The roots of our award winning, eco-friendly, Twenty Mile Bench winery.
Featherstone Estate Winery is owned by Philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal. This transformative purchase took place in February 2024, amidst the 25th Anniversary of the inception of Featherstone. Founded by Dave Johnson and Louise Engle, the winery is operated by Rayla Myhal along with a dedicated, long-standing team of retail and cellar staff. The team comes to the wine industry from a variety of careers but a common dedication to excellence in food and a passion for wine.
The Featherstone vineyard was first planted in the 1970’s and the grape crop was sold to a large wine conglomerate until 1999, when the first Featherstone wines were made. The Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc – planted in 1986 – continue to thrive and the Riesling, planted in 1978, is some of the oldest Riesling in Niagara. Today the entire grape crop is bottled to produce Featherstone wines, with approximately 9,000 cases a year being vinified. The winery has distinguished itself in Niagara as being insecticide -free since 1999 and practitioners of eco-friendly farming.
Featherstone Winery farms naturally and without the use of insecticides, growing wine in a way that is sustainable. We encourage an environment that is healthy and completely unique and believe that this individuality translates into our wines. As a result, we have been certified as a Sustainable Winegrowing Winery. The Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) Certified logo assures consumers that the complete grape to glass cycle is sustainable – that the grapes are grown and the Ontario VOA wine is crafted with sustainability at the forefront of each winery and vineyard’s business philosophy. Look for this logo on Ontario VOA wine from SWO Certified wineries.
Our vineyard is on 23 acres of rolling hills on the prestigious upper Twenty Mile Bench along the Niagara Escarpment in the Twenty Valley wine region of Niagara. We are located a short 30-minute drive from the Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries.
Through biodiversity and reduced chemical intervention, we encourage an environment that is healthy and unique. We believe that this individuality translates into our wines. We hope you do, too.
The Twenty Mile Bench
The Twenty Mile Bench is a celebrated segment of the Niagara Escarpment. In places the land rises gently in large terraces, or benches, but there is a varied and complex topography, with changing slopes within this sub-appellation.
Glacial activity has provided deep clay with a high proportion of limestone and shale. Featherstone’s sheltered north-facing slopes are afforded year-round temperature moderation, the natural hills and contours provide excellent air and soil drainage and a winding creek ensures a constant water source.
Special Awards
2019 Winemaker of the Year
Joy at Featherstone! And we’re not talking about our Cuveé Joy Sparkling wine this time – although there is definitely some of that in our glass! At the 2019 Ontario Wine Awards presentation our very own David Johnson was named Winemaker of the Year. He’s humbled and overwhelmed, and pretty darn happy! The timing is great – the Ontario Wine Awards were celebrating their 25th year, and here at Featherstone, we were celebrating our 20th vintage.
2017 & 2014: Elsie Award
The LCBO honours its suppliers and their agents for innovation, creativity and commitment to customer service and social responsibility at the Elsie Awards.
2009: Niagara Escarpment Achievement Award
Awarded by the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Celebrating outstanding achievements and inspiring individuals who have made the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve a better place to live and work.
2009: Premier’s Award for Agri-Innovation Excellence
For use of falcons in the vineyard.
This award program supports and recognizes the dedication, hard work and innovation of local agri-food businesses and individuals who are adding value to existing products, helping create jobs and contributing to economic growth.
2008: Premier’s Award for Agri-Innovation Excellence
For use of lambs in the vineyard.
This award program supports and recognizes the dedication, hard work and innovation of local agri-food businesses and individuals who are adding value to existing products, helping create jobs and contributing to economic growth.
2003: Grape King
The Grape King award represents a 60 year old tradition in the Grape and Wine Industry. The title of Grape King is bestowed annually upon a grape grower who exemplifies excellence in the vineyard and is recognized as the most outstanding grape grower in Ontario. Nominees are suggested by fellow growers and the Grape King serves as an ambassador for the growers across the province.