Winemaking at Featherstone
Winemaking and grape growing are both scientific and intuitive processes. Featherstone wines reflect the special character of the grapes, as well as the artistry of the winemaker, and are pointedly food-oriented, rich, clean and brisk.
As both vineyard manager and winemaker, Kevin Qin is able to work throughout the growing season to enhance the grapes’ natural attributes, ensuring that at harvest he can create exceptional wine with minimal winemaking embellishments.
The vineyard will only yield enough grapes to produce limited amounts of small- lot wines. It is not our goal to buy more vineyard or to expand our production beyond our current level of hands-on, artisanal wine production.
Featherstone was one of the first wineries to use Canadian oak barrels, producing an exceptional barrel-fermented Canadian Oak Chardonnay in 2002. Until recently, oak from Canada had not been considered for winemaking. The integration of our wine with oak grown in the same climate and region is an exciting concept. Encouraged by early successes, Canadian oak barrels at Featherstone continue to play an expanding role.
Head Winemaker: Kevin Qin
Kevin Qin is the Head Winemaker at Featherstone Estate Winery. A graduate of the Niagara College Winery & Viticulture program, Kevin joined Featherstone in 2014 and has grown alongside the winery ever since.
He began his journey in retail, becoming a familiar face across the property before steadily moving into cellar operations and harvest leadership. Over the past decade, Kevin has taken on increasing responsibility in production, playing a key role in shaping the wines that define Featherstone today.
Known for being the first one in the cellar during harvest and the last to leave at the end of a long crush day, Kevin brings a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to every vintage. His leadership reflects both technical expertise and a deep respect for the fruit, the process, and the character of the Twenty Mile Bench.
After more than a decade of dedication to the winery, Kevin was appointed Head Winemaker — a natural and well-earned next chapter rooted in consistency, experience, and a genuine commitment to crafting expressive Niagara wines.
Assistant Winemaker:
To be announced April 27th …
