Winery doubling output

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

One of Ontario’s most famous vineyards and winery has begun an ambitious project to double its production capacity.

Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc., in Essex County, will add a bottling line, filtration system and extra storage to increase its wine production to 45,000 litres a day from the current 20,000 litres. Last week the province announced a $451,200 grant from its Rural Economic Development program towards the project.

Dave McLeod, a spokesperson with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food says the project’s total cost will be $6.571 million.

A news release from the province indicates the expansion will generate a demand of 1,250 additional tonnes of grapes from Ontario and create six new jobs. The goal is to increase sales by more than $6 million within five years.

The project is waiting for rezoning approval from Kingsville, McLeod says.

A spokesperson from the winery could not be reached for comment.

According to an Industry Canada listing, the company is Canada’s southernmost and largest estate winery with more than 500 acres. Its total annual sales range between $5 million to $9.9 million and export sales range between $200,000 and $499,999.

The company has exported to Austria, Japan, the United States and the U.K. and is pursuing markets in Belgium, China, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. BF