Oak Heights Estate Winery breaks new ground
In 1997 when Ian Fraser bought a 100-acre farm in Ontario East’s Northumberland Hills, he had no intention of turning it into a vineyard and winery. After all, Prince Edward County, arguably the hottest wine region in the country, lies to the south.
But when the well-traveled entrepreneur – and wine lover – discovered that his farm had all the ingredients needed to create a successful wine operation, he didn’t have to think twice. He sourced and bought high quality grapes, remodeled the barn into a winery and hired a winemaker experienced in cool climate viticulture.
From a one-acre plot in 2000, Oak Heights Estate Winery has grown to 26 acres of vines that produce 6,000 cases a year of award-winning wines that include Chardonnays, Cabernets, Merlots and Sauvignon Blancs. The winery also runs tours and hosts special events and tastings with food pairings designed by a consulting chef.
“We’re attracting thousands of visitors a year,” says Fraser. “We’re the only winery in Northumberland, but I don’t think we will be for long now that it looks like this county has the potential to become a successful boutique wine region.”
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