Matos Winery is a family-owned and family-run business. In 2006, after spending much time researching the growing conditions and suitability of establishing a vineyard in PEI, Jaime Matos and his family purchased a 54 acre parcel of land in St. Catherines. They applied the French concept of terroir – finding a place where the combination of soil, slope, sun exposure and the peculiar weather vagaries allow certain grape varieties to unfold their unique characteristics. To this end, they consulted with the finest European vintners who visited PEI to provide their expertise.
The Matos family culture is built on the time-honoured principles of hard work, integrity, uncompromising desire for quality and long-term stewardship of the land. Their desire is to create an extraordinary wine which will truly reflect the potential for wine production in PEI.
In the summer of 2007, 16000 Gamay-Noir and Chardonnay grapevines were imported from France and planted on 10 hillside acres. In the spring of 2008, the Matos family sold their wine business in Ontario and moved to PEI. Most of 2008 was spent on tending the young vines – the size and shape of the vine is the result of the grape variety and the climate, but the way the vines are pruned, trellised and spaced is also critical. The vines are pruned based on trellising and are trained on fruit and catch wires. The summer months were spent installing the thousands feet of wire necessary to properly train vines.
In 2010 the winery was built. There is a gift shop as well as tasting area and we offer tours to the public. Check out our website;
www.MatosWinery.com
Address: 3156 West River Road, Route 9, St. Catherines. PE C0A 1H1
Phone: 1-902-675-WINE (9463)
Email: [email protected]
Website: matoswinery.com/
