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Lake Erie North Shore

Just south of the tip of Lake Huron lies Lake St. Clair and the city of Detroit. South of Lake St. Clair between it and Lake Erie lies a strip of land belonging to Ontario. Here is where we find vineyards of the Lake Erie North Shore.



Aleksander Estate Winery

1542 County Road #34
Ruthven, Ontario, NOE 2G0.

Aleksander winery photo fred couch

A family owned winery located on the North Shore of Lake Erie, in Southwestern Ontario. They produce garpe and fruit wines all from their own estate vineyards. Aleksander (Alex) Bemben is the founder. They focus on making small batch, high quality wines that capture and reflect the characteristics of each vintage

Their five acre vineyard is home to five grape varieties including Riesling, Vidal, Cabernet Sauvingnon, Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin

Winemaker: Izabela (Bemben) Muzzin
Philosophy:



Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc

1137 County Road 20 West
Kingsville, ON N8H 1S8
Canada



This fruit winery is located in Essex County on the western edge of Kingsville.  A family owned and operated winery located on the family farm of Jerome and Madeline Rondelez and their three children Jerome, William, and Michelle. There aretwo reasons for the name, the first is the family had a loyal family black dog named Bear ,the farm was named after him and now the winery!  Second bears love berries and they specialize in growing berries on their 83 acre farm such as strawberries, all different kinds of raspberries, black currants, blueberries and more!

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Winemaker:William Rondelez
Philosophy:



Blueberry Hills Estate Winery

1195 Front Road
St Williams, Ontario
NOE 1P0.

NA

A family (Vranckx family) owned fruit winery . Thier wines are called Canada Blue Wines and Sprits

corperate Symbol is the Inukshuk Inukshuk are stone monuments erected in the image of man. They are traditional inuit landmarks created in Canada's Artic where there are no trees and few distingushing land features to help guide travelers. This symbol say's "I have been here before and you are on the right path!
The stones of an Inukshuk are secured through balance as is the human spirit



Winemaker:
Philosophy:




Burning Kiln Winery

1709 Front Road, RR#2
St. Williams, Ontario, NOE 1P0.


Located just outside the official Lake Erie  North Shore Appellation along the shores of Lake Erie in Norfolk County. The winery will open in 2011  The location was chosen due to the moderating effects of the lake that has well-drained and south sloping sandy loam soils that will impart a distinctive floral nature to the grapes and wine produced Currently 20 acres of Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Savignin(rare in North America )are planted 

The wineries is a partnership owned by Mike McArthur, Dave Pond, Frank Deleebeeckand Gord Malo (Steve Malo Farms Inc.) .

Winemaker: Andrzej Lipinski Patricia Fixter
Philosophy: Maintain a high quality and healthy vineyard, employ distinctive and environmentally responsible methods and commit to produce superior quality wines



Burning Mills Vineyard

Port Dover

Opening soon

Burning Mills Vineyards is a premium vineyard estate located in the South Coast of Ontario in the town of Port Dover. Founded in 2007 on a homestead originally developed as an equestrian retreat, the estate will offer two lines of wines - Burning Mills and Burning Ice

The winery is unique producingAmarone style wines made with dried grapes, and we were the first to do so in former tobacco kilns



Winemaker: Rob Gill
Philosophy: to work with soil structures, climate and specific varieties developing the vineyard and planting densities based on the different qualities each site possessed. organic management practices gave the advantage of providing the plants with the opportunity to express their full, unobstructed qualities and potential.




Brus' Orchards & Winery

 

Kings Highway # 19
Tillsonburg, Ontario



The owners are Mariëtte and  Hans Brus immigrants from a small apple growing village called Lummen in the fruit-growing province of Limbourg in Flanders, Belgium. While on a trip to Canada in1996 Hans was visiting Quebec and Ontario when he saw the lands near Tillsonburg, with its rolling hills and a winding creek meandering through this property He bid on the land the same evening. The move to Canada was made in April of 1997


Brus lays claim to been the smallest winery in Canada. They produce only three wines. As apperative a "Vermouth-like" Apple-Cherry. For diner the Chardonnay also a smooth evening dormanter. For dessert Apple-Ice-Berry and our classic Apple-Iced "sweeter than kisses".  New for 2007 is "Scrumpy"" a Hard Cider, which comes in four different flavours.

Besides wine the Orchard produces Fruits and Vegetables, apples, pears, sweet corn, pumpkins, honey, maple syrup, statues and bird baths. In the fall there is the annual pumpkin-shoot, hay-rides and corn-maze festival.

Winemaker: Ir. Hans W. Brus  O.O.M.
Philosophy: wine for your pleasure



Colchester Ridge Estate Winery

108 Country Road 50
Harrow Ontario N0R 1G0


The winery is situated on Colchester Ridge hence Colchester Ridge Estate Winery. The acronym is CREW and the silhouette of the sail boat is appropriate. Owners Bernard Gorskip  and Nancy Gorski have 42 Acres a short distance from the lake. !2 Acreas are currently producing grapes. The winery was schedualed to open in the fall of 2005 .

signature wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Gewurztraminer


Winemaker: Bernard Gorski
Philosophy: Make the best wine each year. Take your time and do it right.

 



Colio Estate Wines


1 Colio Dr.,
Harrow, Ontario

Colio Winery

Situated in the Lake Erie North Shore region near Harrow, Ontario, their dream began twenty years ago. Today the winery is know around the world having received over 200 awards of achievement. They produce over 200,000 cases of wine. Winemaker Carlo Negri was a leader in in planting the vinifera vines having confidence in the soil and microclimate of the Lake Erie North Shore. In 2005, Carlo was presented the “Winemaker of the Year” at the Ontario Wine Awards and the “Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence” for his commitment to his craft

With its 200 acres of vineyards in Colchester , Ontario and its recently purchased parcel of prime vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake where plans are in the works for a showpiece winery/distillery, the winery now has a presence in the two significant VQA regions.

Winemaker Carlo Negri was awarded the Ontario Wine Awards 2005 " WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR " and, in the same year won the " TONY ASPLER CUVEE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE " for his commitment and passion. Colio winery produces  Girls Night Out wines

Winemakers: Carlo Negri, Tim Reilly, Kevin Donohue
Philosophy: To produce dry wines which not only are Italian in style but also coincide with all major wine-producing countries. To be proud of our entire production.



Cooper Hawk Vineyards

1425 Iler Rd.
Harrow Ontario N0R 1A0.



One of Lake Erie North Shore newest wineries..located close to the lake owned by Tom and Mike O'Brien. The name comes from the numeous hawks flying over the vineyard and Thier dad woked for at PriceWaterhouse Coopers and a cooper makes barrels who makes wine barrels.

The vineyards are planted with Cab Franc, Reilsing. Chardonnay, Melot They are planting Vidal this spring with plans to produce a Vidal Icewine. Curently 9 of the thir 69 acrea location is planned.

Winemaker:
Rori McCaw
Philosophy: The aim is a destination winery, comfortable for foodies and families to visit, explore, sip and sample. The approach is a winery venture compatible with its surroundings, a picturesque setting with its wideopen vista of vines on a gentle slope to the Iler Road.



D'Angelo Estate Winery


5141 Concession 5 North,
RR#4 Amherstburg,
Ontario, N9V2Y9

winemaker

"We make wine the natural way, we grow it." Located on the Lake Erie North Shore the winery established 1983 takes pride in growing the best Vinifera and French Hybrid grapes, under the direction of owner winemaker Sal D"Angelo. The magnificent vineyard covers forty-two acres of the fifty-acre property

The D'Angelo family brought their winemaking tradition over from Italy to Canada in the 50's. Sal started helping his father with making their wines in Ontario as a very young boy. In 1999, Sal D'Angelo was the first recipient outside of the Niagara region ever to win the coveted Grape King Award. The prestigious award, begun in 1956, is presented each year to officially proclaim the highest quality vineyard in the province of Ontario for that year.

The D'Angelo Estate Winery holds the distinction of being the only winery to win back-to-back gold medals for Ice Wine at the Cuvee Awards.

They also have a winery on the Naramata Bench in BC.

Winemaker: Salvatore D'Angelo
Philosophy: Quality is grown” are the words he lives by. Throughout the vineyard, only the finest French viniferas and hybrids are planted

The family has also opened a winery  on the Naramata Bench in BC



Erie Shore Vineyard



Harvey & Alma Hollingshead,
410 County Road 50 West,
RR 3 Harrow, ON
N0R 1G0 Canada

Harvey and Elma

Erie Shore Vineyard is a family run estate winery, owned and operated by Harvey & Alma Hollingshead and their two sons, specializing in 100% Estate Grown VQA wines . The winery just 600 meters from Lake Erie , the area is ideally suited for the production of world class grapes and wine Located south of the town of Harrow making it Canada's most southern winery. The first vines were planted in 1997, and over 15 acres of European varieties are now established. Harvey & Alma opened a wine juice business in 2001, offering juice to area home winemaker's. In December 2002 they opened their winery offering 7 inaugural vintages.

Winemaker: Harvey Hollingshead.

Philosophy:
Great wines do not happen by accident. Serious winemaking starts in the vineyard. It continues through harvest, fermentation and cellaring, All practices whether in the vineyard or the winery are focused on one solitary goal- the best possible wine achievable




Mastronardi Estate Winery

1193 Road 3 East
Kingsville, ON
N9Y 2E5 Canada


 

Mastronardi Estate Winery, established in 2006, is nestled in the heart of Essex County! Owners, Eadie and Tony Mastronardi, along with winemaker Lyse Leblanc are dedicated to growing exceptional grapes and producing high quality VQA wines.

The 100 acre vineyard, originally planted over 25 years ago during the revival of wine production in Southern Ontario, produces 18 varietals of Vinifera. The vines thrive amongst 1000 + acres of vineyards in Southwestern Ontario, located along a peninsula that wraps around the north shore of Lake Erie. The moderating effect of the climate is ensured by the warm waters of Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, which surround this peninsula. It is the location along the 42nd north parallel (similar to that of French Riviera, Mendecino California, Tuscany Italy and southern France) that gives Lake Erie North Shore the highest accumulation of heat units in Ontario each summer. This Lake effect along with abundant sunshine results in the high sugars and ideal acid levels of each varietal. Therefore, an earlier harvest is common.

WInes produced include Zweigelt, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio and award winning blends. Their Vidal Icewine 2004 won International Gold at 2007 Sélections Mondiales des Vins


winemaker: Lyse LeBlanc



Meadow Lane Winery

R.R. # 3,
St. Thomas, Ontario
(on Hwy 3 across from the airport)


Owned and operated by the Myszko family. Meadow Lane Winery Ltd is a charming country winery located east of St. Thomas. The winery is situated on a 45 acre farm. The farm has a tranquil meadow nestled among the timbers as well as some woodlands at the further most edge of the property Walter is the winemaker.




Muscedere Vineyards


7457 County Rd 18
Harrow


Owned by the Muscedre family located on a picturesque 163-acre farm, with 83 acres of natural forest on the Greenway Trail

Winemakers: Roberto and Fabio Muscedere




 

Paglione Estate Winery
726 County Road 50
East Harrow , ON Canada

 
 
NA

new winery for 2011 owned by Sandra , Sam and Nancy Paglione

Winemaker:
Philosophy:




Quai Du Vin Estate Winery

45811 Fruit Ridge Line RR
#5 St.Thomas Ontario,
N5P 3S9



Rob Quai and his wife Lisa operate this 20 acre winery in Elgin county 5km from Lake Erie. The location doesn't quite fit into the other wine regions. However in mid 1970's Redi Quai planted a vineyard. Quai du Vin produces over 90,000 bottles per year and has celebrated its "Millionth Bottle" in July, 2002.
Their philosophy is to produce good quality wines at reasonable prices using simple winemaking techniques.
They work hard doing it themselves. They also produce wine jellies.

Winemaker: Rob Quai


Rush Creek Wines

R R #2 Aylmer,
Ontario N5H 2R2


Rush Creek Wines is located on the North shores of Lake Erie in the Eastern Region of Elgin County, nearby the historic village of Sparta. A Dream come true for Kim & Wendy Flintoft and their family

Winner of the 2001 National Fruit Wine Maker of the Year Award. Rush Creek Wines offers a wide variety of wines, from dinner wines to dessert wines, meads (honey wine), maple wine, and very dry wines - they have them all. Using only 100% pure fruit from which the wine is named, no grape base is used.

All Rush Creek wines are fully Kosher certified for Pass-Over.
Best Seller Blueberry Rush Most unusual best seller Decadence a strawberry chocolate wine!

Winemaker: Kim Flintoft
Philosophy: wines must taste like the fruit they are made from. I refuse to use a grape base or anything but pure natural Ontario fruit

Signature wine: Blueberry



 

Sanson Estate Winery

9238 Walker Rd RR1
McGrego Ontario, N0R 1J0

 

The winery is owned by professional chef Dennis Sanson. and his partner Maureen Jacks. The winery opened in 2002. with three hectares primarily growing Vidal and Baco Noir

Winemaker:
Philosophy:



Smith & Wilson


RR #1, 8368 Water Street,
Blenheim, ON  N0P 1A0
Canada


Located in the Lake Erie North Shore wine region, Smith & Wilson Estate Wines was opened by George and Mary Jane Smith in 2005.  Their winery is family owned and located at their 3 rd generation century farm.  It is small and picturesque, with vines growing on a gently sloping ridge that meets the north shore of Lake Erie.

All the wines are produced on site with farm grown grapes or fruit.  In 2006 they released their Viognier, a smooth easy drinking variety reminiscent of summer peaches.  They are the only winery in the area to produce wine from this grape.

In their first major wine competition six Medals of merit were awarded at the All Canadian Wine Championships


Winemaker: George Smith
Philosophy: small batch, quality wines meant to be enjoyed with friends and family



Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery

7258 Heritage Road
County Rd. 50 W
Harrow N0R 1G0 Phone:

 


The dream of Gord Mitchell (President), his wife Hannah (CFO ) came true as they opened the doors to their winery Dec 2006. They originally purchased the land in 1975 taking five years to clear the Sprucewoods.
The vineyards were planted in 1991, the first 3 acres by hand. The grapes were sold to Colio and Pelee Island for years. As Gord and Hannah worked on buiding the winery daughter Tanya began training as a winemaker working in France, Australia and the Niagara region.In 2003 they started building their winery. Gord, a retired Daimler Chrysler plant manager, designed, contracted and framed most of the buildings. Today a magnificent two story structure over looks a 35 acre vineyard and Lake Erie.

This is a true family affair   with sons  Stephen (Sales) and Jake (Media), and daughters Marlaina (Finance) and Tanya (Winemaker). Family members use their background experience and education to contribute to the winery.

Signature wines : Merlot and Cab Sauvignon

Winemaker
: Tanya Mitchell
Philosophy: To produce a range of premium and ultra premium wines appealing to a wide consumer group


Tours available on request /icewine



Viewpointe Estate Winery


County Rd. 20
Harrow  ON  N0R 1G0
Essex County


The work of producing fine quality wines began in the 2000 under co owners and brothers Stephen and John Fancsy ; the first vintage been 2001. The structural building will not be completed until 2005. Viewpointe Estate Winery is made up of three parcels of land that produce a variety of vines, each influenced by the nature of its geography. When mature, the combined 42 acres will produce 12,000 to 14,000 cases. At capacity, the production will be 25,000 cases. The location has conditions favourable to high quality wine grape production (soil and climate) as well as a breathtaking vista situated within a well recognized viticultural area. The new winery (completion date 2005) will provide a breath taking view of the lake , providing culinary venue (instruction) and rental hall.

Wine and Liseure.com wrote The winery is one of the most significant facilities in North America and is beautiful to look at. Proprietor John Fancsy has crafted a location, winery facility and wines that are second to none

Winemaker: Sal D'Angelo
Winemaking Philosophy: to express the best features of our fruit from each of our three vineyards

Wine style:
Red: Dry bordeaux stylingWhite: Fresh and Fruity Some early to market, others with a minimum of 4 years to release and a few in between




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