Harwood Estate Vineyards sits atop one of the high-points of Prince Edward County, in the long, undulating hills at the western entrance to Canada's newest Designated Viticultural Area.

Harwood Estate Vineyards from 1000 feet  showing some of our older vineyards.

Our sixty-seven acre estate lies just north of the village of Hillier, Ontario on Loyalist Parkway at Palmer-Burris Road (and Pleasant Bay Road).  The rich sandy and rocky soils here compare favourably with those in the finest wine grape growing regions of Europe.  In fact, some of the best-known Pinot Noir makers in the world have 'bet the farm' on Prince Edward County.  The official "Viticultural Area" designation may be new, but some of the names working the earth and nursing its wines are already legend.

Ours is one of many vineyards that spring up suddenly, right and left, as one glides through the unspoiled countryside.  Grapes are everywhere; in vast fields; in front yards; in gardens.  The County promises to be a wine-lover's paradise.

As of 2008, there were thought to be around 40 vineyards in The County and that estimate was out-of-date the day it was born.  To say there was 'an explosion' of vineyards and wineries in Prince Edward County would be a huge understatement.  Just in our relatively small area of Hillier, one will find Hillier Creek Estates,  Stanners Vineyard,  Casadea Vineyards,  Norman Hardie Winery,  Carmela Estates Winery,  Sandbanks Estate Winery,  By Chadsey's Cairns Winery,  Little Creek-Big Lake Vineyards,  Hubbs Creek Vineyard,  Karlo Estates,  Cold Creek Vineyards,  Lacey Estates Winery,  The Ridge Estate Vineyards,  Closson Chase Vineyards,  The Old Third Vineyard,  A Vineyard At Shattered  and  The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery.  Hillier is a wonderful place to be a grape!  Yet, our sub-appellation is only a very small part of the Prince Edward County Wine Region with its profusion of romantic vineyards and fascinating wineries.

Harwood Estate Vineyards captures the crest of a long hill rising southeast out of Lake Consecon and east from Lake Ontario.  Here, the fresh breeze dries quickly as it rolls never-endingly across "Mozart", "Ravel" and "Verdi", our three major vineyards.  A similar dry Mistral is the angel of Provence and and quite a few renown wine regions of the world because it protects the grapes from many natural foes.

Harwood's Mozart Vineyard: Burgundy-like  soil, Mistral winds and friendly climate.

Our soils are rocky clay with lots of limestone.  Surface stone is scattered everywhere and very dense.  With 30 to 40% clay particles and other composition factored in, Hillier Clay Loam is remarkably similar to prime Burgundian soils.  That's why many experts believe deeply that Hillier is Pinot Noir paradise.  These soils and our auspicious micro-climate benefit more than one variety of grape, though.  Our current cultivations include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, St. Laurent and Gewürztraminer.  Each is responding beautifully to its environment and producing wines that bring excellent reviews from both professionals and aficionados.

Our present mature vines are celebrating their sixth birthday in 2008.  This is a fairly average age for vines in this young wine region.  But, the characteristics of our historic soils and crisp, clear environment have combined to produce wines that give the impression of much more ancient plantings.  We also claim a large stand of Brighton Sandy Loam on the northern border of the estate for which we have exciting future plans.  Then, there's that lovely little hill about a third of a mile north of the main house, right in the middle of the estate--everybody wants us to cover it in Pinot Noir.

Well, we are increasing our rows of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris this year.  Vintage 2007 has shown us that they are very happy here.  As for that little hill, there are many visions...only time will tell.