Inniskillin's beginnings start in 1974, when it was founded by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, combining their experience as a grapevine nursery manager and a trained chemist. They were awarded the first winery license in the Niagara region since prohibition ended. Karl Kaiser took the pioneering step in 1983 of attempting to use the harsh Canadian winter to produce ice wine. Although three other wineries also attempted the same, Inniskillin were the only ones to successfully create a significant quantity from their crop.
Inniskillin's success over the years has allowed them to acquire a second winery in Okanagan, British Columbia allowing them to experiment with new non-traditional grape varieties for the region. Inniskillin's pioneering approach has led them to global respect and acclaim. |