Niagara's Top 10 Wineries to Visit — #8 Ravine Vineyard

We’re three deep into my list of the Top 10 Niagara wineries to visit.

No. 9. was Back 10

Now we arrive at No. 8 — Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery

Wm. Woodruff House, originally built in 1802 and then rebuilt after being burned down during War of 1812, is home to Ravine’s tasting room.

Sometimes it’s about the stories as much as the wine. Sometimes it’s about both. Winemaker Lydia Tomek, who joined the team last fall after stints at Hernder Estates and Burning Kiln, makes superb wine, and really embraces Riesling and Cab Franc in particular—those two varieties that Niagara’s climate and terroir produce best.

But then you’ll also hear great things about Ravine’s Chardonnays and even their pear cider! Hell, they even have a honey program (a collaboration between the farm and B&E Honey Fields in Niagara-on-the-Lake).

But if the walls could talk….

David Secord (the namesake of the Niagara-on-the-Lake community of St. Davids, where the winery is located, and the uncle to the famed Laura Secord) originally built the striking Wm. Woodruff House on the property in 1802. After it was burned down by fleeing American troops during the War of 1812, Secord rebuilt the classic white structure around the original fireplace and chimney. Considered one of Canada’s Top-50 most architecturally significant ancestral homes, it now plays home to the tasting room (in non-pandemic times anyway).

As for the winery and its owners, as the website notes, “Norma Jane (Lowrey) Harber grew up on this farm and has always been sensitive to the subtleties of its terrain. Ever since her great-grandfather David Jackson Lowrey bought the upper farm in 1867, it has been a source of pride for the Lowrey family. In a gesture of respect for the land and the family, and to keep it free from imminent urban development, the family built the Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery. The land was happy when Norma Jane’s ancestors grew the ripest cherries, pears, peaches, grapes, plums and vegetables in the peninsula.” The organic vineyard seems pretty happy producing great wine grapes too.

For visitors, this is very cozy environment—you can munch on everything from charcuterie to lamb shanks and shop at a little grocery store on site. But there’s also an elegant event space, in case you’re looking for a spot in Niagara-on-the-Lake to stage a wedding or corporate function.

Ravine winemaker Lydia Tomek (I stole this shot from her Facebook page.)

The $15 tasting fee is pretty low, and is waived with a $40+ purchase (although indoor tastings are currently halted due to the pandemic, and pricing may vary.)

And back to winemaker Tomek. Did I mention that she’s into art, science, music? Or that she’s a huge community supporter? Or that she’s a black belt in Shotokan Karate?

Suffice it to say that if Ravine were a book, it would be one hell of a page-turner.

Check out all of TheLushLife.ca’s Top 10 Niagara Wineries:

#1: Domaine Queylus

#2. Creekside

#3. Tawse

#4. Kacaba

#5. Southbrook

#6. Vineland

#7. Colaneri

#8. Ravine

#9. Back 10

#10. Malivoire