16 Mile Cellar
St. Catharines, Ontario
Vaughan - July 31st, 2022 - On that beautiful Saturday in April as my mom and I drove back home from Buffalo, New York, we decided that we couldn’t drive through wine country without making a pit stop for a bottle of vino to bring home and enjoy. Now you all know that I frequent the Niagara region due to my extreme enjoyment of wine culture in general, as well as learning about smaller winemakers and local vineyards - so, this time I wanted to try something new. I did a quick Google search and found 16 Mile Cellar which was rated well and was only open on Saturdays. It was fate, right!?
The drive to 16 Mile Cellar from our earlier pit stop at St. Catharines Farmers’ Market was an easy 13 minute drive, the majority of it going west on Fourth Avenue. Followed by a quick minute south on Eleventh Street, we turned left into the long driveway with 28 miles of gorgeous vines on either side, and approached the small, grey barn where the cellar shop is held. As I exited my car, I couldn't help but take photos of my surroundings as it was quiet, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful. We then walked into the cellar shop where there were two women enjoying a private tasting - gracious enough to let us explore the small shelf of wines for purchase anyways. The winemaker briefly paused the wine tasting to talk to us about their small yet impressive selections of wines, in which I chose the 2018 Rebel Unfiltered Chardonnay. My mom and I exchanged a few laughs with the two other women as we paid, then went on our merry way!
16 Mile Cellar is a small family owned winery and vineyard, founded in 2010. The name, 16 Mile Cellar, is because of the location on the 16 Mile Creek, at the foot of the 20 Mile Bench near the town of Jordan. On their Estate vineyard they have a dedicated focus on varieties that suit the terroir: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Gamay. The wines exhibit the rich soil and climate characteristics of the Niagara Escarpment, portraying the glacial deposits and soils of the ancient Iroquois Lake.
The team at 16 Mile Cellars is made up of zealous winemakers. From planting to harvesting, and from organic production to delivery, they indulge in every detail to ensure that every bottle meets our very high standards. The goal is to produce small quantities of hand-picked, hand-made and distinctive wines each year, which, so far, have garnered the attention of wine critics across the country.
I can’t wait to go back for a private wine tasting of my own when their new batches are ready. You can go for a tasting of your own, or visit their wine shop, every Saturday from 11am until 4pm. Don’t forget to visit their website beforehand for my info!
#smallwinemakers #ontariowinemakers #ontariowines #localvineyard