In this episode of Niagara on the Mic, we sit down with Klaus Reif, owner and winemaker at Reif Estate Winery, to explore the history, craft, and global impact of Icewine. With more than three decades in the industry, Klaus shares his journey from growing up in a multi-generation winemaking family to helping shape Niagara-on-the-Lake into one of the world’s most recognized Icewine regions.

We taste Reif’s Vidal Icewine and dive into what makes Icewine so unique, from frozen harvests at minus ten degrees to the balance of sweetness, acidity, and aromatics that define the style. Along the way, Klaus reflects on building the VQA framework, putting Canadian wine on the international stage, climate change, innovation, and what the next generation of winemakers means for the future of the region.

Recorded at the beautiful Largo’s Loft in downtown St. Catharines.

In this episode of Niagara on the Mic, we sit down with Allison Finlay, Head Winemaker at the Niagara College Teaching Winery, to explore her full-circle journey through Ontario’s wine world. From discovering her passion during a spontaneous tasting room visit to leading the next generation of winemakers, Allison shares what makes Niagara’s vineyards so special.

We sip her 2022 Dean’s List Riesling and talk about everything from harvest season chaos to climate change, mentorship, the science and magic of fermentation, and how Ontario wine is shaking off old pretensions to create something fresh, inclusive, and world-class.

Recorded at the beautiful Largo’s Loft in downtown St. Catharines.

In our first episode, we sit down with Dorian Anderson, Executive Director of the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival, to explore the vital role events play in shaping Niagara’s wine industry. From community celebrations to large-scale festivals, Dorian shares how events connect wineries with audiences, drive tourism, and keep Niagara’s wine culture thriving.

🎙️ Recorded at the beautiful Largos Loft in downtown St. Catharines
👉 Hosted by Craig Swanson & Katie MacCabe
👉 Follow us on socials: @wineriesofNOTL