Queenston Mile Vineyard photo

During the autumn to winter transition last year Niagara-on-the-Lake’s newest winery Queenston Mile Vineyard opened. The sister-winery to Creekside, it has the same winemaking team but a different focus with the Queenston estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as sparkling being the winery’s m.o. If you’ve enjoyed the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Creekside has dabbled in the past few years, it’s probably worth a trip this summer as the grapes came from this vineyard and the wines are in the same capable hands of Creekside winemaker Rob Power.

Michael Di Caro photo

Alvento, the quirky off-the-beaten-path Vineland winery, known for its Cabernet and Merlot-based blends as well as one of two Niagara wineries to grow and make wine from Borolo’s signature Nebbiolo, was resurrected late last fall. Most thought the winery was dead after being dormant for the past six years, but it got the defibrillator treatment thanks to a purchase by new owners the Zhang family who owned a peach farm in the area, but dreamed of getting into the wine business. They’ve given the retail space a makeover and hired Marc Pistor, who consults at many Niagara wineries and has quietly built a cult follow for the Riesling and Cab Franc of his own Foglar label, to make the wines.

Vitis Magazine

Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to Ontario’s rapidly evolving wine culture.