Inniskillin

Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser founded Inniskillin in 1975 after securing the first winery license issued in Ontario since the end of Prohibition in 1929. The partnership paired Ziraldo's expertise in grapevine nurseries with Kaiser's academic background in chemistry and traditional winemaking. In 2003, the company was integrated into Vincor International, which was subsequently acquired by Constellation Brands in 2006. The estate is currently owned by Arterra Wines Canada, a company held by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

The winery is located at the Brae Burn Estate within the Niagara-on-the-Lake sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula. The producer manages several specific vineyard sites including the Montague, Klose, Schuele, and Seeger vineyards. These sites benefit from the moderating climate of Lake Ontario and the sheltering effects of the Niagara Escarpment, which protect the vines from extreme temperature swings. Soils in this area are primarily clay loam resting on red shale and limestone bedrock. While the producer makes several tiers of table wine under the Niagara Estate and Reserve labels, its operations are strictly governed by Vintners Quality Alliance regulations. For its primary specialty, grapes are harvested only when they reach a natural freeze of minus eight degrees Celsius or lower to yield a small amount of highly concentrated juice.

Inniskillin is most recognized for its Icewine, produced primarily from Vidal, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc. The brand gained international attention in 1991 when its 1989 Vidal Icewine was awarded the Grand Prix d'Honneur at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, an event that shifted global perceptions of the Canadian wine industry. Today, the winery is a major participant in global travel retail and exports its sweet wines to more than 70 countries. The portfolio includes traditional still Icewines alongside a sparkling version made using the Charmat method to incorporate carbonation. As the estate reached its fiftieth year of production in 2025, it maintains its position as a large producer of late-harvest wines while also cultivating a range of vinifera table wines including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.