Emerging regions

Experts believe Southern Ontario will one day be dotted with vineyards, for three reasons: 1) Viticulture research is enlarging the growing area for high-quality vinifera varieties. 2) Vintners are gaining experience with the terroir. 3) Overall consumer interest is further expanding the market for Ontario wines.

One promising area is the eastern Erie shore near Long Point, where summer temperatures are slightly warmer than in Niagara. Just north of Toronto, the orchards of the Oak Ridges Moraine have been joined by vineyards yielding their first VQA wines. Further north by Georgian Bay, several wineries have opened and growers are experimenting wiht vinifera and hybrid plantings. And tothe east, a few small vineyards have sprung up in the Northumberland Hills near Prince Edward County. These non-traditional areas will continue to expand over the next few years.