Pelee Island Winery

Ontario, Canada

From the humble beginnings of J.S. Hamilton & Company in Brantford, Ontario, to the present-day Pelee Island Winery, the journey of winemaking and sustainability has been a remarkable one. It all started with Joshua S. Hamilton, a visionary in the wine marketing world, who ventured into the grocery business and eventually formed J.S. Hamilton & Company when his partner, Dunlop, retired in 1877.

Hamilton’s passion for winemaking led him to establish a new company, the Pelee Island Wine & Vineyard Co., Ltd., which paved the way for the construction of a magnificent 3-storey Wine House at the West Dock on Pelee Island. Tragically, this iconic structure was destroyed by fire in 1935, marking a significant setback for the company.

.

.

However, the spirit of winemaking on Pelee Island could not be extinguished. In 1979, Walter Strehn breathed new life into the island by purchasing land and resurrecting vineyards. This resurgence culminated in the establishment of the Pelee Island Vineyards Company in 1982, marking a turning point in the island’s winemaking history.

Today, Pelee Island Winery continues to captivate the world with the unique terroir of the Canadian South Islands sub-appellation. Through the cultivation of Vinifera varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Merlot, the winery showcases the essence of the region.

With a rich history spanning back to the first grape plantings in 1854, Pelee Island Winery embraces sustainability and a sense of place in everything it does. The commitment to quality and authenticity is reflected in the meticulous craftsmanship of each wine, lovingly created by a dedicated team of winemakers and viticulturists.

.

.

Environmental stewardship is at the forefront of Pelee Island Winery’s ethos. With over 700 acres of vineyards under its care, the winery has complete control over its grape supply, enabling strict adherence to sustainable vineyard practices outlined by the World Wildlife Fund. This includes limited and controlled pesticide use and the utilization of a 100% island-grown natural fertilizer. As a founding member of Sustainable Winemaking Ontario, Pelee Island Winery is committed to enhancing the environment through sustainable practices in both the winery and vineyards.

Looking to the future, Pelee Island Winery has bold ambitions to become North America’s greenest community. With investments in renewable energies, recycling programs, water treatment facilities, composting initiatives, bio-dynamic sewage systems, and organic farming, the winery is determined to lead the way in environmental safety and inspire others to follow suit.

.

.

The winery’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond the vineyards, as it plans to embark on a five-year study to rehabilitate the surrounding forest. Surrounded by vineyards, beaches, and water, Pelee Island Winery envisions a future where eco-friendly practices harmoniously coexist with the natural beauty of the island.

Pelee Island Winery invites wine enthusiasts to embark on a journey that transcends the glass, celebrating not only exceptional wines but also a commitment to the environment. With each sip, guests become part of a sustainable legacy that surpasses expectations and beckons them to return, time and time again.

.

Video: Pelee Island Winery

Pelee's Wines

  • Pelee Island Winery Vidal Icewine

    Vidal

  • Pelee Island Winery Semi Sweet Merlot

    Merlot

  • Pelee Island Winery Cabernet Franc

    Cabernet Franc

  • Pelee Island Winery Pinot Grigio

    Chardonnay - Pinot Gris

  • Pelee Island Winery Reserve Pinot Noir

    Pinot Noir

STAR GUIDE NORTH AMERICA

Walter Scott Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Salem,…

Bergström Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Dundee, USA…

Mason Vineyard Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Niagara,…

Hirsch Vineyards Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice California,…

Corison Winery Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice St…

Cloudsley Cellars Awarded By: Benoît Lefèvre Renée Sferrazza…

Bachelder Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Niagara, Canada…

Mariana Gil Juncal WIA Ambassador Argentina Mariana Gil Juncal is a Spaniard born in Argentina who lives in Buenos Aires, the daughter of a Galician father and a Buenos Aires mother. She is a specialist in social communication, journalist, and Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers.…

Kristy Wenz WIA Ambassador USA Kristy Wenz is a wine and travel writer, educator, and communicator currently based in Chicago. She holds a Level 3 certification from the Wines & Spirits Education Trust. Kristy combines her communications skills with her passion and expertise for wine, travel and culture. She focuses…

Lucia Palm WIA Ambassador USA Lucia Palm is a certified sommelier and wine educator who runs her successful social media brand Lucialoveswine on both Instagram and TikTok, where she recommends quality wines on a budget in tandem with providing wine education to her over 170,000 followers. . Lucia first fell…

Lea Gatinois WIA Ambassador France Lea Gatinois is a 28 years old wine entrepreneur. She grew up in Bordeaux and moved to Switzerland at 18 to complete a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. After working for two years in marketing for a retailer company…

Michelle Carlín WIA Ambassador Mexico Wine Educator Michelle Carlín is a Wine Writer and Wine Content Creator for Social Media. She is an IWC Mexico Ambassador, Judge at Global Wine El Conocedor Magazine, Board Member and Member of the Mexican Sommelier Association, Sommelier at DO Ribera del Duero and Wine…

Francisca Marzá WIA Ambassador Chile Francisca Marzá discovered her vocation for wine in 2014. Graduated in Business Administration of the Wine Industry and a post degree in Chilean Wine at the Catholic University of Chile and additional studies as a sommelier at the Wine Institute. Content creator, communicator, and…

Elena Palmerini WIA Ambassador Tuscany, Italy Born in Tuscany among the waves and the masks of Viareggio Carnival, Elena Palmerini spent years travelling around the world. She was about 22 years old when she reached international success in the mixology sphere and she decided to go for the search for…

Susan R Lin WIA Ambassador USA Susan is a Master of Wine, her joy is to create memorable experiences through wine and the performing arts. Susan is the Head of Wine Expertise for online fine wine retailer Belmont Wine Exchange in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she collaborates with…

Alexia Hupin WIA Ambassador France Alexia Hupin DipWSET is a French wine educator, blogger, community manager and copywriter living in Provence, the land of rosé. She has always been passionate about wine, memorizing regions and appellations during family gatherings. She worked in hospitality events for 5 years but she decided…

Cornelia Becker (Corni) WIA Ambassador Austria  Cornelia Becker (also called Corni for short) is a wine blogger, passionate about Austrian wineries and wines. She was born in 1978 and lives in Lower Austria with her family. As many other experts, she is convinced that Austrian wines have excellent quality and can definitely compete…

Ian Green WIA Ambassador UK Located in the heart of the beautiful English wine region of Sussex, Ian Green is a wine enthusiast and content creator whose mission is to break down the barriers to wine and to make it more approachable and accessible to all. . Ian’s passion for…

 Ivan Vellucci  WIA Ambassador    Italy Ivan Vellucci is 53 years old, he writes for an online wine magazine. He is an engineer and a manager before being a sommelier. He works as marketing director in a high-profile automotive company in Italy in the luxury segment. He is a wine fan and…

STAR GUIDE LAtin america

Don Giovanni Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Pinto…

Bodegas Lopez Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Mendoza,…

Bodegas RE Winery Star Wine Leaders’ Choice Casablanca…

Pulenta Estate Awarded By: Karla and André Baader…

Wine Styles

Share.