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The wineries:Peller Estates Winery, Lailey Vineyard, Reif Estate Winery, Inniskillin Winery.
The picturesque Niagara Parkway winds along this narrow band that borders the Niagara River. Vines dig deep into the well drained sandy soils and air currents from the river moderate temperatures and help protect vineyards from damaging spring or fall frosts. The reddish-hued soils also tend to warm earlier in the spring. Tender grape varieties thrive.
Inniskillin was one of the first wineries to produce Icewine in the region. The greatest of international accolades for Canadian Icewine was bestowed on Inniskillin 1989 Icewine at Vinexpo, Bordeaux, in June 1991. This wine, judged by an international panel, was accorded the fair’s highest award, Le Grand Prix d’Honneur.
With some of Canada's oldest vines, completely hand-picked crops, and the first-in-the-world release of a commercial wine aged in Canadian Oak, Lailey Vineyards has long paid attention to creating distinctly local flavours in their wines. The same goes for their Icewines, which have received rave reviews and awards throughout the world.
Peller Estates Winery produces Icewines that have gained global recognition, including Vidal, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc Icewines and have received recognition in the Wine Spectator. Peller Estates Icewine was recently awarded the Best Icewine Trophy at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, England for 2007. For Peller Estates Icewine, temperatures must be –10ºC or colder, grapes must be frozen on the vine and hand picked in the middle of the night.
Reif Estate Winery is home to some of the oldest Vidal Icewine vineyard blocks in Ontario. Reif’s twenty-five year old Icewine vineyard is located in the heart of the Niagara on its 125-acre estate. Their award-winning Icewine showcases not only the terroir of Reif’s estate, but also their philosophy that great wine starts in the vineyard.
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