Fall in love with good wine and good times at Karlo Estates

Prince Edward CountyOntario wineCanadian Wine

Oct 17

Approaching Karlo Estates winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario, you’ll be greeted by a grand barn built in 1805 that’s situated amidst gorgeous natural county grounds. The vineyards lay a baseline for breathtaking skyscapes and old stonework graces the property in the front stone wall, wide walkway and entrance to the barn, and in their must-see dry-stone bridge beyond the grapevines. Once you enter the winery, the monumental barn becomes overly welcoming and cozy, with its’ large wooden bar, and antique furniture and rugs in front of the fireplace. If you’re lucky enough, you may even find yourself comfortably sunk in to a soft, red velvet chair in the speakeasy lounge in the afternoon…evening…(what time is it?) indulging in delicious wine and plant-based charcuterie.

Beyond trailblazing with their impressive claim to fame to being the world’s first vegan-certified winery, Karlo Estates originality is a total vibe! Think 1920’s speak easy, everything vegan, and of course yummy wine all mishmashed in to one place. Throw in music nights, Bitchin’ Bingo, and karaoke and Karlo is a recipe for a guaranteed good time!

Co-founder/Owner and vintner Sherry Karlo is such a strong force in the wine community and a major groundbreaker for the Prince Edward County wine scene. She began the estate with her late husband Richard Karlo when they purchased the property in 2005. Her unrelenting drive for their vision of Karlo Estates and the region continues in his memory.

Today, Sherry and husband Saxe Brickenden - partner, COO, and CFO make the perfect team not just behind the scenes, but on the front lines making sure every guest feels welcomed in their personal slice of County history.

“It’s our job to create a great environment for our dream team. As curators of the portfolio, Sherry and Saxe can literally see and taste Richard’s dream and share a burning desire to turn it into reality.”

— Karlo Estates

Winemakers Derek Barnett and Spencer Mayer both contribute a wealth of experience and skill at the winery. Derek has been awarded titles such as “Winemaker of the Year” by the Ontario Wine Awards and “Wine Person of the Year” by the National Capital Sommelier Guild. In perfect synchronicity with the winery, his innovative style and thinking outside of the box methods are often rewarded. Derek was the first person to use Canadian oak barrels.

Spencer had spent time working at high-profile Canadian wineries such as Benjamin Bridge in Nova Scotia and Ravine Vineyard in Niagara before landing at Karlo Estates seven years ago. His precision with Burgundian varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay place these wines on a platform amongst the province’s best.

The use of hybrid grapes used by Karlo Estates can’t go without mention. Their portfolio is stacked with delicious wines made from hybrid grapes, including my favourite, the port-style Van Alstine Red. They were the first commercial winery to have Frontenac Blanc plantings in Ontario which they used for their indulgent, white port-style Van Alstine White. Karlo Estates has single handedly proven that the best way to present these hybrid grapes is in a unique fortified style.