Certified Sustainable

Many Ontario grape growers and winemakers have chosen to take their environmentally-friendly practices one step further by participating in the voluntary sustainability certification program. Visit our Instagram page to hear what it means to Ontario grape growers to be sustainable.

Background

In 2007, the Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) and Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO) worked in partnership to create 'An Environmental Charter for the Wine Industry' and the 'Ontario Viticulture Sustainability Certification Program'. These proactive programs were developed for wineries and vineyards to provide information on environmental requirements, and identify new sustainable opportunities while complying with existing government regulations. 

In 2021, the OCW and GGO merged the two programs to create one unified program. This program is built around the three core pillars of sustainability – Environment, Economy, and Community. Practices within these pillars reflect how certified wineries and growers are invested in respecting our natural resources, building sustainable businesses, and are committed to social responsibility. Evolving the program to include both winery and vineyard certification ensures that the complete grape to glass cycle is sustainable. Look for 'Certified Sustainable' at Ontario vineyards and on your favourite Ontario VQA wine bottle starting with the 2021 vintage.

Explore sustainable vineyard practices by clicking on the plus signs in the graphic below:

Certified Growers

Niagara-on-the-Lake

  • A.J. Lepp Orchards Ltd.
  • Arterra Wines Vineyards
  • Chateau des Charmes Wines Ltd.
  • De Simone Vineyards
  • Erwin Wiens Vineyards Ltd.
  • Ferox Winery
  • Froese Farms
  • Fruithaven Farms Ltd.
  • G.W. Farms Inc.
  • Glenlake Orchards
  • Huebel Grapes Estates
  • Hunter Farms
  • Icellars Estate Winery Inc.
  • Jackson Bai Farm Inc.
  • James E. Slingerland
  • Jenkins Vineyards Niagara Inc.
  • K.J. Watson Farms Ltd.
  • Knizat Farm Inc.
  • Larry Dubois
  • Lawrie Vineyard
  • Lepp Farms
  • Niagara College Teaching Winery
  • Ornelas Farms Inc.
  • P.G. Enns Farms Ltd.
  • Parkway Estate Vineyards Inc.
  • Pillitteri Estates Winery
  • Puglisi Farms
  • Puma Farm
  • Reddecopp Vineyards
  • Reuther Farms Ltd.
  • Riverview Cellars Winery
  • Seeger Farms Ltd.
  • Smith Vineyards Inc.
  • Southbrook Vineyards
  • Strewn Inc.
  • The French Connection Vineyards Inc.
  • Toppensher Vineyards
  • Tregunno Fruit Farms Inc.
  • Warren Ridge Inc.
  • Wiens Farms

St. Catharines

  • G.+ H. Wiley Ltd.
  • Glen View Vineyards Inc.
  • J.D. Whitty Farms

Lincoln

  • Cave Spring Vineyard
  • Creekside Estate Winery
  • Elmwood Farms
  • Featherstone Vineyard
  • Flat Rock Vineyard Ltd.
  • Foreign Affair Winery Ltd.
  • George Farms II Ltd.
  • Hipple Farms Ltd.
  • Honsberger Estates
  • Jason Roller
  • Jordan Heights Vineyards
  • Jordan Valley Vineyards
  • Keczan Farms
  • Le Clos Jordanne Vineyards
  • Malivoire Wine Company
  • Megalomaniac Wines
  • Mio Vineyard
  • Nedelko Vineyard
  • Picone Vineyard
  • Quarry Ridge Inc.
  • Stouck Estate
  • Tony Molek
  • Vailmont Vineyards Inc.
  • Vineland Estates Winery
  • Walker Aggregates Inc.
  • William J. Baranick
  • William P. Baranick

Grimsby-Hamilton

  • Leaning Post Wines Inc.

Southwestern Ontario

  • Oxley Farms
  • Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc.

Prince Edward County

  • Closson Chase Vineyards Inc.
  • Exultet Estates
  • Rosehall Run Vineyards Inc.

Members' Toolbox

Resources for grape growers

Newsroom

Mary Walsh to speak at 2023 Celebrity Luncheon

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Ontario’s Ag Minister unveils new “Certified Sustainable” grape grower signs

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Ontario’s grape growers’ welcome $5 million disaster relief funding from the Provincial and Federal governments

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