Ron Giesbrecht has been in the Niagara wine scene for a while – and he has no plans on leaving anytime soon. Growing up in the Niagara Region, right on the Beamsville Bench, he has always been surrounded by the many orchards, vineyards and fields of the area. His love of food, fruit and science led him to receiving a degree in Biology from the University of Waterloo and a master’s degree in Food Science (specializing in Oenology) from the University of Guelph. Right from the gate, he gained experience at various original institutions of the Niagara wine scene, such as Brights, but settled into his technique and embraced his experimental inklings at Henry of Pelham for 23 years. Nicknamed ‘Papa Baco’ during his highly respectable tenure at Henry of Pelham for embracing and showcasing the often overlooked Baco Noir grape at the time, Giesbrecht helped make this a stand-alone wine varietal common in the Niagara region. Looking for more challenges, he moved to Niagara College as a wine and viticulture professor, where he taught for an additional 9 years. Retiring only from teaching this summer, he is focusing now on this new adventure, Wending Home Estate Vineyards & Winery with co-owner Ying Feng, a previous student of his.

Ron is using his vast experience and knowledge as a backdrop to many of the wines being produced at Wending Home, but his constant thirst for knowledge always ensures that there are some tricks and surprises up his sleeve.