Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
A vineyard in the Niagara Peninsula synonymous with history and gastronomy
Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery is a beautiful Victorian property built in 1885 by William Dennis Kitchen. This area covers 32 hectares and is located on the name “Niagara Escarpment“.
Its wine history began in 2000 while Norman Beal bought this property and decided to transform it into a ” winery “. To do this he planted over 17 hectares of vineyards, then renovated the Victorian house in red brick and built a winery building in order to make wine and raise the wine. 
Shortly after, anxious for Peninsula Ridge Winery to be recognized as place for lifestyle, he decided to open a restaurant (William D. Kitchen House) in which local products are crafted by a talented chef . Room service is also available to guests.
The property is specialized in wines from the Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, but also in chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.
If you’re in the area I recommend you stop there not only for the view which is beautiful, but as well for the architecture.
Where does the name of Peninsula Ridge Winery comes from?
Simply the “Niagara Peninsula” is the designation and the geography of the winery which is located on a “ridge” (peak / hill).
What is the Niagara Peninsula?
The Niagara Peninsula is a wine region located between lakes Ontario, Erie, the Niagara River and the City of Hamilton. This region has over 13,600 hectares of vineyards which makes it the largest acreage of Canada. It annually produces 65% of the wine production in the region of Ontario (Ontario VQA). It is characterized by a rich and fertile soil, but also by a particularly favorable microclimate agriculture. This is also why the fruit growing and the viticulture are very present in the region. This region is particularly renowned for the quality of these wines, its Pinot Noirs, its Riesling and its Chardonnay. It is divided into two regional appellations (Niagara Escarpment, Niagara-on -the-lake). They are divided into 10 sub-appellations (Beamsville, Shores Creek, Four Mile Creek, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara River, Short Hills Bench, St. David’s Bench, Twenty Mile Bench and Vinemount Ridge). 
If you’re in the area do not hesitate to take the “Wine Route“. It will give you a good idea of the best that this region produces.
What is the specific microclimate of the Niagara Peninsula?
Two huge lakes, Erie and Ontario are connected by the Niagara River. Ontario by its scope and Erie to a lesser extent plays an important role in terms of thermal control during seasonal changes. Indeed the summertime it will delay the growing season by lowering the temperature environment through its icy waters. Conversely autumn / early winter permits to its warmer waters than the outside air to control temperature and to have dates later harvest and thus optimum maturity. 
But that’s not all! Niagara Falls also have a significant influence on the climate of the region allowing, the uneven development of “small” microclimates within the Niagara Peninsula. This includes acting as a “windproof” and promoting good air circulation which helps regulate temperature and reduce the risk of freezing in winter.
What do you find in the soils of the Niagara Peninsula?
The soils of this region are of great diversity. They include silts, clays, shales, sands but also on a few well-circumscribed limestone and sandstone areas. This large range of soil allows the exploitation of many varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or white vidal.
Side anecdote:
For the record the estate was created in 1790 by William W. Kitchen, a loyalist to the crown of England who fled the newly independent United States. However it was not until 1885 that the building of the Neo-Victorian style we know today was built by William Dennis Kitchen, grand-son of William W. Kitchen at the site of the original house. Today this house is classified as “historic building” because of its historical and architectural interest (neo- Victorian but also with French and Canadian keys).
Thanks to the host team.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
5600 King Street West Beamsville,
Ontario L0R 1B0 Municipality Town of Lincoln
