Vineyards
Vineyards
The location of our vineyards in the designated viticultural area of the Niagara Escarpment is the essence of the identity of our wines. The much-heralded growing area of the Bench of the Niagara Escarpment experiences the warmth of the lake effect from nearby Lake Ontario and allows for natural drainage, ensuring that formidable concentration and acid levels are achieved.
The centerpiece of our Escarpment plantings is the 75 acre St. Urban Vineyard, located on the winery property. This vineyard showcases the Weis 21 Riesling clone, brought to Canada by the winery’s founder, Hermann Weis and planted in 1979, ‘80 and ‘81. Hailing from the Mosel in Germany, Weis was an experienced grape grower who knew exactly what would grow successfully in the Niagara Region.
Our plantings also include the nearby 90-acre Bo-Teek Vineyard and 40-acre Greenlane Vineyard. Forty percent of the winery’s production comes from single vineyards, and 80 percent from the estate grown fruit of our 170 acres under vine. The winery also works with a number of local independent growers with vineyards on the Niagara Escarpment. Estate vineyards are overseen by our vineyard consultant, Roman Prydatkewycz, who has many years of experience growing his own grapes in Niagara.
Roman Prydatkewycz, Vineyard Viticulturist, Vineland Estates Winery
We are privileged to have a wonderful vineyard crew led by a pioneer in the industry,
Born in the Ukraine, Roman's family immigrated to Brazil when he was a young boy. As a teenager Roman's family moved to Hamilton, Ontario. After many years of working in the food processing industry, a friend suggested he invest in some land on the Niagara Escarpment. After much careful thought, he did just that and began his second career as a winegrower. Roman and wife Sophie Prydatkewycz owned and operated their 26 acre vineyard on the Beamsville Bench, a preferred site for growing grapes nestled against the Niagara Escarpment, known as Rosomel Vineyard.
Roman's ability to recognize the varieties that are best suited for this area have made Rosomel Vineyard a bench mark for quality of grapes we expect. Roman has joined our Vineland Family as Vineyard Vititculturist. With his many years of experience in this region we recognize the importance of quality grapes in order to produce great quality wines.