The story behind Cooper's Hawk Vineyards
Tom O'Brien bought this land near Harrow meaning to farm crops, then found it grew excellent grapes instead. He started Cooper's Hawk in 2011, naming it for the hawks that hunt over the property.
The winery grew quickly, from a few hundred cases in its first year to several thousand within a decade, on a 70-acre estate on the Lake Erie North Shore.
Warm-climate reds and a table to match
The Lake Erie North Shore is Canada's warmest mainland wine region, and Cooper's Hawk uses that heat to ripen Bordeaux-style reds like Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Talon range, a Talon Red and a Talon White, is the signature line.
Food is part of the plan here. The Vines Restaurant on site cooks to pair with the estate wines, from a full dining room to a big vineyard-view patio.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cooper's Hawk Vineyards known for?
Cooper's Hawk is an estate winery on the Lake Erie North Shore known for Bordeaux-style reds and its Talon range. It also runs a well-regarded on-site restaurant, The Vines, built around pairing food with the estate's wines.
Is this the same as the Cooper's Hawk restaurant chain?
No. Cooper's Hawk Vineyards near Harrow, Ontario, is an independent Canadian family winery, separate from the American Cooper's Hawk restaurant chain. They share a name but nothing else.
Where is Cooper's Hawk Vineyards?
Near Harrow, Ontario, in the Lake Erie North Shore appellation, Canada's most southern and warmest mainland wine region. The long, sunny season is why its reds ripen so well.
