Family, Community, Wine at Vankleek Hill Vineyard

Coming into the entrance of the Vankleek Hill Vineyard, visitors are greeted with a massive artistically-painted raven adorning the silo, welcoming all and taking guests under its wing. Part of the Popsilo Route in Prescott Russell, it’s perfectly poised to watch over the vineyard  – but also as a beacon to the community connection that unfolds daily at Vankleek Hill Vineyard.

When Teresa Bressan and Scott Lambert took over the fifty-five-acre property on Dandy Road in 2019, they knew they wanted to live more sustainably and had fallen in love with Eastern Ontario. But what they didn’t know was how the strong connections they were about to forge would help transform the vineyard into a true family space.

“It was like a breath of fresh air coming here,” Bressan said, noting they saw the potential in the property and have worked hard through blood, sweat and tears to get it to where it is now. But the community has been along for the ride and has responded tremendously every step of the way, she said. Bressan notes it’s family, community and wine that gathers people together at the vineyard.

“We basically extended an invitation to our table,” she said. “It is amazing to think where we started to where we are now. This is a direction Covid took for us in the best way possible.” Although she admits that’s a sentiment that isn’t always the case, Bressan pointed out that they worked hard respecting the guidelines and rules during Covid, and were able to still open their outdoor space up to community members. They responded.

Now it’s nothing for Bressan to blink and see the 130-seat patio full in the summer, witnessing families holding reunions there, friends gathering to celebrate and catch-up, couples on date nights – or repeat guests who everyone knows by name that refer to it as “their winery”. “It’s a really special thing to see everyone enjoying the wine while enjoying each other’s company,” she said.

Their winery has become an extension of people’s backyard, where connections are forged and customers become like family. “We’re truly more than a vineyard,” she said. “It’s like a family here. There’s a laid-back, humble vibe. Nothing is pretentious. We’re living the dream; welcoming in the community to come share it with us.”

The Wines

Teresa comes from an Italian background, and she remembers making wine with her Dad and Grandfather as a youngster. Now, Scott is the winemaker, and they grow five acres of cold-climate grapes: Frontenac (red) and Frontenac Gris (white). Some grapes for their wines are sourced from the Niagara region.

Their Frontenac Gris series continuously sells out. In fact, they have waiting lists for it. While Vankleek Hill Vineyard is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Lambert said their Frontenac Gris Estate, which was made in a Ripasso style, recently sold out in weeks. Fumé Blanc and Cabernet Franc also prove popular in summer, Bressan said.

A newly released project is the Frontenac Gris Rosé, a playful cold-climate Rose/Orange. It’s fermented on pinot noir skins, which lends strawberry and herbal notes with a touch of sweetness—and it’s already a hit.

“We release projects not wines,” Bressan said. Each project has been assigned a number since they started producing and they’re looking forward to releasing #41 shortly. “The variety of wine will repeat itself, but the project itself is different,” she said of their small batches. “Our mindset is that the end result is always something slightly different: same characteristics and baseline, but subtle differences because of Mother Nature’s play in the grapes. It’s beautiful that they all have uniqueness to them.”

Guests can purchase by the glass, bottle or tasting flight– with no reservations needed at the beautiful patio and outdoor tasting bar at Vankleek Hill Vineyard. The outdoor areas are a blend of shade and open spaces to lounge, while overlooking the estate vines.

However, to elevate the experience and try out their wines while gaining insider knowledge, Vankleek Hill Vineyard and Tasting Cellar offers a friendly guided tasting of five personally-selected wines. In this hour-long seated tasting experience, the wines chosen are the best representation of the sustainable growing and production methods.

Those methods extend beyond the vines, as well. Aside from the wine, Vankleek Hill Vineyard has 22 bee hives on the property and they produce their own honey. In addition, the clothing sold in the boutique is 90 per cent Ontario or Quebec produced with the shirts even screen-printed right in Vankleek Hill.

Summer lovin

Get into the summer groove and experience the Music in the Vines series, featuring live music four months a year, twice a week at the vineyard. Vankleek Hill Vineyard also has some new offerings on the horizon for the coming year, including unique accommodations in a Mongolian Yurt, and an expansion on food offerings including charcuterie boards and artisanal pizzas on the patio. Keep an eye on their socials for more!

“Come as you are. Bring kids, your pets, all generations,” Bressan said. “People start the weekend and end the weekend here, feeling totally connected, and we’re so fortunate to be a part of that.”

The winery is open on weekends until June, then it opens from Thursdays to Sundays until Labour Day. For more information, find Vankleek Hill Vineyard online at www.vankleekhillvineyard.com or on Facebook @VankleekHillVineyard and Instagram @vignoblevankleekhill. Better yet, stop by and say hi at 3725 Dandy Road (County Road 12) in Vankleek Hill.