13th Street Winery

About 13th Street Winery

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Celebrating over 20 years of winemaking in Niagara, 13th Street Winery’s mission is to create exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Niagara with a focus on Gamay Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and traditional method sparkling wines.

Set amongst 50 acres of estate vineyards, 13th Street Winery is located halfway between Jordan and St. Catharines, on Fourth Avenue, just minutes off the QEW.
Winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas brings over 30 years of experience including a rich heritage of wine growing in his native Chablis, France. Owners Doug and Karen Whitty bring with them a family history of over 110 years of farming in Niagara. In 2017 Doug was named Grape King by the Grape Growers of Ontario and in 2019 awarded the Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence.

13th Street’s retail location features a contemporary Tasting Room & Wine Bar with an expansive tasting bar with floor to ceiling windows on two sides. Tastings are available during regular business hours in the wine boutique and seasonal patio fare is offered during the summer months.
The expansive grounds are home to a diverse sculpture collection and guests are encouraged to explore the gardens and vineyards as well as the newly opened Gallery at 13th Street Winery. The Gallery is home to an extensive collection of contemporary art and exhibits rotate regularly.

Also onsite is a local favourite - 13th Street Bakery - which features fresh baked goods (including their famous butter tarts) and an assortment of jams, jellies and preserves all made with Niagara produce as well as a large selection of artisanal Ontario cheeses, gourmet food items and unique gifts.
Discover our unique blend of WINE FOOD and ART!

Representative Biography

Jean-Pierre Colas, Winemaker

Jean-Pierre (JP) Colas is one of the most talented French-trained winemakers in the business. His winemaking philosophy is quite simple. He believes that great wines come from the best grapes grown in the best vineyards, whereas winemaking techniques are only utilized to supplement and capture the very essence of the grapes’ provenance and character. With this philosophy in mind, JP excels at crafting high-quality red wines paramount to the Niagara peninsula: Gamay Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Likewise, JP guides the production of exceptional white wines, including world class Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer.

Between France and his current residency at 13th Street, Jean-Pierre travelled and worked extensively around the world, including Carmen Vineyards in Chile, Bodegas Chandon in Argentina, and Oyster Bay Winery in New Zealand. He has studied and worked under a number of exceptional winemakers including Michel Givors in Morgon, Beaujolais and Gilbert Picq, and Michel Laroche in Chablis, Burgundy.

“Cool Climate Chardonnay is my roots. Being born and raised in Chablis it runs in my blood!”
Jean Pierre Colas
Photo credit, Sandra Ozkur

Why We're Cool

Situated at 43 degrees north, our vineyards are at the northern extreme of viable viticulture so are inherently “cool.” Add to this our winemaker’s core philosophy of maximizing the impression of this terroir through minimal intervention in the winery, our Chardonnays are distinctly “cool” both in style and origin!