Casa-Dea Estates works only with fruit off its own two vineyards in Prince Edward County, about 65 acres of clay over limestone.
That soil is what gives County wine its mineral edge, and it is most of the reason the region exists as a wine area at all. The range is broad and all of it is VQA.
Casa-Dea was built by Domenic Di Pietrantonio, who came to Canada from Italy in the 1950s and later went back to study winemaking. He named the winery for his wife, Dea, so Casa-Dea means home of Dea.
The estate has grown into one of the larger wineries in Prince Edward County, with roughly 65 acres of vines around Wellington.
A County estate, Italian roots
Everything Casa-Dea bottles comes from its own two County vineyards, which is not a given at this scale. The plantings run to Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc.
The reds are the ones to watch, led by a Cabernet Franc Reserve, while the cool County climate keeps the whites fresh and bright. In summer, the on-site Italian restaurant, La Pergola, looks out over the main vineyard.
Frequently asked questions
What is Casa-Dea Estates known for?
Casa-Dea is one of Prince Edward County's larger estate wineries, making VQA wines entirely from its own County vineyards. It is known for its Cabernet Franc Reserve, its estate whites, and its on-site Italian restaurant, La Pergola.
What does the name Casa-Dea mean?
It means home of Dea. Founder Domenic Di Pietrantonio named the winery after his wife, Dea, tying the family story straight into the brand. The Italian thread runs through the wines and the on-site restaurant.
Where is Casa-Dea Estates?
In Wellington, in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Wellington sits in the heart of the County wine route, a cool-climate region on Lake Ontario known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
