Vineyards

Discover Our Vineyards

Experience the passion and dedication behind every bottle at Kirby Estate, where we celebrate the unique terroir of Niagara Lakeshore sub-appellation.

Niagara peninsula sub-appelations

Upon visiting Kirby Estate for the first time it was obvious that the former peach farm turned vineyard in the 1990s was a special place - rich soils, bounded by Four Mile Creek on the east and north, and overflowing with tender fruit and nut trees, and a plethora of birds and wildlife.

The Kirby Estate is situated in the regional appellation of Niagara -On-The-Lake, sub-appellation Niagara Lakeshore and is approximately 2.7 km south of Lake Ontario.  Located at the distinct latitude of N43, our diverse appellation is a haven for viticulture. Blessed with rich, fertile soils and microclimates unlike any other, this region offers us the perfect stage for crafting wines of unparalleled complexity and intense flavor, setting us apart even from many warmer climates. Situated between the escarpment and the lake fosters convection breezes which ventilate the vines and moderate winter and summer temperature extremes, while extending the growing season into late October and early November allowing for exceptional fruit maturation.

Historically the property lies in the shallows of former Lake Iroquois, now receded, but leaving behind clay tills and sandy loams.  Additionally, the east half of the property is contained within an historic floodplain of a former tributary of the Niagara River (now Four Mile Creek) which has over 17,000 years deposited calcareous sediments eroded from the escarpment resulting in additional alkalinity in the silty and sandy soils.   This soil condition is highly desirable for resulting minerality in the wine.  The area temporarily floods annually in the spring resulting in natural fertilization and rapid draining. The vineyard has 5 red varieties: gamay noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot; and 2 white varieties: pinot blanc and chardonnay, totalling approximately 10 acres planted.

kirby's lands
the vineyard fields

Bloc #1

Terroir
Soil: Sandy loam, rich and fertile
Drainage: Highly free draining
Grapes

Gamay Noir - planted 1998
Merlot - planted 2002

WInes

2020 - Reserve Merlot, 2020 - Signature Merlot, 2021 Estate Merlot

2021

Estate

Estate
$ 60.00 CAD

2018

Estate

Estate
$ 60.00 CAD

2020

Reserve

Reserve
$ 80.00 CAD

2020

Signature

Signature
$ 108.00 CAD

Bloc #2

Terroir
Soil: Transitional sandy loam to silty sand and silty clay
Drainage: Free draining
Grapes

Pinot Blanc - planted in 1996
Blanc de Blanc traditional method from 2022 vintage in process
Cru-style, still wine from 2023 vintage

WInes

2023 - Estate Pinot Blanc

2023

Estate Pinot Blanc 2023

Pinot Blanc
$ 35.00 CAD

bloc #3

Terroir
Soil: Lacustrine silty sands and silty clay sediment, mineral rich
Drainage: Free draining
Grapes

Chardonnay - Legacy vines planted in 1995
Chardonnay - newly planted 2023 (clone 95)
Cabernet Sauvignon - newly planted 2023 (clone 196)
Cab Franc - newly planted 2023 (clone 214)

WInes

2019 - Estate Chardonnay, 2020 - Estate Chardonnay, 2021 - Estate and Reserve Chardonnay

2021

Reserve

Chardonnay
$ 65.00 CAD

2021

Estate

Chardonnay
$ 55.00 CAD

2019

Estate

Chardonnay
$ 60.00 CAD

2020

Estate

Chardonnay
$ 60.00 CAD

bloc #4

Terroir
Soil: Sandy loam transitioning to silty sand
Drainage: Highly free draining
Grapes

Petit Verdot - newly planted 2023 (clone 400)
Cab Franc - newly planted 2023 (clone 1167)

WInes

No bottles available yet

Stewards of The Land

The almighty, through nature, regularly demonstrates his dominion over humanity by providing the amazing bounty of the land, the rhythm of the seasons, the changing weather, the warmth and the cold, the sun and the rains.  While all real wealth comes from the earth, we are constantly reminded that care and hard work are required to see that the productive capacity of “the place” is realized.  Never was this so evident as when we acquired Kirby Estate.  Together with our Farm Manager, Craig Wismer we quickly gained a keen appreciation for the terroir - the soils, the vines, the surroundings – both plants and wildlife, and the labour, equipment and other resources required to keep all in a harmonious balance and sustainably productive and regenerative.

The vineyard is as much a work of art as it is science, wherein the rows of vines and resulting fruit are laid down meticulously and precisely, and then carefully maintained.  The pruning season typically happens in winter, observing a resulting set number of canes and buds per plant.  The spring involves tying and positioning the canes, followed by tucking and hedging the canopy.  As the season progresses, the fruit zone is de-leafed and there is constant cover-crop mowing and mulching between the rows, thus naturally revitalizing the soil.  As veraison comes and goes the season turns to harvest.  Constant vigilance and remedial actions are necessary to battle the elements and pests that constantly challenge the farmer.  At season’s end the farmer puts the vines to bed for the winter and for protection from frost by hilling-up the soil around the base of the vines.

So the cadence of the vintage growing cycle reminds us that we are merely a part of a larger mosaic of nature’s rhythm.  The vines provide sustenance for not only our wine passions, but also for many other birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and plants.  We realize that we are charged with the responsibility to maintain and nurture “the place” as stewards for the brief tenure that we are blessed to hold.  Our efforts can preserve and improve “the place” through hard work, creativity, and planting anew – ensuring that its better for the next custodian farmer link in the endless chain of stewardship time.

birds that fly away

The kirby connection

Kirby Estate is a passion project of Maria and Scott Kirby who wish to share their limited production wines with like-minded eonophiles that appreciate the best that Niagara has to offer -  great quality, tasty, energetic wines.  If they have sparked your interest and you would like to know more about Kirby Estate please join the subscription list.  You will be advised periodically of happenings in the vineyard and of up coming releases.

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