Wines of Ontario

There are three main regions where grapes are grown to produce wines in Ontario: Lake Erie North Shore, Niagara Peninsula and Prince Edward County. Each is different and within each appellation there are countless variations on a theme.

For example, The north shore of Lake Erie is much further south than the others and has a little longer ripening time, allowing for more sugar to accumulate in the grape. Yeasts then get to work converting the sugar into alcohol, resulting in wines with more ripeness and body.

The Lake Erie North Shore appellation is relatively new with approximately 13 wineries and is an area worth visiting and exploring.

With over 110 wineries and over 13,000 acres of grapes, the Niagara Peninsula is the largest of the three appellations. It is further divided into ten sub-appellations. These are distinct areas reflecting the different soil types and climates.

And of course there is our own backyard, Prince Edward County. Having only achieved VQA status in 2007, with around 35 wineries and about 500 acres of grapes, it is relatively new.

The beauty of the wines grown here is that the grapes achieve full ripeness with less sugar, resulting in concentrated wines on a lower alcoholic frame.

People frequently ask about the main differences between wines from Niagara and the County. Generally, Niagara wines are riper, fuller-bodied, with more fruit expression given the longer growing season. This is a result of a few extra weeks in the spring and fall.

County wines tend to be more restrained, minerally, and acid-driven. The natural acidity of the grapes is highlighted by the soil and cooler climate.

When it comes to the two signature grapes of the County—chardonnay and pinot noir—the former tends to be more elegant, with flinty minerality and bright acidity. While the latter are generally lighter, more earthy, and subtle— often less fruit-forward than their counterparts from Niagara.

Niagara also has a larger, more established industry with many commercial-sized producers and a well cultivated wine tourism infrastructure.

In contrast, PEC has a younger wine scene with a focus on smaller lots of wine and is home to numerous small, independent wineries.

Yet the wines here are starting to gain the industry respect they deserve. At this year’s recent All Canadian Wine Championships held in Picton, more awards for County wines were won than ever before. In fact, one County wine won a trophy award, the highest in a category— the first for any County wine.

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards winemaker, Connor Van Tol, won the trophy for his 2023 Rosé.

The County’s newest winery, Volta, also won two awards. Associate winemaker at Rosehall Run, Lee Baker, made the wines under the direction of owner John Del Degan. And now, as Volta’s new full time winemaker, Chris Thompson, is leading the charge, the wines will continue to be worthy of any glass.

Three Dog Winery also won many awards, with new ownership and new head winemaker Andrew Rytwinski at the helm, only proving that the wines in Prince Edward County are actually best in show!

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PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AWARD WINNERS