The Island is rich in winemaking history. In 1891, Captain J.S. Hamilton, the president of Pelee Island Wine Company and J.S. Hamilton & Co., began construction of a three-storey building made from stone quarried on Pelee Island. Named the Wine House, it was located on five acres near the west dock on Pelee Island. From the winepress on the third floor, juice was piped to thousand-gallon vats on the lowest level. Initially, the cellar of the Wine House contained between 15 and 18 of these vats.
In 1979 the Pelee Island Winery was re-established by a group committed not just to building a world-class winery, but also to the natural heritage of the island. The century old tradition of grape growing on the island continues. Pelee Island Winery now produce around 2 dozen different wines, and are the largest VQA wine producer in Ontario.
Hugely concentrated with rich citrus and caramel laced fruit, eye- watering acidity, and a finish that never ends, this is simply a great dessert wine.
