Wonders of Wine and Food

Trius Winery at Hillebrand
Niagara on the Lake

Located in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake this winery is one of Canada's leading VQA producers. Makers of Trius wines. One of the pioneer wineries in the development of Canada's icewines. In 1995, they were the first Canadian winery to receive highest honors with the Pichon Longeuville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy (Best Red Wine in the World) at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Owned by Andre Peller Peller Wines Ltd

Andrew Peller established Andrés Wines Ltd., the youngest of the large Canadian wineries in Port Moody, B.C. in 1961. he name Andrés was chosen as the closest to Andrew Peller's baptismal name 'Andreas', but with a French flair. In 1964, winery operations were established in Calgary, Alberta and in Truro, Nova Scotia. In 1970 Andrés entered the Ontario market with the purchase of Beau Chatel Wines in Winona. In 1974 Andrés moved into Quebec with the founding of Les Vins Andrés in St. Hyacinthe. In 1975 Andrés purchased the Valley Rouge Winery located in Morris, Manitoba. The Manitoba location closed in 1992 and in 1994 Andrés acquired Hillebrand Estates Winery, Canada's largest producer of VQA and premium wines, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Hillebrand originally opened in 1979. They were among the first to produce icewine beginning in 1983. Years years Hillebrand reputation for producing quality wines grew. It became one of the most visited winery in the Niagara Region. In 2012 they changed the name from Hillebrand winery to Trius at Hillebrand

Dr. Joseph Pohorly was one of the first winery owners in Niagara. He founded Newark Winery in the Village of Virgil in 1979, one of the three original cottage wineries that opened in Niagara in the '70s and laid the foundation for the growth of the new Ontario wine industry. Joseph himself was no stranger to wines. Born in Vineland, Ontario, he began life as a farmer's son and learned how to grow grapes and other fruit crops from an early age, gaining an appreciation and knowledge of the land, of our geography and climate, and of the unique characteristics that make this viticultural area special.
They opened the first underground wine cellar in 1991 for the production of sparkling wines. In 1991 they introduced the Truis series of wines.

Food and wine experiences are plentiful, and Trius Winery at Hillebrand boasts the first and one of the finest, Winery Restaurants in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Several ongoing dinner series' fill the year with epicurean delight. Experiences include the Longest Table Dinner, Trius Red Barrel Cellar Dinners, the annual Icewinemaker's Dinner and the Harvest Table Dining Series.

Australian born Craig McDonald leads the winemaking team. believing that winemaking starts in the vineyard, Craig looks to our fertile land to inspire and guide his "hands-on" winemaking style: “Being in tune with the vineyard and adapting to the specific growing season is fundamental to our winemaking. Only when we have attained this synchronicity can we then add our personal touch.” -
The winery offers some very interesting behind the scenes tours
Awards and aculeates far too many to even mention

The Reif Estate Winery
Niagara-on-the-Lake

There is a long and rich history at the Reif. It is one of the founding Family wineries of the Niagara. Ewald Reif established the vineyards in 1977; opening their doors in 1982. In 1988 Klaus W. Reif moves to Canada to take over the reigns. Robert Parker Jr. put 1987 Vidal Icewine on his top ten wine list.

Klaus Reif's philosophy that "great wines start in the vineyard" is the cornerstone of the quality and integrity of Reif Estate wines. This belief, partnered with a commitment to produce predominantly estate bottled wines from our 125 acre vineyard, has provided our winemaker Roberto DiDomenico with the tools to produce world renowned wines.

Reif Estate Winery has a rich history in Icewine production as a pioneer with their first vintage of Vidal Icewine produced in 1984. This 10 acre vineyard block on their 125 acre estate is still used today to produce internationally acclaimed Vidal Icewine.

Their many awards include 1997 Tesoro takes Gold at International Wine & Spirit Competition. 2002 Best Canadian Winery at Wine & Spirit International Competition. 2004 Vidal Icewine is Wine of the year at Ontario Wine Awards. Klaus W. Reif receives Lifetime achievement award from Ontario Wine Society in 2010 and the list goes on.

The estate includes a Wine Sensory Garden and cellar dinning. Their wedding facilities are among the best in Ontario.