Divergence Wines

About Divergence Wines

Divergence Wines was started in 2020 by winemaker and owner Jeff Moote with the objective of creating wines of great precision, authenticity, and quality that represent a unique take on the best of what Niagara has to offer. Small lot wines from great vineyards that are true to their origin and inspired by tradition, but not bound by it. Classic, but not necessarily mainstream.
Divergence is part of Collab Wine & Beverage, a collection of producers all sharing a common marketplace to bring craft Ontario beverages into the world. The wines are currently made at Marynissen Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, sourcing fruit from the best vineyards across Niagara.

Representative Biography

Jeff Moote, Founder and Winemaker

Jeff Moote is the founder and winemaker behind Divergence Wines.
Prior to graduating from the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute’s Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology Program at Brock University, Jeff was an Engineer working in the chemical process industry.
Jeff has worked at well-known Niagara wineries such as Fielding, Creekside and Trius before joining Vintegrated in a consulting winemaker role and launching Divergence. His time both inside and outside the wine industry has reaffirmed the “no compromises” ethos that continues to drive him.
“I am a huge fan of Cool Climate Chardonnay wines as they are the perfect communicator of both terroir and a winemaker’s signature. From traditional method sparkling to full on barrel fermented styles, the sense of place and stylistic intentions always come through.”

Why We're Cool

Cool climate Chardonnay is an important component of the Divergence brand. Single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs traditional method sparkling was the first Divergence wine to be conceived and is at the heart of the portfolio. Still wines have followed as I continue to access great vineyards and explore new blocks and clones.
These wines all focus on the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation with vineyards such as Grimsby Hillside Vineyard, Mio Vineyard, and (formerly) Hughes Vineyard as I feel this area offers such a generous expression of the variety.
Niagara offers such a great climate for making all of these wine styles, with great balance between freshness and ripe flavours each year. We get incredible vintage variation and it comes through in the wines, but Chardonnay seems to handle the variation the best of all varieties and make compelling wines regardless of the vintage.