The story behind Traynor Family Vineyard
Mike Traynor bought a frozen cornfield in Hillier, Prince Edward County, in 2008 and turned it into a small family vineyard. The winery opened its doors in 2014.
Traynor built its name on natural wine well before it was fashionable in Ontario. The whole operation is hands-on, from pressing to bottling.
Ontario natural wine, early and hands-on
This is low-intervention winemaking in the real sense: wild-yeast ferments, skin contact, and very little added sulphite. The wines are all vegan, made without animal-based fining.
Traynor is best known for sparkling pet-nat, made in white, rose, and red versions, plus orange wine and one of Ontario's first commercial piquettes. It is playful, experimental County wine that does not take itself too seriously.
Frequently asked questions
What is Traynor Family Vineyard known for?
Traynor is a Prince Edward County natural-wine pioneer, known for pet-nat sparkling, orange wine, and piquette. The wines are low-intervention and fully vegan, made by hand on a small family vineyard in Hillier.
What is pet-nat?
Pet-nat, short for petillant naturel, is a lightly sparkling wine bottled before fermentation finishes, so it fizzes naturally with no added gas. Traynor makes white, rose, and red versions, and it is one of the wines the vineyard is known for.
Where is Traynor Family Vineyard?
In Hillier, in Prince Edward County, Ontario, just west of Wellington. The County is a cool-climate region on Lake Ontario, and Traynor is one of its most experimental producers.
