Our Story | WG Estates

As a young child, Wayne Gretzky watched in fascination as his grandfather picked and pressed his own grapes, carefully tended his collection of wooden barrels and bottled his own wine. Decades later, inspired by family tradition and motivated by his unfaltering commitment to hard work and achieving excellence, Wayne set his sights on making his own great Canadian wine. His goal was simple: to create a collection of wines that people might buy once because of the name on the label, but would choose to enjoy again and again once they discovered the quality of the wine itself.

The positive reaction that wine critics and wine lovers alike had to his portfolio of Niagara and Okanagan wines soon planted another seed in Wayne’s mind. Watching what his team could do with Canadian grapes made him wonder what might happen if they expanded their focus to include Canadian whiskies made from locally sourced grains. His overarching philosophy for this new chapter remained consistent: Whatever your craft, do it well.

In the spring of 2017, passionate wine enthusiasts, whisky aficionados and hockey fans gathered to celebrate the opening of the all-new Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. The 23,000-square foot facility nestled amongst the grapevines is the first combined winery and distillery in Ontario and another shining example of the great things that happen when The Great One is leading the team.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery invites guests to join in a celebration of Canadian wine, Canadian whisky and Canadian culture. Whether enjoying our products at home or visiting the Estate, our wines, spirits and experiences offer a collection of quiet reminders that our country is at its best when we put in the extra work to produce results that truly stand apart.

“I’ve often said the highest compliment you can pay me is to say that I work hard everyday.”
- Wayne Gretzky

It’s an intensity you can taste in a perfectly chilled glass of Icewine.
It’s a commitment to excellence you can sense as you stand in the shadow of the shiny copper still and learn about the rigorous standards and innovative techniques that set our whiskies apart.
It’s the childlike excitement you feel when you remaster some perfectly carved crosscuts on our outdoor rink.
It’s the sense of pride you feel reliving some of hockey’s greatest moments through Wayne’s photos and memorabilia.