Robert Bell's Wines of Canada - comprehensive list of the wineries and wine regions of Canada

Icewine Producers

Pelee Island Winery Maple Leaf Store China

Known for sweetness and complexity of flavours, this wine is prized by tourists from the US, Europe and Asia. Canada is one of the world's premier producers of icewines. The number one question asked of this website is "where can I buy icewine?"

Just how good is Canadian Icewine? Recently, Royal DeMaria Chardonnay Icewine was sold for $30,000 and that was for a half-litre. Due to the lower yield of grapes and the difficulty of processing, Icewines are more expensive than table wines. The high sugar levels lead to a slower than normal fermentation. They are often sold in half-bottles(375 ml). The average price is $45.00 - $60.00 per bottle.

To learn more about icewine click here

Canada's Best Known Producers of Icewine

Bruce Nicholson, Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser enjoy icewine at Inniskillin's ice ba

~ Inniskillin

Located on the Niagara Peninsula, Inniskillin co-founders Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser played a major role in making Icewine synonymous with Canada. The winery began producing icewine in 1983. In 1991, they won one of the world's most distinguished wine awards: Le Grand Prix d'Honneur Vinexpo, Bordeaux for their 1987 Icewine.

“The immense mouth feel and sensation when savouring them makes them a heavenly memory. It is our soil and climate that allows us to seduce the world with this wine.” Karl Kaiser, Winemaker.

For more on Inniskillin

Klaus Reif

~ Reif Estates

Also located on the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, winemaker Klaus Reif began working with Icewine in the early 1980's. Noted wine critic Robert M. Parker rated their 1987 icewine among the best wines he had ever tasted. The demand for icewines surged and the winery went from producing 1,300 liters to 20,000 in 1998. Reif's Vidal icewine is produced from a 27-year-old vineyard block set aside and netted annually for icewine harvesting.

Among their numerous awards is: Challenge International du Vin Competition, 2001 Gold Medal - 1999 Vidal Icewine VQA, Olympiads du Vin Competition. This elite competition is open to only the gold medal winners at the Challenge International du Vin.

For more on Reif Estates

~ Pillitteri Estates

In 1988, Gary Pillitteri, as an amateur winemaker won a gold medal for his icewine. He opened his winery in 1993 and
currently stands at 600,000 litres. The winery has been honoured with close to 400 medals at both domestic and international competitions. These include the coveted Civart Trophy from the Challenge International du Vin in Bordeaux, France, and a rare Double Gold Medal from the American Wine Society in the United States.

Their flagship wine -Icewine. Pillitteri Estates Winery is Canada's largest estate producer of Icewine, using the Vidal, Riesling and Gewürztraminer varieties to produce Icewine that is exported to more than twelve countries worldwide.

For more on Pilliteri Estates

~ Peller Estates

Part of the Andrés group of wineries, the Peller estates is located just outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Their wines have captured numerous gold medals in competitions around the world. Their 2004 vintage was sensational. In British Columbia, they produce Trinity Icewine Vidal Blanc (62%), Riesling (27%) and Ehrenfelser (11%).

Icewine is a rare gift from a magical Canadian winter. Picked at the coldest moment of a winter's night, each frozen grape creates just one drop of Icewine. One smooth rich, luxurious drop.

For more on Peller Estates

~ Pelee Island Winery

Located on Pelee Island of Lake Erie, Peller Estates is one of Canada's first Icewine producers and were the first to net their vines for Icewine. They made Canada's first red Icewine from Lemberger. Their 2004 Vidal Icewine won Gold at every major competition.

For more on Pelee Island Winery

~ Tinhorn Creek

Located in Oliver, British Columbia and established in 1995, Winemaker Sanadra Oldfield has been producing award winning icewine from Kerner grapes. They produce only a limited volume.

For more on Tinhorn Creek

~ Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Located in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, this organic winery claims to be Canada's most visited. Stephen Cipes began making Riesling Icewine in 1992. At one time, his Pinot Noir Icewine was Canada's most expensive. This winery's Zweigelt Icewine has an even higher price. For more on SummerHill

~ Ziraldo Estate Winery

Although the winery is new (2010) the name is not Donal Ziraldo is co founder of Inniskillin wines. He has returned to produce Reisling Icewine in Niagara on the lake. His current vineyard is the Originl site of Inniskillin.

~ Equifera Estate Winery

is located in the Short Hills sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula—world renown for award winning, Canadian Icewine

Did you know? Riesling and Vidal are the two most common varietals used in making icewine. Others include Cab Franc, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Kerner, and Gamay.

There are wineries in Canada that produce only icewines .

For sales information contact a local wine shop or the wineries. We do sell wines