The Wineries and their Wines
Wineries below are presented in alphabetical order, rather than the order by which I visited. Please feel free to click on any of the winery names below to jump straight to that particular winery’s information and wine evaluations:

COLIO ESTATE WINES
Established in 1980, Colio Estate Wines is one of Ontario’s first wineries. Located in Canada’s warmest wine-growing region near the sunny shores of Lake Erie, Colio was founded by three Italian bricklayers with a dream of creating a world-class winery. The spirit of its founders is reflected in the winery’s Bricklayers Rewards series of wines – perhaps the most characteristic within their rather large portfolio.
Lili Sparkling
VINTAGE: NV |
PRICE: $17.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Crafted in the charmat method from riesling grapes, Lily is clear and bright with plenty of vibrancy. It’s fresh and fruity with sharp, clean acids. Citrus and green apple flavours dominate, with zesty notes of minerality. A fun wine that’s made for casual occasions.
Bricklayer’s Reward Pinot Grigio
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
From fruit sourced from the Niagara Peninsula, this grigio has fresh apple and pear on the nose, and even some floral notes. The palate is soft and rounded with peach and citrus flavours that are light and refreshing. There’s some flint smoke on the finish. A wine that meets traditional expectations for the varietal.
Bricklayer’s Reward ’20 Barrels’ Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
A lovely coloured chardonnay that’s orchard fresh on the nose and soft, round and clean on the palate. Barrel fermented, the oak adds just the right amount of complexity here, adding in those subtle toasty flavours to go along with grilled pineapple, honey and orchard fruits. Just 500 cases are produced each year. Sourced from a single vineyard within Niagara-on-the-Lake. Excellent value.
Bricklayer’s Legacy Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $22.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
An expressive, fruit-forward chardonnay that’s light and round with citrus flavours that blend seamlessly with additional notes of apple, pear and pineapple. Stainless steel tank fermented, barrel aged. An uncomplicated, everyday chardonnay. Just 480 cases. Made using Lake Erie North Shore fruit.
Hopetown Lightship Pinot Grigio Rosé
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $16.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is a very aromatic and palate-pleasing rosé, with dominant flavours of savoury herbs and strawberry. The finish is very strawberries and cream-like with a lovely mineral wash. It’s dry and perfect for patio sipping with your grilled chicken and veggies. Nicely done.

COOPER’S HAWK VINEYARDS
Founded in 2005, Cooper’s Hawk is an estate winery located on 70 acres of land just east of Harrow, Ontario. Of those 70 acres, 18 are planted to vine, with another three acres planted off-property. One can visit simply for the wine or make it full-on dining experience by enjoying lunch or dinner at The Vines Restaurant.
Cooper’s Hawk Amber – Skin Fermented White
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $27.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
Made using chardonnay musqué grapes, this “orange” wine has a lovely sweet citrus and floral nose to it. The palate is dry and much more intensely flavoured with orange, grapefruit and mineral notes. It’s a style of wine that’s trending with consumers, and this is about as correct as you can get for the style. As is the case with any skin fermented white, this is best enjoyed when paired with food (ie: spicy Asian cuisine).
Cooper’s Hawk Chardonnay Reserve
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
With its subtle petrol-like aroma, you’d think you were about to dive into a riesling here. But wait, those aromas quickly evolve and eventually hints of mango and butterscotch are revealed. Barrel fermented and aged for 10 months in French oak, the palate is soft and round with flavours of pineapple, caramel and buttered popcorn. There’s a nice and firm acidity that leads to a textured finish. Nicely structured, but perhaps still a touch too young. Give this some time to come to its truest form.
Cooper’s Hawk Riesling Reserve
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
Immediately one can’t help but notice the tropical and floral aromatics that leap from the glass. The palate is fresh and accentuates those tropical aromatics with notes of mandarin and vanilla. It’s refreshing and smooth with firm acids. The finish is bone dry. Should age well throughout this decade.
Cooper’s Hawk Late Harvest Riesling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 93 |
The grassy aromas that I picked up remind me of fall harvest time out in the fields. And just as one should expect from late harvest rieslings, the flavours here are juicy, candied and complex with mango and nectarine dominating. The finish is long with a dash of salty grapefruit. It’s an excellent dessert wine.
Cooper’s Hawk Merlot
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $20.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Fruit forward and light bodied, this is a more simple, mainstream expression that presents some licorice and ripened cherry. The palate flavours are fruity and I detected some cigar and clove on the finish. The slight grip I felt indicates that this wine can stand to rest for about a year or so, but don’t expect it to improve too much.
Cooper’s Hawk Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A more savoury, easy-drinking cabernet, with notes of blackberry and plum on the nose, and cedar and brambled fruit flavours on the palate. The finish is long and slightly peppery. A good pairing for most summer bbq fare, as this is by no means a heavy wine.
Cooper’s Hawk Cabernet Franc Reserve
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $38.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is a rich, full bodied red that’s velvety smooth and plush on the mouthfeel. Complex aromas of leather and sandalwood are mirrored on the palate that also bursts with notes of black plums, currants, raspberry and cloves. Tannins are present and firm, but smoothened. The finish is smoky. This is one that can cellar for several more years despite its aging vintage. Drink through 2025. Very reasonable price point, all things considered here.
Cooper’s Hawk HeritaGe
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $34.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
Aged in Canadian and French white oak barrels for nine months, HeritaGe was born as Canada’s unique blend, a heritage of this winery’s vineyard. This tri-blend wine reflects the white oaks grown on the property and celebrates the history of Essex County. The nose is herbaceous, with raspberry and subtle hints of lavender. The palate is loaded with fruit – cranberry, raspberry, red cherries. There’s plenty of full bodied depth here. Finish is somewhat leathery. A wine that you’d think is petit verdot but is far from it.

CREW – COLCHESTER RIDGE ESTATE WINERY
Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, or “CREW” as they are readily known, was established in 2001 by the husband and wife team of Bernie and Nancy Gorski. The Gorski’s planted twelve acres of vinifera vines on their family land in 2001 and produced their first vintage in 2004. I enjoyed my visit with Bernie, as we sat and tasted his portfolio of wines together and spoke, at great lengths, about his winery and the region as a whole.
CREW ‘Isle of View’ Sparkling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $23.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Made with 100 percent riesling, the honeyed and flinty aromas are spot on, as are the green apple and citurs flavours, vibrant acidic backbone, and mineral finish. Repeat after me: Isle of View!
CREW Unoaked Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $14.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
An easy-going, unoaked expression that’s approachable with its aromas and flavours of tropical fruit, lemon, and overall clean mouthfeel. Some slick butter rounds out the finish. A value-driven wine that delivers on its expected result.
CREW Riesling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $16.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Quite a complex, off-dry, palate expansive riesling that presents a citrus/petrol aroma before delivering nuanced flavours of lemon, pear, pineapple and flinty notes. The finish is citrusy. No matter what style of riesling you’re into, this one is worth exploring, considering its very reasonable price point.
CREW Posh Cuvee
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $14.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
This is a tri-blend of 57 percent chardonnay, 35 percent riesling and the rest gewürztraminer. It’s tropical with lemon, pineapple, honey and lychee aromas and matching flavours. Despite it’s only 8 g/L of residual sugar content, this comes off a bit too sweet for my tastes, lacking that acidic backbone to stand up to the sweetness.
CREW Gewurztraminer
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
Lychee, pear, apricot and guava with some ginger spice on the finish. A classic, off-dry expression. The acidity holds up nicely against the sugar content (35 g/L). A wine to pair with foods that pack a bit of heat, this should please fans of the varietal.
CREW Sauvignon Blanc
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $16.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
From the prized KJ Watson Vineyard in Niagara, this is a delicious and nicely complex expression of the varietal. Aromas of grapefruit and a hint of grass, are met with flavours of gooseberry, pineapple, zesty citrus and fresh hay. The finish is excellent.
CREW Flagship Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
This barrel fermented and French oak aged chardonnay sat on its lees for six months, undergoing partial malo fermentation (75 percent). The result is a wine that’s lemon scented with crisp apple and some spice. Mouthfeel is not completely round – there’s a feeling of crisp edges to it. Oak presence is very subtle on the palate. Wanted more from this.
CREW Red Sky at Night Rosé
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $16.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is 100 percent merlot and delivers a beautiful strawberry aroma. Flavours are full of freshly picked berries and the finish is wonderful. There’s just the right amount of skin contact here to keep the wine tasting fresh and flavourful. Off-dry, with 16 g/L RS – but it’s hard to tell with the balanced and lively acidity.
CREW Merlot
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $17.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Baking spice and warm cherries on the nose, leads to lush flavours of blackberry, black forest cake and spice on the warm finish. Tannins are finely grained. A nice merlot that will complement most hearty meals during those cooler months of the year.
CREW Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
A well-made cabernet for the price. The nose is spicy and hints at the depth of flavours to come. It’s a smooth wine, with finely tuned tannins, barrel spice and rich, dark fruit flavours that coat the mouth. A wine that’s indicative of the potential that cabernet has in this region.
CREW Cabernet Franc
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $22.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
This is an elegant, spicy, medium bodied cab franc with notes of cherry that surface above a medley of brambled fruit. Tannins are silky smooth, which makes this easy drinking and a good pairing for most dishes. Considering the fact that this would be $10-$12 more if it came from Niagara, this is a very good price for the wine you get.
CREW Meritage
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
The three grape varieties of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc create a beautiful blend here. Rich and complex, this traditional wine features deep and rich flavours of dark and red fruits. The nice tannic tug shows that this wine will have the structure to cellar for the next three to six years if you can wait that long. Nicely balanced. Exceptional value.
CREW Grand Crew
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $39.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
The winery’s crown jewel is this blend of estate-grown cabernet sauvignon and merlot that sports a deep, rich looking colour in the glass. The wine is nicely refined and balanced with fine tannin, spice, dark fruit and cedar. There’s definitely a French oak influence on the finish, with a lingering taste of vanilla. Just 120 barrels produced.

MASTRONARDI ESTATE WINERY
Mastronardi Estate Winery is nestled in the heart of Essex County. This family run, 65 acre vineyard winery exhibits a distinguished name in all things agricultural; whether it be their history in the greenhouse fresh produce industry or growing grapes. Winemakers – Tony and Jared Mastronardi – a father and son duo work side by side creating award winning VQA wines that will please every palate. Much of their 6,000 cases produced per year is moved through the high number of weddings and events that they host throughout the year.
Mastronardi Unoaked Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
It’s interesting that the winery is only releasing their 2016 vintage “unoaked’ chardonnay now, considering the more time an unoaked wine spends in bottle, the less fresh tasting it seems to become. But… this defies my pre-judgement. The first thing I wrote in my notebook after tasting this wine was the word “fresh”! There’s lovely pineapple, melon and apple notes, and the mouthfeel is very soft. I’ve been foiled by this wine, but in a very pleasingly good way.
Mastronardi Oaked Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
This oaked chardonnay spent six months in European oak and displays aromas of butterscotch. The mouthfeel is delicate and light, feeling like an unoaked wine, but that’s where the full malolactic fermentation plays a big part – its round and soft texture. An orchard fruit palate with a touch of butter and vanilla on the finish makes this a chardonnay worth spending some time with. Great value.
Mastronardi Pinot Noir Rosé
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is the winery’s first vintage of their pinot noir composed rosé. I was able to taste this from barrel as it was not yet released to the public. Gorgeously pale in colour, the mouthfeel is nice and dry, with beautiful flavours of strawberry/rhubarb and pomegranate. Acidity is firm and does not come across as tart or sour tasting. Refreshing.
Mastronardi Riesling
VINTAGE: 2013 |
PRICE: $9.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
This is a very dry expression, yet crisp and refreshing, with aromas of petrol and honeycomb that lead to flavours of pear, apricot, lemon and nectarine. There’s a touch of honey on the mid palate and the finish is slightly salty. It’s not easy to find an Ontario made riesling that’s under $10. This is a major steal of a deal.
Mastronardi Viognier
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $13.95 |
SCORE: 86 |
A very light, refreshing, yet somewhat muted expression of viognier. I had to really dig in to uncover hints of peach, honey and spice on both the nose and palate. As expected, acidity is on the low end, which only adds to the feeling of this being on the underwhelming side of things. Average experience at best.
Mastronardi Pinot Grigio
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $15.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
This is a crisp and lively expression, with good acidity and plenty of flavour profile. It’s citrusy, yet I can also detect notes of apple, pear and minerality. There’s a lemony finish to it.
Mastronardi Gewurztraminer
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $13.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A very fragrant wine (the lychee notes are very pronounced). It’s soft and evidently sweet with obvious flavours of ripe orange, pineapple and, of course, lychee. Definitely meant to be paired with spicy foods, otherwise, this may seem too sweet for some if just drinking on its own.
Mastronardi Syrah
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
This syrah, from established vines, displays a bold and balanced character with a deep nose of warm black fruits and hints of wood spice. The palate has flavours of dark cherry, blackberry and plum with earthy, spicy undertones and a cedar and white pepper finish. Tannins are smoothened nicely. A wine that nicely characterises the warmer 2016 vintage.
Mastronardi Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 93 |
This is a well-made, very expressive cabernet sauvignon, with seemingly unorthodox flavours that include spice, pepper, earthy notes and plum, in addition to its chunks of blackberry fruit. All very much welcomed! Tannins are so smooth. Dare I suggest that this is one of the stand-out cabs from the Lake Erie North Shore. And what an attractive price-point! Could easily be double the price.
Mastronardi Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
This is another wine that pleasantly surprised me. Textbook earth on the nose, the palate is soft and elegant with fruit-forward appeal. Some cran-cherry but not overwhelming to the point of being sour. A really nice pinot.

MUSCEDERE VINEYARDS
Muscedere Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery. The 13-acre vineyard is hand-harvested each year to create premium, small-lot, hand-crafted wines. They treat each variety, in each vintage, with the utmost care and attention to ensure true varietal character in every bottle. They specialize in the production of premium reds, including cabernet sauvignon. Their outdoor space offers a dog-friendly environment, situated next to the Chrysler Canada Greenway trail.
Muscedere Pinot Grigio
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $17.00 |
SCORE: 90 |
A fine-tuned grigio with lovely acidic balance and enticing aromas of apple and pear. The palate is fresh and clean with more apple, pear and tropical flavours that push on to the mineral finish.
Muscedere Sauvignon Blanc
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $17.00 |
SCORE: 87 |
This is a light and refreshing sauvignon blanc that comes off as pretty straightforward. Aromas are muted and its lemony/citrus palate is not overly complex. There’s a decent backbone of acidity, which will make this a worthy pairing for most seafood or chicken dishes.
Muscedere Rosé
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $17.00 |
SCORE: 90 |
Made from 95 percent vidal and just five percent cabernet franc – providing that beautiful salmon colour bleed – this rosé is off-dry, with strawberry/cherry aroma and flavour. It’s clean and crisp, and best of all, it’s very refreshing. The bottle will be gone before you know it.
Muscedere Cabernet Franc
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $19.00 |
SCORE: 88 |
Medium bodied with ripe fruit aromas and flavours of currant and spice with a cherry mid-palate. This underwent one year of aging in one year old French oak. Pretty much down the line for Ontario cab franc.
Muscedere Merlot
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $20.00 |
SCORE: 89 |
This merlot was aged 16 months in French oak barriques and exhibits pleasant notes black currant jam on both the nose and palate. There’s also vanilla and oak spice. Tannins are present and are grippy at the moment. Nicely structured but needs about a year or two of additional bottle age to help coax some of those hidden complexities.
Muscedere Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $30.00 |
SCORE: 88 |
This is 100 percent estate-grown fruit and it was aged in 50 percent new French oak and 50 percent one year old French oak and then in bottle for a full year before release. Flavours include leather, cigar box, currants and blackberry fruit. An expected and satisfying interpretation of cool-climate cabernet.
Muscedere Meritage
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $30.00 |
SCORE: 88 |
This ‘right bank’ Bordeaux inspired red blend consists of 60 percent merlot, 30 percent cabernet sauvignon and the rest cabernet franc. It’s soft and nicely balanced with an elegant nose and flavours that consist of dark and red fruits. Made to enjoy now as opposed to cellaring.
Muscedere Syrah
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $40.00 |
SCORE: 87 |
This small lot syrah was made exclusively with grapes hand-harvested from the winery’s estate vineyard – which consist of less than an acre of planted syrah. It was fermented in half-ton bins and aged in French barriques for 18 months, then in bottle for one full year before release. It comes across velvety smooth on the palate and exhibits dark fruit flavours that are not as complex or as structured as I had hoped for. The nose is a bit too muted at the moment as well. Wanted more from this wine, especially at this price.

NORTH 42 DEGREES ESTATE WINERY
A 17-acre vineyard, winery and Bistro producing award winning wines from their own estate-grown grapes. Husband and wife owners Martin Gorski (brother of CREW’s Bernie Gorski) and Suzanne Dajczak, along with the entire North 42 team invite you to taste their award winning wines, experience the natural beauty of their surroundings, their culinary team’s creations and warm southern (Ontario) hospitality. They offer an authentic winery experience where you can personally engage with the owners, learn about their history, the viticultural practices and winemaking techniques. According to Gorski, the sandy loam soils within this particular estate, are highly regarded to be some of the best soils in the entire region.
North 42 Degrees Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is an immediate palate cleanser with its cutting and fresh acidity, persistent bubbles and lemony fresh effervescence. I can probably count on one hand how many Ontario producers actually choose sauvignon blanc to make sparkling with. It works and this one is continued proof of that. Worthy of its recent double gold award win at the Greater American Wine Championship.
North 42 Degrees Riesling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $17.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Orchard fresh apple and crushed stone on the nose. Mouthfeel is soft and continues the orchard apple theme along with its lengthy and very dry citrus and mineral finish. An accurate varietal expression that delivers on its price point.
North 42 Degrees Riesling Reserve Late Harvest Dry
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $39.95 |
SCORE: 93 |
Immediately, the nose of candied apple and sweet pear have you thinking this is bound to be a sweet wine. But with just 1.5 g/L of residual sugar, this is not your typical late harvest riesling… or is it? True to German form (Trocken style), this is very dry, with palate pleasing flavours of pear, peach and citrus on the finish. If dry is your style, this is one to try. Ageworthy, this is a standout from a crowded field of much sweeter, and dare I say, perhaps easier made expressions that are produced in the province.
North 42 Degrees Sweet Riesling
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
Despite this being a much sweeter expression than the Late Harvest Dry (hence the word sweet on the label), at 30 g/L of RS, you’d think it to be quite noticeably sweet. Yes, it’s sweeter, but the foundation of acidity that this wine is built on prevents it from tasting sticky and typical. Candied pear, peaches, minerality and a squeeze of lemon all intertwine to make this another stand-out performer among North 42’s impressive portfolio. A match made in Heaven for spicy foods and desserts.
North 42 Degrees Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
From its two acres of planted pinot noir grapes, comes this very terroir expressive wine. Cherry, pepper and earth are featured on the nose. The palate is complex and delicate with its flavours of earthy cherry, black currant, forest floor and eucalyptus. Quite an elegant “entry level” pinot that should leave buyers feeling very lucky that this doesn’t cost so much more. Well made.
North 42 Degrees Pinot Noir Special Edition
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $29.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
The main difference between this and the estate level offering is its production method. The wine for this special edition is fermented in stainless steel, then racked in two year-old French oak barrels. The wine is quite noticeably soft, with less earth and spice, and more cran-cherry flavour. This one seems straighter down the line as a varietal expression. Either that, or I just expected more from it.
North 42 Degrees Cabernet Sauvignon Special Edition
VINTAGE: Combined Vintages |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is a combined vintage wine, with fruit from 2018, ’19 and 2020 vintages. The wine is nicely structured as a result, with its cherry, plum and herbal flavour profile and a fresh cherry fruit finish. Tannins are smooth and soft. Meets my expectations for the price.
North 42 Degrees Cabernet Franc Reserve
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $44.95 |
SCORE: 93 |
This cabernet franc is so soft on the mouthfeel – when re-visiting my notes for this wine, I had written the word soft three times. The nose is of earth and spice and the palate is classic cab franc with its dark fruits, hint of pepper and savouriness, all coaxed along with its silky smooth tannins. Nicely done.
North 42 Degrees Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $44.95 |
SCORE: 94 |
So this is what cool-climate cabernet looks and tastes like when it’s made very well – even when it’s from a cooler, less forgiving vintage. Beautifully dense in colour, this is an impressive – not to mention expressive cabernet that further highlights the fact that this grape should be this particular region’s main talking point when looking at the broader picture of Ontario’s wide spectrum of varietal success. This cab is to be considered among the few that I would rate to be the provincial benchmark. There’s plum on both the nose and palate, along with black cherry and currant. There’s hints of tobacco and cigar box. Tannins are ever-present and grippy, indicative of a five to ten year cellaring potential. In fact, I highly recommend you be patient with this one. The reward will come. High marks for its quality to price ratio (QPR).

OXLEY ESTATE WINERY
Oxley Estate Winery has become known for its small-lot, fruit-forward wines produced by winemaker, and co-owner Murray Wilson (his wife Ann is his co-owner). The winery is admittedly still very much a work in progress, as Murray Wilson continues to learn about and embrace the region’s terroir, and how he’s able to best express it through his wines. Very good things are not too far off for Oxley. Tastings are just outside the renovated 1920s barn, filled with warm hospitality, charm and beauty. Oxley is also known for its food – sourced locally and prepared fresh year-round – served on The Wine Garden patio.
Oxley Estate Lucky Blue Sparkling Brut
VINTAGE: NV |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
This sparkling sits soft and delicate on the palate and presents orchard fruit flavours of apple and pear. The finish is citrusy and dry. A well-made sparkling that’s refreshing and nicely priced.
Oxley Estate Pinot Rosé
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
This high acid rosé has flavours of strawberry rhubarb and cherry fruit – which comes across as quite tart and on the sour side (think sour cherry). There’s grapefruit on the finish, but I couldn’t get past those puckering flavours. Needs to be dialed down a bit. It will help to bring out more of those refreshing and savoury notes.
Oxley Estate Bianca
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
This is a sweeter, more consumer pleasing white, with flavours of pear, pineapple, lemon and almond butter on the finish. Undoubtedly, this is a wine that comes in handy for summertime consumption on a hot, humid day. Chill and watch this bottle disappear.
Oxley Estate Pinot Gris
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $18.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
This pinot gris is a bright, crisp wine with good acidity and a mineral edge to it. Flavours of freshly squeezed lemon, peach and a hint of ginger on the finish. A straightforward expression, but good for what it wants to be.
Oxley Estate Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $25.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
This is quite a terroir-influenced pinot noir, with aromas of cedar, violets and red fruits. The palate is a mix of cranberry (hence some of its sour edges), cherries and some clove and white pepper spice. Pleasantly impressed by this and looking forward to what’s in store for this winery’s single vineyard bottlings in the future.
Oxley Estate Cabernet Franc Reserve
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $25.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
This is a full-bodied, structured and rather tannic wine right now, but there’s plenty of promise for it to reward with some more time in bottle. The palate is impressively complex and layered, with revealing flavours of plum, earth and spice. Decant or cellar for two or three more years.
Oxley Estate Merlot
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $20.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Dark fruit, sage and floral aromas pave the way for a wine that’s got traditional flavours of cherry, blueberry and sandalwood. There’s a really nice mouthfeel to this; luscious, textured and balanced with ripe character and supportive tannin. Food friendly.
Oxley Estate Cabernet Merlot
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $20.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This blend sports intense hues of cherry wood and dark plum. The nose is of dried rose petal, lavender and spice. Flavours of blueberry and raspberry intertwine with more complex flavours of olive, fennel and pepper. Quite good. Nicely priced.
Oxley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
Straight away, you’ll notice the aromas of cigar box, underbrush and dark berry fruit. Palate flavours of blackberry, cherry, cedar and pepper indicate that this wine punches well above its price point. There’s even a savouriness on the finish that’s quite nice. Serve with roast beef and root vegetables and pay close attention to how this wine speaks to you.

PAGLIONE ESTATE WINERY
Such a charming place, Italian inspired and operated under the memory of its founder, Santino Paglione, who passed away in 2015. This winery definitely celebrates the simple life, serving delicious food and wines that complement their menu. It’s all about carrying on those small traditions, and you sense all of that when you visit here.
Paglione ‘Josephine’ Sparkling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Made using 90 percent chardonnay and 10 percent pinot grigio, this is an extra dry, light golden sparkling that comes across tasting fresh yet classic. The palate is soft with refined tropical and orchard fruit notes of green apple, pear and peach. The finish is balanced without the tartness found in many sparklings. Residual sugar is 17 g/L. A good choice for an aperitif.
Paglione Riesling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
Light bodied and dry (RS is 7.8 g/L) with aromas and flavours of lemon/lime zest. Acids are crisp and fresh tasting, lending to the overall structure of the wine. Mouthfeel is soft. A bit on the simpler, more straight-forward side when it comes to the potential (and expectation) of Ontario riesling, but satisfying nonetheless.
Paglione Pinot Grigio
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
Made in a style that comes across as more traditionally Italian, this is dry with notes of lemon, clementine and grapefruit. There’s an almond-like finish. Typically accurate for the style, but with so many other producers doing more expressive things with this grape these days, I’m left with the feeling that “traditional” is simply too safe.
Paglione Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Made using grapes that were sourced from the Niagara Peninsula, this is a medium to full bodied unoaked chardonnay with honeyed and fresh lemon aromas and flavours of mandarin and butterscotch on a soft and smooth finish.
Paglione ‘Santino’ Rosé
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Made using cabernet sauvignon sourced from the Four Mile Creek sub appellation of the Niagara Peninsula, this is a semi-sweet tasting rosé, with notes of strawberry, raspberry and herbs. It’s light in body and savoury on the finish. Almost 21 g/L of residual sugar, but just 10.5 percent alcohol, which makes this a very easy “drink til it’s done” type of wine.
Paglione Merlot
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A young, medium bodied merlot that’s still got some sorting out to do in bottle in order to smoothen out some of those tannins that are still quite present. Despite that, this has a fresh cherry taste with a lush, velvet-like finish. For the price, this is one worth snatching up and holding on to for about a year.
Paglione Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This sports a beautiful nose of black and cherry red fruit. The mouthfeel is soft textured, with chalky tannins and full bodied flavours of black cherry, peppercorn, cedar and spice with a smoky finish. Once again, the price point makes this a very attractive wine to purchase and re-discover perhaps a year or two down the line. Made using Niagara Peninsula fruit.
Paglione Cabernet Merlot
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $21.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
A blend of 60 percent cabernet franc and 40 percent merlot. This is medium bodied that’s peppery on the nose but really reveals itself nicely with its palate flavours of black currant, cherry, plum and cedar chest. There’s peppercorn on the mid-palate coaxing a spicy finish. A solid wine for the money.
Paglione Cabernet Franc
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A full bodied, varietally correct wine here, with dried fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry. There’s also hints of licorice and some subtle vegetal integration. It’s a smooth and silky wine with a very good spicy finish to it. No point in holding onto this for too long. Drink now.

PELEE ISLAND ESTATE WINERY
There’s an interesting story to this historic place for Ontario winemaking. Pelee Island is home to 700+ acres of farmland with a winemaking history dating back more than 150 years. Sustainability and sense of place permeate all that they do at Pelee Island Winery. This southernmost Canadian jewel is a natural habitat for Vinifera grape growing. From the first international accolades awarded at Paris World Fair 1878, to recent prestigious international awards, they continue to share with the world the unique terroir of the Canadian South Islands sub-appellation through the many wines they make here.
Pelee Island ‘Lola’ Cabernet Franc Rosé
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $15.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A very popular wine with the 25-34 age demographic, this is light, refreshing and easy-going. Made from 100 percent cabernet franc grapes grown in the South Islands VQA designated sub-region of Lake Erie North Shore, this is a stylish wine, complete with its elegant labeling, bottle shape and colour. Flavours are reminiscent of wild flowers and strawberries – a by-product of the growing region’s warm and steady lake breezes off the Pelee Island coast. Serve chilled and sip, sip away!
Pelee Island ‘Lighthouse’ Sauvignon Blanc
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $13.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A well-made sauvignon blanc, brought up in stainless steel and with a respectable amount of residual sugar (5g/L). This is pale lemon in colour but a pure burst of sunshine in a glass. Citrus flavours, pineapple and vibrant acidity lead to a finish that’s lemony and minerally. Grapes are sourced from around the province.
Pelee Island ‘Vinedressers’ Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $17.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Barrel aged for three months in French oak, this chardonnay has good weight to it, with light butterscotch and some burned caramel and vanilla on the finish. It’s made entirely with South Islands regional fruit and is very dry. A wine made for pairing with salmon or most other fish entrees.
Pelee Island ‘Vinedressers’ Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
A deep red coloured pinot, this exhibits a smoky and spicy bouquet, with softened palate flavours of cherries and currants. The finish is smoky and earthy. Some tannic grip to it, but overall, I’m pleased with this wine’s structure. Glad to see that this is all South Islands fruit – making this a very uniquely produced Ontario pinot noir.
Pelee Island ‘Vinedressers’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 89 |
This is a blend of 80 percent cab sauv and 20 percent cab franc. It’s an approachable red but it’s sure to cellar well for up to three years. A nicely bodied wine with a little smokiness and hints of currant and oak. Tannins are present but don’t get in the way. There’s good depth here. 100% South Islands fruit.
Pelee Island ‘Empress’ Traditional Sparkling
VINTAGE: NV |
PRICE: TBD |
SCORE: 91 |
A passion project of winemaker Martin Janz, this wine is yet to be released (due in early winter), and so, I was the first person outside of the winery to try this sparkling. Made in the traditional method, using pinot noir and chardonnay grapes – all grown on the island – this is a lovely bodied and very soft sparkling with persistent mousse. No sharp edges to it at all. Flavours of orchard fruits carry this all the way to a finish that’s minerally and toasty. Well made.

SPRUCEWOOD SHORES ESTATE WINERY
This estate, featuring plantings dating back to the 1980s, is located on a picturesque property surrounded by ponds, 25-year-old vineyards, gardens, and a sandy beach on Lake Erie. Yes, you can bring your wine glass and picnic basket when visiting here and hang out on the beach!
Sprucewood Shores Barrel Chardonnay: Hawk’s Flight Reserve
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This wine opens with a lovely scent of melon and vanilla, with further notes of hazelnut. The oak influence here strikes the right balance of buttery smooth and fresh fruit. There’s even a crisp acidic backbone, which is quite nice and adds a refreshing element. It’s lighter bodied overall, with honeyed texture and some caramel and baking spice on the finish.
Sprucewood Shores Pinot Grigio
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $13.23 |
SCORE: 88 |
This is a more tropical expression of pinot grigio, with softer acidity and lemon/lime aromas and flavours of apple, grapefruit and peach. The finish is citrusy. Simple, but not basic. It’s a wine for patio sipping and pairing with lighter foods.
Sprucewood Shores Dry Riesling
VINTAGE: 2019 |
PRICE: $12.35 |
SCORE: 86 |
This is more of an off-dry expression, despite the label saying dry. It’s more mainstream, not overly complex, with some orange peel, apple and mineral notes. I much prefer rieslings with more acidity to them. This one falls a bit flat, tasting similar to an apple cider.
Sprucewood Shores Sweet Select Riesling
VINTAGE: 2020 |
PRICE: $13.23 |
SCORE: 86 |
Once again, not overly complex or textured. This is noticeably sweet, lacking that acidity to really back it up. There’s some orange and pear flavours, and a touch of mango tries to make its way through. Simply average at best. I need to see that balance of acidity and sugar met for me to make a solid recommendation.
Sprucewood Shores Lady in Red
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $13.23 |
SCORE: 86 |
I was not provided with the spec notes for this wine, so I’m not sure of the varietal makeup. This is a consumer friendly, marketable wine that’s lighter in body with its fruity flavours. Average at best. Certainly drinkable. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sprucewood Shores Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $16.07 |
SCORE: 87 |
Don’t expect an overly complex cabernet here, but what you do get is a drinkable red that’s rich in its flavours of vanilla and forward blackberry fruit. There’s some pepper on the finish, but the length isn’t long lasting. I’d say the price is right for this one.
Sprucewood Shores Cabernet Merlot – Hawk’s Flight Reserve
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $33.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
A blend of hand selected dried cabernet sauvignon grapes with merlot, and aged in French oak barrels. Another crowd pleaser, this is quite smooth with dark raisin and cherry aromas and flavours that are concentrated. There’s a mineral finish to it and flavours of coffee bean. Just 60 cases produced.
Sprucewood Shores Hawk’s Flight Reserve – Appassimento
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $40.00 |
SCORE: 89 |
Arguably the winery’s most premium offering, this appassimento style wine is produced by hand selecting the finest fruit, then slow drying for over three months at a controlled temperature. The result is a big and bold red that’s soft and velvety smooth on the palate. Flavours of fig, raisins, rich red cherry and plum envelope the mouth. There’s even notes of chocolate and vanilla that add to the overall complexity. Despite labelled as dry, this is a touch sweet for my liking, but that’s to be expected when you’re dealing with dried grapes. Alcohol is generous at 15%. Consumer pleasing. Price point is fair.

VIEWPOINTE ESTATE WINERY
Sitting on the shores of Lake Erie, Viewpointe boasts one of the great panoramic views of Ontario. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting under the patio pavilion before taking a stroll across the lakeside lawn.
ViewPointe Old 18A Rosé
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $17.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
A French style rosé that’s light in body with strawberry fruit and savoury notes. There’s no oak aging on this wine at all, and residual sugar is kept in check at just 5.6g/L. The finish is refreshingly dry. A perfect pairing for barbecued chicken.
ViewPointe Merlot Cabernet
VINTAGE: 2012 |
PRICE: $24.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is a blend of merlot (52%), cabernet sauvignon (41%) and cabernet franc (7%) from a vintage that saw a hailstorm pass through during the growing season, selectively wiping out one full side of the vineyard block while leaving the opposite side untouched. The fruit that remained went on to ripen with great promise, and so, here we are with this single vineyard, very smooth and elegant cab merlot. Aged in new French oak, this has had its fair share of time to soften and coax all those drying fruit flavours and subtle spices and smoky notes. No need to sit on this, it’s ready now.
ViewPointe Cabernet Franc
VINTAGE: 2012 |
PRICE: $19.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
This spent time in both used and in new French oak for two years, and furthermore, rested in bottle for another two years before hitting retail. It’s light to medium bodied with dark fruit on the palate. This wine is perhaps testing its limits now. I’m guessing it has seen its best days come and go (probably more in its prime in 2018/19). Nevertheless, it’s always a treat to taste wines from a great vintage.
ViewPointe Surfside Syrah Cabernet
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $15.95 |
SCORE: 91 |
One thing to note about this blend of 55 percent syrah and the rest equal parts cabernet franc and cab sauv, is that the qualified amount of 85 percent is from the 2016 vintage, with the remainder – notably the syrah – coming from other years dating back to 2012 and even including 2017 and 2018 fruit. That said, this is a very smooth and flavourful wine, with a good backbone of acidity to keep it together. It’s juicy with dark fruit, and savoury on the finish with a hint of black pepper. The value here is incredible.

VIVACE ESTATE WINERY
Named for a classical music term meaning ‘lively’, Vivace is a focused winery, producing just 3,000 cases per year – all wines are made using estate-grown fruit (aside from their Icewine). With just under 12 acres of vines planted, this small winery is quite intent on showcasing some of the region’s best qualities when it comes to varietal winemaking.
Vivace Chardonnay
VINTAGE: 2016 |
PRICE: $14.95 |
SCORE: 90 |
This is an unoaked expression of chardonnay that’s quite pleasant with its flavour profile and smooth and elegant mouthfeel. I get notes of pineapple and additional tropical flavours along with a hint of butterscotch. The finish is clean and fresh. Very good value.
Vivace ‘Arietta’ Vidal
VINTAGE: NV |
PRICE: $14.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
An off-dry alternative to the more traditional vidal blanc. Notes of apricot, pear and honeycomb are easily identifiable and the finish is good and long. Its 20 g/L of residual sugar wouldn’t normally be an issue here, but for me, it comes across a bit too sweet. Needs more acidic balance.
Vivace ‘Brilliante’ Rosé
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $13.95 |
SCORE: 88 |
Crafted from a blend of vidal grapes, this is a smooth textured rosé with delicate aromas and flavours of summer berries, citrus and melon fruit. It finishes savoury and off-dry with added notes of brambled fruit and sweet herbs. Nicely done.
Vivace ‘Etude’ Marechal Foch
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $15.00 |
SCORE: 88 |
A deep ruby coloured wine that carries subtle hints of oak with aromas of spice, cherry and blackberry. The palate is warm and dry with a sweet and hot combination on the finish courtesy of its spiced cherry and earthy flavours. Acidity is well balanced.
Vivace ‘Sonatina’ Marquette
VINTAGE: 2018 |
PRICE: $17.95 |
SCORE: 87 |
This marquette is loaded with black fruit aromas that pull you in immediately. The palate, however, carries cherry flavours that come across as slightly sour. The finish is all about the red berry fruits – bright and fresh. Perhaps not the expression of marquette I was expecting, but nevertheless an interesting wine to experience.
Vivace ‘Old Barn Reserve’ Meritage
VINTAGE: 2012 |
PRICE: $23.00 |
SCORE: 91 |
This is a blend of three noble grape varieties, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. The nose is wonderfully complex with its deep bodied aromas of dark berry fruit, milk chocolate and a detection of leafy vegetation. The palate echoes those deep aromas and carries a finely grained tannic presence on a mouthfeel that’s soft and not empowering. Flavours of currants, tobacco and chocolate are nicely interwoven. A beautiful wine, and for a steal of a price.
Vivace Baco Noir
VINTAGE: 2017 |
PRICE: $21.00 |
SCORE: 91 |
Baco Noir can generally feel like a take it or leave kind of varietal. Usually a sweeter wine (in the off-dry category), it can either taste sweet and dull or it can take on a very balanced profile that leaves one forgetting or not even noticing the higher levels of residual sugar. This one has 22 g/L of RS to be exact, but you’d be challenged to notice it. The acidities here strike the right balance which is so key here. It’s smooth and silky on the palate, with vanilla notes, mixed berries and plum flavours. It’s a layered, nicely complex wine. The best expression of baco I’ve tasted in the region.
Vivace ‘Cavatina’ Dessert Wine
VINTAGE: Multi-Vintage |
PRICE: $12.00 |
SCORE: 93 |
Cavatina is a sweet wine, made in a style similar to Port wine. It’s the product of foch grapes, fortified with Canadian spirits, and sweetened with the juice of iced foch grapes. It is then barrel aged for six years. The result is a dense coloured, silky soft and rich tasting wine that consists of flavours that will leave your taste buds singing with joy. Notes of almond, caramel and drying luscious dark fruits coat the palate. You’ll never notice its 157 g/L of residual sugar and 19.5% ABV. Just pour this during your next special occasion and pair it with rich cheeses, then listen for the shouts of praise and approval.

I wish to express my sincere thanks to the proprietors, winemakers and marketing personnel of Essex County, Ontario (otherwise known as Ontario’s Lake Erie North Shore region) who welcomed me in and sat with me, sharing their story and explaining their wines. It’s been tremendous learning experience that I won’t soon forget. Thank you. – CG
Photos for this report were supplied by Tourism Windsor Essex Pele Island, Wine Country Ontario, and of course, taken by us while on our tour. The main cover photo overlooking Pelee Island Winery was taken by Jon Gillies of Iron Street Studio.