Kelly Mason is chief winemaker at Queylus, but she has her own project called Mason Vineyard based on a beautiful vineyard on Twenty Mile Bench. She bought the property in 2012 when she was working as an assistant winemaker at Le Clos Jordanne with Sebastian Jacquey. Initially she sold the grapes, but began making wines under her label covertly in 2018. This is a remarkable story of persistence, timing and an astonishing work ethic that has resulted in some of Niagara (and Canada’s) very best wines.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

As a Canadian Sommelier, I’m thrilled to share that from west to east, Canada is producing exceptional wines. Each bottle tells a captivating story of terroir, culture, complexity and flavour. Nestled within our expansive and diverse landscapes, Canadian winemakers are crafting wines that rival the best from around the globe. Whether it’s the crisp, aromatic whites of the Okanagan Valley, the robust and velvety reds of the Niagara Peninsula, or the delicate and refreshing sparkling wines of Nova Scotia, Canada’s wine regions offer a rich tapestry of flavours waiting to be explored and savoured.

A graceful introduction of white flowers and nectarine aromas on this cool-climate Chardonnay from the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation. Creamy and silky with white peach and wet stone notes, and a sly minerality that creeps in to pleasantly encompass the entire palate. The mouth-watering structure develops to a lengthy, crisp and saline finish. 91 points

We’ve discovered a small-batch, winemaker-led winery in Ontario’s Niagara region that we think you really ought to know about. Mason Vineyard is driven to crafting exceptional estate single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc wines from low intervention and wild fermentation methods. We chatted with winemaker Kelly Mason to learn more. —Noa Nichol

Winemaker Kelly Mason, owner and founder of Mason Vineyard, brought a wealth of wine knowledge when she launched her winery in 2021. Mason’s winemaking career began in 2007 with an internship at Saintsbury Winery in the Carneros subregion of Napa Valley. She then returned to Canada to pursue Winemaking at Brock University, focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and becoming an expert in Burgundian varietals. This expertise led Mason to become head winemaker at Domaine Queylus, Honsberger Estates, and The Farm winery in the Niagara Region. Juggling these roles, Mason successfully etablished Mason Vineyard in 2021. Here, she intricately crafts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc wines sourced from estate single vineyards. In our conversation with Mason, we delved into her journey in starting the winery, the future of Ontario wines, and the unique aspects that make winemaking special.