Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery

Located on a lush rolling hillside farm in the Village of St Davids. There is a rich history to be told about the farm and the buildings of Ravine Estate. The home in which the tasting room and hospitality centre of Ravine Vineyard is located is considered to be one of the top fifty most architecturally significant houses in all of Canada. The winery is housed in a heritage home that dates back to 1815. The building has been painstakingly restored and is set amidst our lush rolling vineyards.

The winery is owned by the Harber family

Winemaker: Peter Gamble

Reif Estate Winery

Reif Estate Winery opened in 1982 with a commitment to combine time-honoured tradition with modern technology. Wines produced at Reif are truly estate bottled. With 135 acres of vineyards, use only their own grapes to produce premium quality wines. A winery known internationally for its icewines . There wines are aged in authentic oak casks in underground barrel cellars When a winery puts that much emphasis in the vineyard, it requires a great deal of skill and expertise. Klaus W. Reif, President of Reif Estate Winery has a degree in viticulture as well as oenology and is sincere in his belief that fine wines can only be made from excellent ingredients.

At the 7th International Wine Competition in Verona, Italy, Reif Estate Winery won the prestigious Vinitaly 1999 Special Award for the highest scoring winery of Canada. This award can only be received providing that at least 3 of the wineries wine entries have reached the minimum score of 80 out of 100 and that its country of origin has contributed at least 20 contestants to the competition.

Winemaker: Roberto D. DiDomenico
Philosophy: Klaus Reif's philosophy that 'Great wines start in the vineyard' is the corner stone of the quality and integrity of Reif Wines. This belief partnered with a commitment to produce predominantly estate bottled wines from our 125 acre vineyard has provided our winemaker Roberto DiDomenico with the tools to produce world renowned wines.

Klaus and Roberto also believe that over time a vineyard will express its 'Terroir', loosely translated as 'a sense of place'. Many agree that as a vineyard matures it's personality or characteristics of climate and soils will be expressed in the wines over time. We believe Reif's terroir is best expressed by the wines produced in the First Growth Collection which are produced from our oldest vineyard blocks.

Ridge Road

A small family winery perched on the rocky edge of the Niagara Escarpment's upper bench. They produce Bacco Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling , unoaked Chardonnay and Vidal along with blends.

Winemaker:
Philosophy:

Ridgepoint Wines

Set high on the escarpment at the top of Cherry Avenue just west of Vineland owner Mauro Scarsellone has a passion for 1cewine and premium reds. He purchased his first vineyard, eight hectares, in 1995 and produced his first vintage in 2001. His first red was Nebbiolo and his icewine Vidal

Ridgepoint Wines is also responsible for the first commercial bottling of Nebbiolo Scarsellones at Ridgepoint dining room is now open featuring light and casual dining

Winemaker:Arthur Harder
Philosophy:Our Nebbiolo is unique among the wines of Ontario. We also produce premium and ultrapremium VQA Ontario wines from estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot grapes.

Riverview Estate Winery

A family owned ( Sam and Lina Pillitteri ) winery located on the Niagara Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The family has farmed here since the 70's operating a fruit market. Grapes Gewürztraminer were first planed in 1992 The farm was slowly converted into a full-scale winery. A small crush during the 1998 harvest resulted in about 50 cases of wineand was released l September of 2000. In the early days they operated as a Farm-Winery, however, in 2004 they received their Estate-Winery license. Current output ranges annually from between 5,000-8,000 cases annually pending weather.

The fountain logo symbolizes life and purity of spring water. Specializing in premium VQA wines and icewine, producing high quality Vidal Icewine. Their wine shop also doubles as a country market featuring local produce.

Signature wines are Bianco which is a suss-reserve white wine (often a blend of Riesling and Gewurztraminer), and "Rosso" a rich, fruity red wine (a blend of Cabernet Franc/Merlot).

Winemakers: Angela Kasimos
Philosophy: We remain committed to crafting distinguished wines with an honest sense of place.  We believe that when you truly respect the vineyard, your wine sincerely reflects the land.

Rockway Glen Golf Course and Winery

In "Le musèe du vin", winemaking is brought to life. On location at Rockway Glen Golf Course and Estate Winery resides Canada's only wine museum*. It has been designed as an authentic cav a vin housing antiques from the vineyards of France. The wine cellar and museum display accoutrements hail from the wine making regions of Alsace, Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux. Tours of the museum can be arranged by contacting the office and include wine tastings to complement your journey "from the vineyard to the cellar".

Winemaker: Stacie Domio

Rosewood Estate Winery and Meadery

Renata and Eugene Roman purchased 40 acres of land in 2000 on the the Beamsville Bench. Their goal was to start a small-batch artisanal winery and meadery. As they love roses and have wonderful woods on the property the winery was named Rosewood.

The main Renaceau Vineyard, on Mountainview Rd has been planted with vinefera grapes starting in the year 2003. These grapes are: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Semillon. Spring of 2008 will mark the first release of the 2006 wines to the public. They are currently working on opening the new Haut Roche Vineyard in Jordan.

Rosewood is Niagara 's first meadery and produce 3 styles of mead. Eugene is a lifelong beekeeper who produces the honey used in meadmaking. The Roman family have been beekeepers for 70 years.

Signature wines: Reserve Merlot – produced using Natural Fermentation, Semillon Savignon Blanc and Grande Reserve Ambrosia - a honey wine.

Winemakers: Natalie Spytkowsky
Philosophy: We practice small batch cool fermentation for our white wines. We whole berry ferment reds and use a Euroselect destemmer to help make this happen.

Royal DeMaria Winery

Home to one of Canada's most unique wineries.

In 1991 Hairdresser Joseph DeMaria first tried icewine from the Niagara Region. Taking a keen interest in an up and coming industry Joseph applied for and received the winery licence for Royal DeMaria Wines ‘Canada's Icewine Specialists' TM in 1994. In December 1996 Joseph purchased his 25 acre property which is nestled between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario in scenic Vineland , Ontario .

In 1998 Joseph DeMaria, having no previous winemaking experience, made his first icewine from a 5000L surplus of Vidal icewine juice. Midway through the process Joseph made a major error in what he understood to be the process of making icewine . Without letting this error set him back Joseph continued working with the icewine and through his blind correction of the error fell upon a wine making technique. The 1998 Vidal Icewine had all the varietal characteristics of a fine wine, the traditional sweetness of an icewine yet did not have the rich, cloying texture within the finish. This first icewine went on to win 5 international awards and the ‘error' has become the wine making technique that Winemaker Joseph DeMaria has used successfully ever since.

Since the first vintage in 1998, winemaker Joseph DeMaria has left his mark internationally as creating the only winery to specialize exclusively in the production of icewine and has produced 24 different varietals of icewine both red and white including a world's first: Royal DeMaria 2002 Meritage Icewine and the world's most expensive icewine : Royal DeMaria 2000 Chardonnay Icewine .

Royal DeMaria icewines are so well known and highly valued that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth requested 6 bottles during her Jubilee Visit to Canada in 2002, and Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group visited the winery in September 2003.

Specializing exclusively in icewine, Royal DeMaria has received over 271 medals within 8 vintages and 81 golds from the worlds most prestigious wine international wine competitions including 8 world record setting wins, namely, 5 gold trophies from the coveted Citadelles du Vin, VinExpo, Bordeaux, France, and 5 gold medals from the world's largest wine competition Concours Mondial, Brussels, Belgium

Winemaker: Joseph DeMaria

SouthBrook Winery

581 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

Passionate about good food and fine wine, Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier decided a winery would be a perfect addition to their successful market garden and farm. So they converted their 100 year old barn into a winery.
Together with winemaker Derek Barnett they developed wines to complete with the worlds best. Originally located in Maples north of Toronto, Southbrook began producing wine in 1992. Their Framboise wines have captured the world and can be found at Harrods in England Southbrook Chardonnay 1994 was served when Canada's Prime Minister hosted Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, June 28 1997.

Southbrook recently opened a new winery at Niagara-on-the-Lake. On this 74-acre property, Southbrook Winery plans to have a total of 61 acres of vineyard planted by the end of 2007.

Winemaker: Ann Sperling
Philosophy: "winemaking is an art, allowing the flavour inherent in the grapes to express themselves to the fullest"

Stonechurch Winery

Another success story in Canadian wines located at Niagara-on the-Lake. The Hunse family began growing grapes in 1972, opening their winery in 1990. Stonechurch Vineyards was born out of a belief that good wine and good friends make a perfect pairing. A popular stop for bike tours. The winery is managed by Hank Hunse

The winery is open year round with self guided vineyard tours. Their bottle design and labeling is extremely well done.

A few years back the community was building a church of stone, construction was halted due to lack of funds. The landowner at that time mortgaged his land to pay for the building thus the name Stonechurch.

Winemaking Philosophy: We grow quality grapes and use modern technology to make superb wines which reflect their varietal character.

Stoney Ridge Estate Winery

3201 King St.
Vineland, ON L0R 2C0

The winery was founded by Jim Warren in 1985, who held the position of President and Winemaker until 1999 The original location of the winery was on Ridge Road in Stoney. Stoney Ridge moved to its present location in Vineland , Ontario in 1995. The location was chosen based on its position on the Wine Route, the availability of land for planting Pinot Noir grapes (the McGrade Vineyard, named after the original owner of the property), and the general availability of the property. The current owner is Mr. Mark S. Bonham .

The winery began small, producing only 500 cases four years later the winery was producing 4,000 cases and has continued to grow. Producing award wining wines developing a reputation for having unique and exotic wines that all possessed the inimitable style that was a signature of winemaker Jim Warren.

The Stoney Ridge philosophy is that wine should not be considered as an accompaniment to a meal but rather an integral part of a fine meal

Chief Winemaker: Gord Robert
Founding Winemaker: Jim Warren
Philosophy: Every winery is dependant on two key factors that contribute to its success. Firstly, the grapes used must be of the highest quality, produced from vineyards that have a terroir that reflects the unique character of the Niagara Peninsula , and thus provide a window through which to experience the soil and climate of the region. The next crucial element lies in the skills of the vintner, who through their experience, innovation and natural talent, can deliver the juice that becomes a wine which captures the essence of the region, while exhibiting the classic characteristics that have made the grape variety famous for centuries.

The Challenge International du Vin the biggest French International Wines competition and one of the most famous wine events awarded a silver medal to Stoney Ridge for their igluu Late Harvest Vidal 99

Stratus Vineyards

The Stratus vineyard is a mature fifty-three acre estate moderated by the effects of two bodies of water: the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Benefiting from a unique mesoclimate, the vineyard ranks among the warmest sites in Niagara Their vineyard is planted partially with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The vineyard's main varities will be clones of Bordeau and Rhone

Canada's Stratus Vineyards is the world's first winery to be given the coveted LEED green certification. To qualify for the LEED, Stratus set up features and practices such as composting all plant waste materials, herbicide-free vineyards, energy-efficient electrical and plumbing systems, and toxin-free waste-management systems. Stratus also uses a hybrid, gas-electric vehicle for winery deliveries. The winery was also designed for making wine using the gravity-flow method.

The winery's main building is heated using a geothermal source more than 200 feet below ground. This added considerably to building costs but it is expected to produce significant savings over the coming years

Winemaker: J-L Groux

Philosophy: We believe that memorable wines are produced by paying scrupulous attention to the land, to the vineyard. There is minimal handling of both the grapes and the wine at every stage—minimal handling with maximum patience. The art of assemblage is the quintessence of winemaking. Assemblage refers to the crafting of several grape varieties to create layered wines of complexity, wines that are a true expression of the vineyard's terroir.

Strewn Estate Winery

Strewn Winery has restored a 1930's former fruit cannery into a world renowned winery having won over 40 medals and awards in its short history. Winemaker Joe Wills hails from Alberta, he worked in the BC Okanagan learning his craft then studied at Australia's Roseworthy College. The winery offers a wide range of wines and numerous tourist events.

The scenic property is also home to the Wine Country Cooking School and Restaurant featuring wine country cuisine.

Winemaker: Joe Wills
Philosophy: We're committed to making premium VQA wines from grapes grown in the Niagara peninsula.

Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

3210 Staff Ave
Jordan, Ontario

Newly opened late summer of 2009 by renowned winemaker Ann-Staff The location was chosen for her over 200 years ago when Robert Staff moved here from Lincolnshire England in the late 1700’s.  The Staff family has farmed this land for over 200 years while growing grapes for over 100 years.  In fact, the original vineyard planted on the property is still in production today.

The vineyard is on the Mile Bench 30 acres planted with more to come in the future.  Producing right now is Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Franc and Baco Noir.  The immediate future has Viognier and Vidal added with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to come.

  The winery is soley owned by Sue-Ann Staff who comes from a 5 generations of grape grower turned winemaker.  Her formal winemaking training is from the University of Adelaide, South Australia wineries in Australia After making wine for 10 years for the Pillitteri family and 2 years for the original management of 20 Bees (Niagara-on-the-Lake),Sue ~ Ann decided to start a winery here on the family estate.  Every generation of our family has wanted a winery - I have been the stubborn one to do it! Her nick name within the wine industry is “Ice Queen” – for all the award winning Icewines

The winery hopes to produce 6000 cases with in five years and begin goble exporting.

Signature Wines 2009 Robert’s Block Riesling, 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2008 Cabernet Franc Icewine

Winemaker: Sue-Ann Staff
Philosophy : My winemaking philosophy is to vinify the most expressive wines possible from the grapes produced on our own vineyard.  I believe that our small part of the globe is a stunning place to grow grapes that produce wines that truly reflect the terrior in which it is grown.  All wines will originate from grapes grown on our estate.  If it becomes necessary to purchase grapes, I will attempt to acquire them from vineyards as close as possible to ensure I am expressing the terrior of our location.

Sunnybrook Fruit Winery

1425 Lakeshore Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery is Canada's first fruit winery, specializing in wines made from 100% Niagara Peninsula grown tree fruit and berries The winery is owned by Gerald and Vivien Goertz who purchased the farm in 1976. A small brook runs through the property. The farm initially consisted of 35 acres of peaches, cherries, plums, pears, and apples along the southern shore of Lake Ontario at Four Mile Creek on what was once a large river delta. The deep sandy loam soil and the temperature moderating effect of the Niagara Escarpment is ideal for growing the over 20 varieties of peaches produced on the farm.

The winery was established in 1993. Gerald had been making wine, as an amateur, from tree fruit and berries and so it was logical that he make wine made from the fruit that he knows.

Their best selling wines are Peach, Bosc Pear, Spiced Apple, Ironwood Hard Cider, and Chocolate Embrace.
Wines may only be purchased at the farm. They produce 3,500 cases a year

Winemaker: Gerald Goertz
Winemaking Philosophy: To make wine that reflects the true nature of the fruit that it is made from.

Tawse Winery

3955 Cherry Drive
Vineland, ON, L0R 2C0

Located on the lower slopes of the Vineland Double Bench, Tawse Winery opened its doors in the spring of 2005. Blessed with a hillside terrain, our winery features a unique six-level, gravity-fed processing system. The winery is named after the owner Moray Tawse.

The first vintage was in 2001 when Deborah Paskus had the foresight to bring a sorting table to use on the fruit. Who knew at the time but it was the first year of the lady beetles and the sorting table not only eliminated the unripe and bad bunches but  it also eliminated the the ladybeetles. Deborah has moved on and Pascal Marchand a Canadian who spent twenty years
working for a winery in France is now the head winemaker. He bring a strong knowedge of organic and biodynamic winemaking skills.

Winemaker: Pascal Marchand, Paul Pender

Winemaking Philosophy: Using traditional artisanal techniques, combined with our state-of-the-art technology and natural geo-thermal energy, we carefully and skillfully process our fruit to bring out its individual characteristics. We take pride in the fact that our wines are handcrafted and limited in production .

Much of this fruit comes from old-growth, low-yield vines, giving the wines great depth, richness and character. The primary focus is Chardonnay, they also vinify small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Riesling.

The Foreign Affair Winery

4890 Victoria Ave. North
Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0

After experiencing life in Italy Len Crispino, his wife Marisa, and their daughter Stefanie decided to start a winery
In 2000, with the kind encouragement of a dear friend, John Howard, they acquired some prime farmland in the Vineland area of the Niagara Peninsula. Then  they sourced and planted 40 acres of Amarone-inspired vines. After three years of carefully nurturing the vines, the first crop was harvested in 2004. In the time-held tradition of Amarone, they delicately dry our grape stock in a barn until each of the varietals were perfect for winemaking.

Phil Clarke of Glenn Elgin Vineyard Management is the Consultant Viticulturalist.

Winemaker:  Len Crispino Consulting Winemaker Andrzej Lipinski

The Ice House

PO Box 164
Queenston, ON L0S 1L0

Located on the Niagara Peninsula near Queenston. Jamie Macfarlane, co-owner and winemaker had a vision to have a winery that specialized in icewine because he believed that this is the wine that Canada does best. He came up with the name long before he found the old run down peach barn that he and his team transformed to become The Ice House Winery. Co-owners along with Jamie are Doug Macfarlane, Danny Mines and Karen King.

This winery specializes in producing icewine.The Ice House Winery's 2005 Vidal Icewine, Northern Ice, was awarded the highest honour accorded wine – Grand Gold. at the 2007 Monde Selection in Brussels. Their sucess continued adding two more Grand Gold

Signature wines: 2005 Grand Gold Monde Selection Winner VidalBlanc Icewine, 2006Grand Gold Monde Selection Winner Vidal Blanc Icewine, 2006Grand Gold Monde Selection Winner Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine, 2006 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc

Winemaker: Jamie MacFarlane
Philosophy: To produce the highest quality Icewine, Northern Ice . There is magic and romance about wine, says Jamie, as people come together around wine and food to enjoy each other's company. Over the years I've often been asked, 'What is the best wine you've ever tasted?' And, my answer is, 'The best wine is always about where I am and who I'm with.' The wine business, and certainly our love of this business is about celebrating and truly enjoying those moments of toasting life. Northern Iceis Canada's toast to the land."

Thirty Bench Winery

PO Box 1172
4281 Mountainview Road
Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0

Located on the Niagara Peninsula near Thirty Mile Creek this winery began as a partnership in the late 1970's to grow grapes. In 1980 it expanded to 39 acres. Under the direction of Tom Muckle and Deborah Paskas their first wine (an icewine) was produced in 1992.

Winemaker: Emma Garner
Philosophy:We want to do our very best and we believe we can do it only if we have complete control of the entire winemaking process.

Thomas & Vaughan Estate Winery

4245 King Street
Beamsville, Ontario L0R 1B1

Closed property for sale

Winemaker: 

Vignoble Rancourt

Family owned cottage winery

Winemaker: consultant Jean Pierre Colas

Vineland Estate Winery

Located on the Niagara Peninsula Vineland is one of Ontario's most picturesque wineries

The winery features a AAA four diamond restaurant under the direction of Executive Chef Jan-Willem Stulp. There is also a B&B cottage so you can spend a night in the Vineyard. Transition and expansion is under way at the winery. All designed to improve the winemaking facilities and provide a better experience for the visitors while on tour.

First Canadian Winery to win the “Grand Vinitaly Top Winery Award” at Vinitaly International Wine Competition in Verona, Italy 2003

Winemaker: Brain Schmidt
Philosophy: Minimalist by nature. Every vintage is a new experience.

Walker Hall Winery

Walker Hall is a beautiful 30 acre estate. The Estate is surrounded by century old oak and maple woodlands including vistas of the golden horseshoe area off their waters edge location. The Estate vineyard though small produces distinctive wines of elegance and power.The once belonged to faithful loyalist Colonel William Walker who built the on-site Manor House in the late 18th century. Today the Manor House and surrounding lands have been preserved for the purposes of history and tourism
The winery is owned by Lukezic Group ltd whoses cheif officer is James Joseph Lukezic

Their Brands include the W line, Manor House,Quintessence Reserve and 10C Icewine

Winemaker Dr. Friderik Vodopivec,Miran Buzinel
Philosophy:Serious winemaking is necessary in ultra premium wine production and Walker Hall Estate believes in a solid mix of seasoned expertise and youthful exuberance

Wayne Gretzky Winery

Located on the in the heart of Beamsville/Vineland the winery is a partnership between
hockey legend Wayne Gretzky (Ontario born) and Peter Jensen of Creekside Estate Wines.

Signature wines? Unoaked Chardonnay, Merlot, Vidal Icewine

Winemake:r Rob Power
Philosophy: Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian icon who exemplifies the authenticity and quality that Canada represents. The wines reflect this quality at an affordable price

13th Street Winery

3983 Thirteenth Street
Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0

At a social event in 1997, the four founding partners decided to build on the extensive grape growing and winemaking talent within the group, and created an enterprise that expressed their common interest in a good bottle of realistically priced wine. With the birth of Thirteenth Street Wine Corp. in 1998, came a new Niagara winery that specialized in small lots of estate grown and hand-crafted table and sparkling wines. Since the first bottle of wine was produced, the winery has been winning the hearts, minds and palates of wine media and consumers alike.

The winery's resounding success through the first 10 years with hand-crafted traditional method sparkling wines, Gamay, Riesling and Chardonnay ensures these will make up the core of the product line into the future with limited releases of other small batch varietal and blended wines such as white and red Meritage, Syrah and Pinot Noir. To that end, significant investments have been made with the purchase of new, state of the art winemaking equipment and new estate vineyards, some of which were planted in the spring of 2008. 13th Street will also open a new production, hospitality and retail facility in the summer of 2009 on 4th Avenue in St. Catharines. Current production is 5000 cases total

New tasting room at 1776 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines

Winemaker: Jean-Pierre Colas
Philosophy: Grow the very best fruit possible on our 60 acres of low-yielding estate vineyards, harvest selectively by hand, sort the fruit comprehensively and vinify the wines traditionally in small batches.We strive to preserve the purity of fruit and regional character in all our wines by handling them gently and we also try to celebrate the unique influences that come with each and every vintage. We want to offer our customers 'best in class" wines that are complex, balanced and enjoyable at a reasonable price.

20 Bees Winery

1067 Niagara Stone Road
Virgil, ON L0S 1T0

The Winery is owned by Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits

Why the name, it reflects the hard work of the grape growers Ontario has been home to generations of the finest grape growers. From one generation to the next, from one family to the next, they nurture their vines, harvest their grapes and help create great tasting, unpretentious wine at an unpretentious price.

Heard the buzz:

-Bees are very hard workers.
-Bees are vital to the bloom stage of fruit growing
-Bees have always been associated with harvest time.

The 20 Bees winery is a 43,000-square-foot facility located on approximately 29 acres of land on Hwy# 55 in the town Niagara –on-the- Lake. This area is often referred to as the Golden Mile and will be a very attractive retail and agri-tourism location. The winery produces a number of Vintners Quality Assurance (VQA) varietal wines

Wines Produced: Vidal, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (oaked and unoaked),
Gewürztraminer, Grower’s White 1L Tetra, Baco Noir, Cabernet Merlot, Merlot, Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grower’s Red 1L Tetra, Late Harvest Vidal, Vidal Icewine &
Cabernet Franc Icewine

 

Winemaker: Tom Green, Jason Roller and Scott McGregor
Philosophy: Making quality wine using only 100% Ontario grapes.

Diamond Estates also owns EastDell Estates, Lakeview Cellars and Birchwood Estates wineries and
Dan Aykroyd Wines