The story behind Henry of Pelham
Few Canadian wineries can trace their land as far back as Henry of Pelham. The Short Hills Bench property connects to a 1794 Crown land grant given to the Speck brothers' ancestor, Henry Smith, for service in the American Revolutionary War.
Paul Speck Sr. bought the parcels in 1982 and planted the first vines in 1984, with the first vintage in 1988. His three sons, Paul, Matthew, and Daniel, have run the estate since the early 1990s.
Baco Noir and Bench sparkling
No Canadian winery has done more for Baco Noir, a hardy hybrid grape most producers ignore. The Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir is the wine people come looking for, big and dark and unmistakably Niagara.
Alongside it are the Cuvee Catharine traditional-method sparklings and estate Riesling and Chardonnay off the Short Hills Bench. The winery has farmed to Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario standards since 2004.
Frequently asked questions
What is Henry of Pelham known for?
Henry of Pelham is Canada's leading champion of Baco Noir, a bold red hybrid, and its Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir is the flagship. It also makes Cuvee Catharine traditional-method sparkling wine, plus estate Riesling and Chardonnay on the Short Hills Bench.
Who owns Henry of Pelham?
The Speck family. Three brothers, Paul, Matthew, and Daniel, have owned and run the estate since the early 1990s. The winery is named for their ancestor Henry Smith, whose family received the land in a 1794 Crown grant.
Where is Henry of Pelham?
In St. Catharines, on the Short Hills Bench of the Niagara Escarpment. The Bench gives the reds and Rieslings the cool nights and limestone soils Niagara is known for.
