Ravine Vineyard

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Website

About Ravine Vineyard

Although we’re sure every farm family feels the same about their 5 generations old farm and organic winery, we believe ours is truly unique! Perhaps it’s because of our approach to family.
Our goal was to create a sustainable way to maintain our 100+ year old farm and continue to foster the legacy of our family upon it.

To do this we had to create interest, follow our dreams and find ways to continue to fall in love with the land and each other. Ravine is a paradise within a fabric of tastes, experiences, scenes and sounds across 34 acres of beautiful rolling vineyard.

We are among the few wineries in Niagara with a self-standing restaurant that bakes our own bread and grows our own certified organic vegetables. We are blessed with a renowned wine and culinary team that chooses an ever-changing menu.

With a variety of ingredients picked right from our very own on-site garden, Estate Director and Executive Chef John Vetere not only creates a seasonal menu but also preserves as much as possible so that ‘go local’ is not just a seasonal term. Our meals are paired with the guidance and discriminating palate of our Head Winemaker, Jay Johnston.

Using biodynamics and sustainability as a philosophy to farming, the enhanced quality and flavours in both our small batch premium wines and fresh food products is something we are proud of and very eager to share!

Representative Biography

Jay Johnston, Winemaker

Jay Johnston is the Head Winemaker at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in St. Davids, Ontario, where he leads the evolution of the estate’s wine program with a focus on terroir-driven, small-lot wines.

A respected figure in the Ontario wine industry for more than two decades, he has crafted wines at some of the region’s most acclaimed properties, including Skye Chase Estate Winery, Stratus, Tawse, Hidden Bench, Flat Rock Cellars, Organized Crime and others.

At Ravine, Jay is guiding a renewed emphasis on parcel selection, detailed blending, and process-driven refinement from vineyard to cellar, building on the estate’s strong existing portfolio. His approach centres on highlighting individual vineyard blocks, expanding the range of blending components, and using techniques such as tailored maceration times, fermentation temperatures, and barrel programs to continually elevate quality.

A graduate of Niagara College’s Viticulture and Winemaking program, Jay has contributed to the development of some of Canada’s most storied wineries, with experience spanning both viticulture and cellar leadership. Over his career he has been recognized for producing some of Ontario’s finest wines, combining deep technical knowledge with a nuanced understanding of cool-climate terroir.
In his role at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Jay works closely with the hospitality teams to ensure the wines reflect the character of the historic St. Davids property and its expanding estate holdings, including the Creek Road Vineyard in the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation. His mandate is to harness these diverse sites to create expressive, age worthy wines that showcase Niagara’s potential while enhancing Ravine’s reputation as a leading destination for authentic, estate-focused wines.

Why We're Cool

Located in the Appellation of Niagara-on-the-lake, the St. David’s Bench is very unique, as it is
20 per cent warmer than any other location in the Niagara Region. The vineyard shares this fortuitous distinguishing feature with its neighbours, but if you go a little deeper, that is where the common physical attributes end.

Ravine’s soil is lighter, with a consistent airflow and water drainage through the vineyard because we are at the highest elevation of the St. David’s Bench. We experience the earliest bud break and a longer growing season. Our 150-year-old family farm sits atop the ancestral channel of the Niagara River as it once raged 22,800 years ago.

Our hillside soils have eroded over the last 5,500 years on these small but relatively steep slopes. Now, the soil continues to be thin, sparse and very mineral-conducive to the growth of some very low cropping, Niagara-style Chardonnay.

Sitting on the highest peak of our Sub-Appellation not only creates a steady airflow, but it generates outstanding high-pressure systems during the growing season for our fruit. This aids in maintaining moderate temperatures well into September and these conditions make an interesting microclimate for our organic cool climate Chardonnay fruit! Winemaker Jay Johnston loves making cool climate chardonnay at Ravine because it highlights our unique terroir and sense of place.

Stratus

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Website

About Stratus

The Stratus winery, like our signature assemblage wines, is a composition – a whole greater than the sum of its parts. On their own, the individual elements are distinctly unique – a diversely planted vineyard with unusually rich soil; a sustainable facility that unites tradition and science to serve the winemaker's art; and a retail gallery with adjoining tasting rooms that are both chic and welcoming. Working together, they create wines and experiences that are truly memorable.

Representative Biography

J-L (Jean-Laurent) Groux, Founding Winemaker, Dean Stoyka, Winemaker

A native of the Loire Valley in France, J-L Groux studied winemaking both at the College de Beaune in Burgundy and at the University of Bordeaux.. He subsequently traveled the globe to learn more about the world’s wine regions and styles of winemaking - a journey that eventually brought him to the Niagara region in the early 1980s.

Drawn to the ideal, natural grape-growing climate of the Niagara Peninsula and intrigued by how different it was from the vineyards in the Loire Valley, J-L Groux joined Hillebrand Estates in 1989.
At Hillebrand, Groux seized the opportunity to experiment with grape varieties, winemaking techniques and wine growing practices within the rebirth of the Canadian wine industry.

In 2004, J-L joined Stratus Vineyard’s, Niagara’s ultra-premium and world’s first fully LEED certified winery, as the Director of Winemaking. At Stratus, J-L is renowned for his passion for creating distinctive wines based on the principle of assemblage - the art of crafting several different grape varieties to produce a wine that is the most complex expression of the vineyard’s terroir. The wines of Stratus have set the highest standard for quality and continue to impress both critics and consumers alike.
J-L lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake with his wife Béatrice and their two children, Gaëlle and Corwan.

Dean Stoyka, Winemaker
Since joining Stratus in 2010, Dean’s oenology diploma and drive to understand all things ‘wine’ have allowed him to span roles at Stratus including retail sales, lab technician and winemaking supervisor. In 2015, Dean’s passion for the farm reached fruition as he evolved into Stratus’ Vineyard Manager. Next, he took on the role of Assistant Winemaker, and now as Winemaker, Dean continues to further Stratus’ precision viticulture and sustainable practice.

Dean was born and raised in Niagara and was first exposed to wine through his father’s 40-year career at Vincor / Constellation.

Why We're Cool

We have 1 block of Chardonnay that is nearing 25 years and shared between two clones - #96 and #548. While we employ classic Burgundian approaches to winegrowing and vinification for our Chardonnay, we seek to express Niagara authenticity.

We hand-pick at yields averaging 2 to 2.5 tonnes per acre in late September or early October and whole cluster press into barrel where the juice undergoes ‘natural’ fermentation based on indigenous yeasts. From here, we age in a combination of new, second-fill and neutral barrels and ultimately create an assemblage of these small lots to release as Stratus Chardonnay.

Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Beamsville Bench, Canada

Website

About Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Canada’s Best Small Winery of the Year 2015! Nestled in the Beamsville Bench appellation of Niagara, we believe less is more with our approach to “small lot” winemaking. The estate’s award-winning Rieslings and rare Small Lot Reds are coveted by collectors and wine lovers. Emma Garner (2015 Winemaker of the Year) invites you to taste our limited estate wines in a personalized seated tasting and discover the character of our vineyards with a winery tour.

Representative Biography

Emma Garner, Director of Winemaker

During her studies in the Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University, Emma Garner travelled to Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and British Columbia. Emma worked at Trius Winery, until 2005 when she began working for Thirty Bench Wine Makers, eventually becoming Thirty Bench winemaker in 2010. She believes in allowing the vineyard to express itself by making wine with minimal intervention. Emma received well-deserved recognition for her talents in 2015 as she was personally awarded Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards and Thirty Bench won Small Winery of the Year at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

Why We're Cool

At Thirty Bench Wine Makers we consider ourselves cool climate for a multitude of reasons!
Perched perfectly on the Beamsville Bench, our property is the ideal distance from Lake Ontario. The slope of the land enables our vineyard to have excellent air and water drainage.
The microclimate of our Beamsville Bench vineyard is fortunate enough to benefit from the moderating effect of Lake Ontario which provides cooler nights (and subsequent acid retention) as well as increased temperatures during the winter. As a result of this lake effect, our season extends later into the fall. The longer growing season coupled with western sun exposure results in fruit bursting with flavour and character.
In order to allow the vineyard to express itself in the wine, we are not heavy handed when it comes to oak usage in our winemaking. The absence of malolactic fermentation and a measured amount of lees stirring also helps to keep our wines fresh and focused.

Our Chardonnay Blocks:
Within in our vineyard we have two relatively small blocks of Chardonnay. By having two different clones (95/96), different harvest dates and different fermentation batches, we are able to make wines of exceptional complexity and quality.
Our vines are 20 years old and are nestled perfectly in the middle of our property where they are able to take advantage of the constant air and water movement. The clay loam/limestone soils help to create wines with wonderful ageability and finesse.

Jackson-Triggs

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Website

About Jackson-Triggs

When you pick up a bottle of Jackson-Triggs, you can be sure you made the right choice. Jackson-Triggs is a name you know. It’s a name your friends know. It’s a name that stands for our commitment to crafting the perfect wine for any occasion, and our attention to detail shows. We are Canada’s most awarded winery and have been named “Best Canadian Winery” an unprecedented number of times in international and domestic competitions. You can feel proud when serving Jackson-Triggs wines in knowing that, no matter the varietal, vintage, or region, you’ll be pouring a premium wine that pairs perfectly with every moment, large or small.

Representative Biography

Chris Holman, Winemaker

About Chris Holman, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winemaker
Chris Holman's journey from the fields of his grandparents' farm in Flamborough to the prestigious vineyards of McLaren Vale, Australia, is a testament to his unwavering passion for winemaking. Born and raised in Burlington, ON, Chris discovered his fascination with agriculture early on, spending summers amidst the crops and fields that would shape his future.
At 19, Chris began his winemaking journey, enrolling in the Niagara College Winemaking Diploma Program. It was here that he honed his craft and ignited his love affair with the intricate art of winemaking. His transformative experience during his first international harvest in McLaren Vale affirmed his calling, propelling him into a career dedicated to crafting ultra premium wines. It was here where Chris gained a true understanding of how to produce big reds and specifically Shiraz.
Following his graduation in 2008, Chris embarked on a globe-trotting adventure, immersing himself in vineyards across Australia and Canada. From the cool, temperate vineyards of Tasmania to the desert and sage brush of the Okanagan Valley, he absorbed the nuances of winemaking as a cellar hand and Assistant Winemaker, each harvest enriching his expertise and deepening his connection to the vineyard.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Chris pursued further studies at Brock University, where he delved into the scientific intricacies of oenology and viticulture. Here, he seamlessly merged his practical experience with theoretical understanding, refining his skills and broadening his perspective on the winemaking process.
For Chris, the essence of winemaking lies in the exhilarating rhythm of harvest season, where creativity meets terroir in a symphony of flavors. He revels in the challenge of coaxing out the distinctive characteristics of each grape variety and vineyard, with a particular fondness for the aromatic intensity of Sauvignon Blanc and the gratifying complexities of Chardonnay. Chris has focused on a winemaking style that emphasises the differences in each vineyard block by guiding his wines into bottle with as little intervention as possible.
Beyond the vineyards and winery, Chris finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. An avid baker and pizza aficionado, he delights in crafting culinary delights for his loved ones. Summers are spent at his family cottage on Lake Restoule, where he shares cherished moments with his wife and two children, casting lines into the tranquil waters and savoring the beauty of nature.
Despite his success in the world of winemaking, Chris's journey could have taken a different turn as a former aspiring race car driver who hurtled down the track with dreams of victory, sponsored by none other than Volkswagen. Yet, in a pivotal moment of reflection, he chose the path less traveled, opting to channel his passion into winemaking—a decision that has undoubtedly borne fruit in the form of exceptional wines and a life rich in fulfillment.

Why We're Cool

Terroir, but mainly the cool temperatures at night during the ripening season of Chardonnay, this helps to promote the Cool Climate characteristic flavours and acidity in the fruit.

Inniskillin

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Website

About Inniskillin

As Canada’s first estate winery, Inniskillin prides itself as a pioneer that helped put Canadian wine on the map. Recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands, Inniskillin is committed to producing premium wines from premium grapes grown in Canada. With Wineries in both Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Inniskillin offers a full collection of world renowned, award winning VQA table wines and iconic Icewines made by progressive, artisanal winemakers.

Representative Biography

Nicholas Gizuk, Estate Winemaker

Nicholas Gizuk’s love for science and the outdoors matched with his creative spirit garnered him an interest in wine at a young age.
Born and raised in Welland, Ontario, Nicholas’ parents are both avid wine lovers, and his grandfather made wine at home every fall. He and his family would visit both Niagara-on-the-lake and the Beamsville Bench regularly. Nicholas enjoyed spending time outdoors and always had a keen fascination with biology and chemistry.
In 2003, Nicholas earned an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from University of Guelph. Through studying various food science courses available, it was fermentation and chemistry that captured his interest and passion. With this passion, Nicholas entered the Niagara College Winery and Viticulture program in 2009 where he honed his winemaking and tasting skills. He landed his first internship at Rosewood Estates Winery in 2010. After graduating from Niagara College with Honours, Nicholas worked an extended harvest at Flat Rock Cellars before his journey continued to the Barossa Valley in Australia and Marlborough, New Zealand for two harvests. He credits this time as an eye-opening experience, where he gained an appreciation for southern hemisphere winemaking.
In 2013, Nicholas took a harvest internship with Inniskillin Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and it was clear from the start that he was a perfect fit for the iconic winery. From 2013 to 2021, Nicholas trained under the guidance of world-renowned, award-winning winemaker Bruce Nicholson. In 2017, he was promoted to Assistant Winemaker, where he assisted in crafting all table wine varietals as well as Icewine production for the Niagara Estate. In the summer of 2021, Nicholas was promoted to the role of Estate Winemaker at Inniskillin Niagara Estate Winery.
Nicholas’ winemaking philosophy is about making varietally true wines, allowing the soil and sense of place to be expressed through each unique and iconic wine made. “We must respect the fruit and terroir, as that is the foundation of every great wine,” says Nicholas. “Our job, as winemakers, is to guide those grapes with as little intervention as possible into the bottle.”

Why We're Cool

I love how Chardonnay shines with rich, defined structures from the good natural acidities in our Niagara cool climate.