Early Years

As a young boy Peter Neudorf, grew up in the small Mennonite village of Neuanlage in Saskatchewan, later moving to Niagara when he was 12 yrs old. Peter walked to school every day, passing a beautiful farm planted to fruit trees and grape vines. He would stand agape outside the property, bewildered by the riches required to own such an impressive piece of land. This moment, frozen in time, would become Peter’s quiet guiding force in life. 

He left school at a very young age to start in the workforce. He started working in a vineyard in Jordan, then a canning factory in Port Dalhousie and at the age of fifteen landed a job at Niagara Glass. Peter would go on to start his own glass company in 1956.

In 1962 he had the means to buy the land he had revered for so long. The property came with a farm house built in the early 1800s which accommodated the Neudorfs, complete with no plumbing, an outhouse and well for running water the only available amenities at the time. The house would later be moved down the street, and a new home rebuilt on the property.

Peter was busy running the family glass business, it was the children and his wife, Dora, who were put to work maintaining it. Chickens, cows and horses were purchased, rendering the newly acquired Neudorf estate a real live farm.

Dora looked after the grapes and fruit trees, overseeing every aspect of the farm. The doors were always open to family and friends who stopped by, especially on Sundays. She never knew for sure how many would arrive, but it didn’t matter, all were welcome. Aromas from the kitchen and the constant hum of voices still fill the house and Dora continues to ensure everyone is content. The wine is simply an extension of her hard work and unending hospitality.

Peter and Dora always had an interest in wine, drinking whatever was locally available. They embodied a pride for Ontario made wine, and ruthlessly supported whatever was produced in the area.

The Vineyard

An opportunity presented itself in 2000 to work with Vincor, where The Farm grapes would be sold to Le Clos Jordanne. The project would be overseen by consultant and renowned winemaker, Thomas Bachelder. Unbeknownst to Peter and Dora, the land they had purchased housed some of the most premium terroir in Niagara, perfect for pinot noir.

The fruit trees and labrusca/hybrids were uprooted, and the land replanted to pinot.

Peter, in continuing his growing passion for wine, decided that pinot would become his drink of choice to enjoy on the daily with his meals.

“La Petite Colline” aptly named the vineyard, meaning “little hill”, a nod to the gentle slopes that permeate the plot. New world approaches to planting vineyards often result in unnecessary movement of earth, a detriment to the structure and drainage of terroir. La Petit Colline has not been moved much, which maintains its integrity and as such, remains a predominant feature for the calibre of fruit produced.

The vineyard is abundant with limestone – but in such a way it was initially undetected. Bachelder quickly noticed the transmission of this limestone through to the glass, even from the young vines, presenting in a “chalky” manner. When “La Petit Colline”, was planted, excitement reverberated at the discovery of such outstanding quality.

Later, the grapes were leased to Domaine Queylus, but with the agreement that two barrels would be held back for the family to enjoy. With the discovery of such premium wine – ideas began to proliferate, resulting in the Neudorf’s deciding to sell their own label.

La Petite Colline was later renamed to the Neudorf vineyard. Farmed organically from the get-go, this steadfast approach has remained a marker of the Neudorf style. The wines see very little manipulations, are wild fermented, unfined and unfiltered.

Winemaking

It was always the Neudorf’s desire to produce wine which unapologetically showcased the identity of Niagara – so it only made sense their journey began with Thomas Bachelder, lauded as “the king of the classics”. Bachelder set the stage for what The Farm would go on to become – a widely heralded producer, blazing the trail for others to follow suit. From vineyard to glass, The Farm embodies Niagara’s quality and potential. Choosing a marquee winemaker like Bachelder set the bar high, and it was this decision which commanded the gaze of industry and consumers alike.

Eventually, it was time for the baton to be passed. Bachelder’s successor, Kelly Mason, worked under his tutelage at both Domaine Queylus and Le Clos Jordanne, rendering the onboarding of Mason a seamless and synergistic choice. Garnering knowledge from such strong mentorship, the decision was an easy one to hire Mason who would carry forth the prestige Bachelder had built. Mason made wine concurrently at Honsberger Estate, along with farming her fruit under its namesake, Mason Vineyard, which would also become a highly respected label under The Farm.

With a combined 10 years of winemaking under Bachelder and Mason, it was time for The Farm to lean into genesis once again. The Neudorf’s felt ready to build on quality while curating their own unique story. An opportunity presented itself to work with Morgan Juniper from 16 Mile Cellar, neighbours just across the street.

Young and fearless, she describes her style as “conventionally unconventional”, guided by constant The Farm is dedicated to keeping the quality consistent, but also open to experimenting with ways to make the depth of the story and flavour even more exciting, a style in which Juniper excels.

It seems symbiosis is always at play for the Neudorf’s, with their ruthless devotion to family, friends, and community. Inevitably, it will be an exciting time as they embark on their next chapter.

Today

While a winery was a happy accident for Dora and Peter – the real dream was to create a space for family to gather. And gather they have now for three generations.

The focus on family and community permeates in every business decision they make – fruit for their black label is purchased from friends, photography and marketing is farmed out to friends – it seems each person involved, is somehow related to the family in an intimate way.

Because Peter and Dora reside on the property, a tasting room is not a reality. The family worked together to determine how they could sell the wines without disrupting day to day life on the property. It was such that the annual party came to be, opening the cellar door to friends and family with the opportunity to taste new vintages, kick back, eat, laugh and dance.

This tradition has continued for five years, and it is Peter’s dream that The Farm remain in the Neudorf family for future generations to come.