Reif Estate Winery
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| Reif Estate Winery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada |
| Appellation | Niagara Peninsula |
| Founded | 1982 |
| First vintage | 1982 |
| Key people | Ewald Reif, Klaus W. Reif, Roberto DiDomenico |
| Cases/yr | 35,000 |
| Known for | First Growth Collection |
Reif Estate Winery is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada. Reif Estate is primarily known for playing an important in role pioneering the Ontario wine Industry, as well as planting some of the first Vitis vinifera vines in the Niagara region.[1]
Before Reif Estate Winery settled on the banks of the Niagara River, the family tradition of winemaking traces back 13 generations, starting in Germany. The Reif family tradition of winemaking began in the 17th century in a small winemaking town called Neustadt, Germany.[1]
In 1977, Ewald Reif moved to Canada and purchase a plot of land, where the winery is still situated today. After purchasing the land, Ewald began uprooting existing Vitis labrusca grapes that were planted on the property, replacing them with Vitis vinifera vines. Ewald opened Reif Estate Winery in 1982. The winery's first vintages in 1982 included Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Vidal.[1] In 1984 Reif produced its first Icewine.[1]
In 1987, Klaus W. Reif took over from his uncle Ewald as President and Winemaker at Reif Estate Winery. In 2024, Eric Pearson became winemaker.[1]
Vineyard
Reif Estate's 125-acre (0.51 km2) vineyard is located in Niagara Peninsula appellation, in the Niagara River sub-appellation. The Niagara River sub-appellation is characterized by its east facing slopes, offering grape varieties necessary sun exposure during the day. In addition, the Niagara river acts as a convective current which moderates vineyard temperatures and ultimately extends the growing season.[2] The number of degree days in the Niagara River sub-appellation Archived 2014-04-06 at the Wayback Machine is 1470.[2] Some of the first vines grown on the Estate included Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.[1]
White Varieties include: Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc and Vidal.
Red Varieties include: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Gamay noir, and Syrah.