Our History

 The farm as been in the Marshall family for over 70 years. For years it was a successful tobacco farm that supported three generations. As the tobacco industry went into decline in the early 1980's,Terry and Margaret decided to sell their tobacco quota and work off the farm while they sought a new crop to grow.

After 20 years of various cash crops and with retirement on the horizon, Margaret and Terry felt a strong desire to see the farm stay in the Marshall family. Daughter, Pamela had an interest in helping to establish a business on the farm that would make it sustainable for the next generation so they began to develop a business plan that would achieve this goal.

Over the years, Margaret and Terry had developed a fascination with wine, so the grape growing and wine making industry called to them. While Niagara had long had the corner on the grape market, Margaret and Terry felt they knew the capabilities of their land and were confident in their proximity to Lake Erie and its prevailing winds to make grapes viable on the farm. After consultations with other wineries across Southern Ontario and the Niagara Peninsula, the enterprise seemed to offer enough potential to meet family goals.

Further consultations with officials of the Norfolk District Development Corporation and alternate crops specialists with OMAFRA honed the interest in proceeding. In 2004, 2.5 acres of hybrid vines were planted, followed by 5 acres in 2005. The results have been gratifying and even with one of the most severe winters in history in 2004-05, vine survival was almost 100%.

2007 has seen the construction of Florence Estate Winery's new home and expansion of the vineyard. 14 acres are now in production and the 2007 and 2008 harvests were bountiful!

In June, the Ontario Premier's Award for Agricultural Innovation and Excellence was awarded to Florence Estate Winery, recognizing it's role in establishing a new industry for Norfolk County.