Trailblazing women brewers and winemakers in Ontario

Niagara Region

Lydia Tomek, Head Winemaker, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery

At just 23 years old, Lydia Tomek became one of the youngest winemakers at the time in Canada. After completing her degree in the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University, she demonstrated her talent and expertise at several wineries.

Tomek brings her passionate, sustainable and innovative approach to Ravine's red, white, Icewine and peach, apple and pear ciders collection.

Book a wine tasting tour to discover your favourite flavours.

Location: 1366 York Road, St. Davids

Kelly Mason, Head Winemaker, Domaine Queylus

After interning under a Burgundian winemaker in Napa Valley, studying winemaking at Brock University and working at several wineries in the Niagara Peninsula, Kelly Mason joined the team at Domaine Queylus where she has refined the production of elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

In addition, Mason crafts exceptional small-batch, low-intervention wines at her own Mason Vineyard.

Tasting experiences at Domaine Queylus include flights and wine by the glass.

Location: 3651 Sixteen Road, Saint Anns

Emma Garner, Winemaker, Thirty Bench

Emma Garner found her way to Thirty Bench, a small-lot winery on the Niagara Escarpment's Beamsville Bench, after gaining winemaking experience in Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany, and completing Brock University’s Oenology and Viticulture program.

With Garner at the helm, Thirty Bench has earned gold and platinum at both national and international competitions, making it one of the most decorated wineries in Canada. And Garner herself has claimed the distinction of Ontario Winemaker of the Year.

In addition to wine tasting, vineyard experiences include the Winemakers Sample Selection.

Location: 4281 Mountainview Road, Beamsville

Katie Dickieson, Winemaker, Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant

Katie Dickieson credits her appreciation for agriculture and her love of the harvest season to growing up on a farm.

After majoring in Food Science at the University of Guelph, she developed her winemaking skills during travels to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, vineyards in New Zealand and the Rhone Valley in France. Since taking on the winemaker role at Peller Estates, Dickieson has led the winery to several awards, including Winery of the Year.

Check out Peller’s monthly feature for the Winemaker’s pics, favourites and new recommendations and book tours, tastings and other experiences at Peller Estates.

Location: 290 John Street East, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Dianne Smith, Winemaker, GreenLane Estate Winery

Dianne Smith brings her passion and expertise to crafting unique and sophisticated vintages using sustainable biodynamic and organic practices at GreenLake Estates, a Niagara Benchlands winery along the Niagara Escarpment.

Smith’s credentials include a Viticulture and Winemaking certification from Niagara College and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Geology from McGill University and the University of South Florida.

Visit this picturesque country property to savour a glass of wine.

Location: 3751 King Street, Vineland

Sue-Ann Staff, Owner and Winemaker, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

Fifth-generation grape grower Sue-Ann Staff has won numerous national and international awards, including Ontario Winemaker of the Year.

Her family knowledge, formal training from around the world and innate passion and pleasure for the land and its bounty make her one of Canada’s brightest stars in the industry. She runs her family’s 200+-year-old winery estate, perched on the Niagara Escarpment in Jordan.

Famous for her Icewines, Sue-Ann Staff’s Fancy Farm Girl series includes a flamboyant red, a frivolous white and a foxy rosé.  

Fun and informative wine tasting experiences are offered daily.

Location: 3210 Staff Avenue, Jordan Station

Amélie Boury, Vice President, Winemaking, Vineyard and Operations, Château des Charmes

Amélie Boury brought her cool-climate winemaking expertise from Alsace, France, to Canada in 2011, eventually settling in the Niagara Region. She holds dual M.Sc. degrees: one in biotechnology from Institut Sup’Biotech de Paris and another in viticulture and enology from the University of Montpellier.

Her passion and innovation led her to the helm at Château des Charmes, a renowned multi-generational Ontario winery established by French winegrowers.

A variety of tasting and tours are available to reserve in advance of your visit.

Location: 1025 York Road, St. Davids

Angela Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, Co-Proprietors, Two Sisters Vineyards

Siblings Angela Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli run Two Sisters Vineyards, a vast estate located at the northern tip of the Niagara River featuring dining, tasting and tours.

The estate covers almost 25 hectares and grows Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. A curated collection of wines and Italian-inspired cuisine make this a delightful destination for wine lovers.

Curated experiences include tasting flights in the wine boutique and in-depth vineyard tours.

Location: 240 John Street East, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Robin Ridesic, Founder and CEO, Exchange Brewery

An avid beer enthusiast, Robin Ridesic has a special appreciation for oppy IPAs and sour ales.

In historic downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, Exchange Brewery celebrates unique beers in the heart of Ontario’s most established wine country.

The tasting room features a selection of beers from traditional to niche on tap and a delicious menu with shareables, sandwiches and pizza.

Brewery tours are available to book.

Location: 7 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Southeastern Ontario

Mackenzie Brisbois, Winemaker, Trail Estate Winery

Mackenzie Brisbois graduated in Arts and Science at the University of Guelph, completed the Winery and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College, travelled and worked at wineries in Ontario, British Columbia, New Zealand and South Africa before returning to her roots in Prince Edward County.

She directs her collective experience into the production of flavourful Chardonnay, Riesling and sparkling wines perfectly suited for the local terroir with minimal intervention at Trail Estate Winery.

The white Pét Nat (pétillant naturel or naturally sparkling) is described as a lightly aromatic and exotically spiced wine, perfect for a Canadian summer.

Visit for tasting flights, tours and weekend fondues in the winter!

Location: 416 Benway Road, Hillier

Sherry Karlo, Founder and Estate Vintner, Karlo Estates Winery

A sustainable winery in southwest Prince Edward Country, Karlo Estates is the world’s first vegan-certified winery, established as such in 2008.

Sherry Karlo and her late husband, Richard Karlo, founded the Estates and built the winery into an award-winning, critically acclaimed business. Sherry Karlo serves as the Estate’s Vintner and curates a unique, artisanal collection of hand-harvested, naturally fermented wines with minimal intervention.

Exceptionally difficult, a Sextus is when the six old-world varieties are all incorporated into one bottle. Considered a ‘unicorn’ wine for how rare this is, Karlo has achieved the holy grail of wine.

Wine tasting experiences are held in the historic post and beam barn.

Location: 561 Danforth Road, Wellington

Catherine Langlois, Founder and Winemaker, Sandbanks Estate Winery

One of the original Prince Edward County vineyards, Sandbanks Estates was established back in 2001 on the scenic shores of Lake Ontario with a vision to create fruit-forward approachable wines that reflect the rural essence of the County.

Propelled by her passion for good wine and a love of the land, she put her viticulture studies and experience working in France’s Burgundy vineyards to good use and planted a variety of grapevines, including Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Sandbanks Winery was purchased by Areterra Wines Canada in 2020.

Long-standing favourites include full-bodied reds and crisp whites. Current features are the French Kiss, a Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend and their Shoreline white, a perfect Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio varietal.

Make reservations at the tasting boutique.

Location: 17598 Loyalist Parkway, Wellington

Southwestern Ontario

Allison Christ, Winemaker, Colio Estate Wines

Armed with an Honours BSc in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Windsor, Allison Christ gained experience at small-batch vineyards and large winery operations before joining the award-winning team at Colio Estates in Southwestern Ontario’s picturesque wine country.

She blends approachable reds, a beautifully balanced Sauvignon Blanc and traditional method sparkling wines.

Choose from fun and unconventional series like the fruit-forward, flavoured ‘Girl’s Night Out’ or easy-sippers like Backroads or Hopetown wines.

Location: 1 Colio Drive, Harrow 

Tanya Mitchell, Vice President and Winemaker, Sprucewood Shores

Armed with a Chemical Engineering degree from McMaster University, Tanya Mitchell embarked on a global journey to hone her winemaking expertise, drawing inspiration from diverse vineyards and traditions.

Since joining the Sprucewood team, she has become known for crafting versatile and balanced wines, a reflection of her dedication to quality and innovation.

Visit Sprucewood to enjoy tours, food and wine paring, beach picnics and lovely lakefront views.

Location: 7258 Essex County Road 50 RR #5, Amherstburg

Northeastern Ontario

Andrea Smith and Eleanor Charlton, Founders, Split Rail Brewing Co.

What started as a brewing project in a garage has blossomed into a successful, small-batch craft brewery on Manitoulin Island with a taproom, patio and retail sales outlet.

Under the direction of owners Charlton and Smith, Split Rail produces quality beer and soda using local, hand-picked ingredients, such as hawberries in the Hawberry Ale and Black Soda and grapes and sumac in the Grape Sumac Soda.

Enjoy a refreshing beverage on the patio and inquire in advance about brewery tours.

Location: 31 Water Street, Gore Bay

Greater Toronto Area

Mary Beth Keefe, Head Brewer, Granite Brewery

Granite Brewery, founded in Toronto in 1991 by Halifax natives and brothers Ron and Kevin Keefe, has been a bug for craft beer lovers ever since.

In 2011, Mary Beth Keefe followed in her father’s footsteps to become head brewer, blending innovation with tradition by crafting bold new flavours alongside Granite’s signature English-style ales.

Visit Tied House Brewpub for an English-style meal with your favourite Granite beer.

Location: 245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto