In the spring of 2017, passionate wine enthusiasts, whisky aficionados and hockey fans gathered to celebrate the opening of the all-new Wayne Gretzky Estates in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. The 23,000-square foot facility nestled amongst the grapevines is the first combined winery and distillery in Ontario and another shining example of the great things that happen when The Great One is leading the team.
Wayne Gretzky Estates invites guests to join in a celebration of Canadian wine, whisky, spirits, and culture. Whether enjoying a beverage at home, or visiting the Estate, our products and experiences offer a collection of quiet reminders that our country is at its best when we put in the extra work to produce results that truly stand apart.
There’s always something happening at Wayne Gretzky Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Choose from wine and whisky tastings with a twist, interactive classes, memorable meals, festive fetes, icy winter fun on our skating rink and so much more.
If you’d prefer to take in all the excitement from the stands, that works too. Pull up a comfy chair at The Whisky Bar, let our mixologists pour you something to sip on and just sit back and watch all the fun unfold.
Hours
Retail Hours
Sunday to Thursday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
The Whisky Bar Patio
Open May to October
The Rink & The Whisky Bar Patio
Open December to March
The Wine Garden
Open May to October
The Cocktail Lounge
Closed for the season
The winery is open on all holidays except for Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1).
WINEMAKER PROFILE
Winemaker, Craig McDonald
A good coach knows how to stack a team, and Craig McDonald’s unfaltering commitment to excellence rivals that of the man for whom he now crafts wine.
As the founding winemaker and creator of Wayne Gretzky Wines, Craig has played a pivotal role in creating the family of wines that Canadians have come to love. His attention to detail from vineyard to cellar has earned him Ontario Winemaker of the Year awards in both 2008 and 2016.
Whether he’s in the vineyards to check if the grapes are ready for harvest, or tweaking blends in the cellar, creating wines that Wayne Gretzky will be proud to call his own is always top of mind for Craig.
Estate Chef, Maurice Desharnais
Chef Maurice Desharnais is a Niagara local, who began honing his culinary skills at Algonquin College in Ottawa. Shortly after moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Desharnais was appointed Executive Sous Chef of Peller Estates Winery and has been with the industry leader Andrew Peller Limited for over fourteen years. Over these years, Maurice has helped raise the profile of Peller Estates. In January 2019 Maurice left Niagara and moved to Beautiful Kelowna British Columbia to oversee the restaurant renovation of Gray Monk Estate Winery. He spent the next year and a half, working with local farmers and producers showcasing the beauty and bounty of the Okanagan. Having completed the overhaul with the kitchen, menu and the restaurant at Gray Monk, he came back to his home in Niagara and took over the Executive Chef position at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery. Completing his second-level sommelier, starting his Beer Certification, receiving his Fromagerie as well as participating on Food Networks Chopped Canada.
Maurice’s culinary philosophy and passion are strongly influenced by his Northern upbringing. He is known to bring an elevated approach to traditionally Canadian and rustic cuisine. Maurice prides himself on creating simple, uncomplicated food. Maurice shows his Canadian values through a no-quit attitude and support of sustainably sourced Canadian ingredients.
At Wayne Gretzky Estates, Maurice has transformed three different restaurants into fun, casual dining spots that showcase the winery and distillery’s iconic products in new ways. The relaxed and delicious menus offer a new way to experience the estate’s wines, whiskies and beers.
Master Distiller, Tim Wilson
An Australian native, Tim Wilson has been involved in alcoholic beverage production for the better part of two decades. Having completed his BsC in winemaking at Deakin University in Australia in the mid 2000’s, Tim soon after started working in both the Australian and Canadian wine industries, before making the jump to spirits production at the newly built Wayne Gretzky Distillery in 2017.
Tim has worked in a vast array of production facilities across the world and has an intimate understanding of beverage alcohol operations in all sized facilities as well as immense sensory knowledge in the beverage alcohol industry.
Tim now oversees production in the Niagara-on-the-Lake distillery, and also takes care of blending and maturation of the Wayne Gretzky Estates spirits. Tim is currently studying to complete his MsC in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot Watt University in Scotland.
Having the Wayne Gretzky winery, distillery & brewery under the same roof allows Tim to work closely with Senior Winemaker, Craig McDonald, to execute a unique portfolio of products. From beer brewed from the same grains as whisky, to whisky finished in Icewine and Cabernet Sauvignon barrels to Estate-exclusive artisanal craft wine spirits, Tim and Craig prove that blending the worlds of wine, whisky and beer can have some truly delicious results.
Master Brewer, Laura Milukow
Laura has long been a lover of beer and experimenting with flavours. While initially setting out in a career in forestry, home brewing was always a passion and an outlet for creativity. After 5 years out west, she decided to refine her skills and pursue her passion of brewing.
Laura studied at Niagara College and graduated from the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program. After a year of working at another local distillery, she joined the Gretzky team in 2020.
Her love for craft beer emerged while she was living out West, but she currently resides in Ontario. Laura looks forward to supporting the Wayne Gretzky name in the craft brewing industry from coast to coast!
