Having enjoyed global careers in banking and tech, Grant Westcott and Carolyn Hurst knew they weren’t the “retiring” kind. With Carolyn being a native of the Niagara region (E.L. Crossley High represent!) and a passionate oenophile, and Grant being a former cattle farmer in his younger years and no stranger to working the land, purchasing and running a vineyard seemed like the perfect way for the couple to combine their passions and finally bet on themselves. Initially thinking they would grow grapes and sell them to other wineries, they started with a vision of the type of wine they would love to help to create. After consulting with local experts and winemaking trailblazers and being inspired by the cool climate Chardonnays and Pinots coming out of Moira Vineyard at Malivoire, 13th Street, Flat Rock and the Le Clos Jordan vineyards, they planted twenty-eight acres of grapes and were on their way!
As time went on, however, they realized that they wanted to produce their own wine under their own Westcott Vineyards label. Winemaker Arthur Harder joined them to take their precious grapes and create their first vintage in 2012. In true “garagistes” style, their first wines were made in their equipment barn while the pair worked their way through the permit process for the main winery building.
In 2008, we sold the house in Toronto, moved the family to Niagara and our true journey to becoming winemakers began; it was truly a good year. — Carolyn Hurst.
They continued their study of cool climate viticulture and were fortunate to have their son, Garett Westcott, join them in the vineyard and Alain Sutre guide their viticulture practices the next year. Construction on the main building (which features a reclaimed 200-year old timber frame and foundation from a barn several kilometers away) began in the fall of 2013. The tasting room was opened in July 2014 and their daughter, Victoria Westcott, joined the team to lead the customer experience.
Grant and Carolyn are excited about the promise their wines are showing and strive to improve every year, constantly growing and listening - to the earth, the grapes, and their customers. They are at 3180 17th Street, in Jordan Station, waiting for you to join them and share a glass of wine.
