Drink Up: Ravine Vineyard’s Werner Teaches Us About the Fine Art of Wine Making

Drink Up is a bi-monthly column created by Swig contributor Kristen Oliveri. In the column, she speaks to the world’s leading mixologists, bartenders, wine makers, beer makers, sippers and taste-testers who provide insights into where you try your next drink and what it should be.

Martin Werner is the winemaker for boutique winery Ravine Vineyard located in the heart of Ontario Wine Country. The 34-acre organic winery, located in the sub-appellation of Niagara called St. Davids Bench, is set apart from other vineyards in the region because its position on the Bench is at its highest elevation. What’s more is that the three main sections to the vineyard – the upper bench (‘the top’), the slope (‘the hillside’) and the bottom – each have unique compositions, only adding to its allure. Swig contributor Kristen Oliveri sits down with Werner to discuss his interesting path from serving to winemaking and how he strives to make the best sustainable wine possible for the family he works for and its loyal customers. Read more