Highlands but their dream was growing a fine vineyard and opening up a winery. This dream led them to a unique area of Ontario – the Beamsville Bench. The Beamsville Bench is a tiny sub appellation in the Niagara region, fast becoming recognized as one of the best wine regions in Ontario . The longer growing season allows the grapes to become riper than in other Ontario mesoclimates, and the cooler nights contribute to more intense flavours.

Heidi and Curtis Fielding

Marg and Ken's son, Curtis and daughter-in-law, Heidi, manage the winery. As General Manager, Curtis oversees the day-to-day operations of the winery, while Heidi manages the hospitality side of things. Together, with winemaker, Ritchie Roberts and assistant winemaker, Kristen Banders , FEW is producing award-winning wines. Just recently, Fielding was awarded a Gold for the 2007 Viognier at the 2009 Ontario Wine Awards, a Gold for the 2007 Meritage and Silver for the 2007 Merlot, the 2007 Syrah and the 2008 Pinot Gris at the 2009 Canadian Wine Awards. At the InterVin International Competition, Fielding received Silver for the 2007 Syrah, the 2007 Cabernet Syrah and the 2008 White Conception. The winery also earned #10 spot on the Best Wineries in Canada list at the Canadian Wine Awards.

Winemaker, Ritchie Roberts

 

A visit to Fielding Estate Winery is always a great experience, with courteous, friendly and knowledgeable staff, pleasant surroundings and very good wines. The employees in the tasting room/retail shop always greet the customers with a friendly smile. If you join the Friends of FEW wine club, 2 bottles of wine will be delivered to your door every two months. Membership gives you a lot of additional benefits such as free tastings for you and your guest, special events throughout the year, and notes, with matching recipes with your shipment.

The Haliburton-inspired cedar, stone and glass “Wine Lodge” welcomes visitors year-round to take in the breathtaking view and enjoy a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the vineyard and Lake Ontario .

 

The Wine Lodge

 

The winery is located at 4020 Locust Lane , Beamsville , Ontario . The tasting room and retail shop is open 7 days a week from 10:30 am – 6:00 pm (May to October) and from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm (November to April). For more information go to their website at www.fieldingwines.com .

 

Photographs by © F.G. Couch

 

Previous Articles


~ Aug 15th 2009

~  Aug 1 2009

~ Sept 2009

~ Calamus Estate Winery

~ Oct 09 Grape King

~ Nov 09

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