Tawse Winery has been named Canadian Winery of the Year at the 2026 National Wine Awards of Canada. The honour marks the fifth time Tawse Winery has received the distinction.
Founded in 2001 by proprietor Moray Tawse on the belief that Niagara could produce wines equal to those of the world’s great cool-climate regions, Tawse Winery has spent the past quarter-century helping to shape the modern identity of Ontario wine through terroir-driven winemaking, organic vineyard farming and a commitment to quality.
Over the past 25 years, Tawse Winery has become internationally recognized for its single-vineyard expressions of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Gamay. Today, the winery farms approximately 180 acres in Niagara, including 130 acres under vine and more than 128 acres of Certified Organic vineyards, making it the largest organically certified vineyard holdings in Ontario. All estate vineyards are Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Certified.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful as we celebrate 25 years of Tawse Winery,” said Tawse. “When we began, our vision was to craft wines that authentically reflected Niagara’s unique vineyard sites and demonstrated the world-class potential of this region. To be recognized as Canadian Winery of the Year for a fifth time is a tribute to the dedication of our entire team, the exceptional vineyards we steward and the belief that great wines begin in the vineyard.”
The National Wine Awards of Canada attracted more than 1,800 entries from 250 wineries across six provinces. Tawse’s designation was supported by a performance across multiple categories, earning 29 medals in total, featuring two platinum medals and six gold medals.
