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Throughout the history of Ontario, there has always been men making spirits from grains and fruits. Locally there were a few commercial operations, but records of early establishments are sparse. The earliest mention of a distillery in Grimsby's history is in a lease agreement dated Aug 11, 1823. The distillery was owned by Henry Nelles and John E. Kay was to use the distillery for one season.

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Distillery Lease Agreement
11 August 1823
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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In 1858 William Kitchen's farm included a large orchard and grapery. Kitchen opened one of the first wineries in Canada, as joint owner with J. R. Pettit. This winery opened in 1864 and used grapes from both the Kitchen and Pettit farms and rhubarb grown on the property. In the "Canadian Almanac" of 1866, Kitchen advertised his 'Pure Grape Wine'. In 1868 W. W. Kitchen encouraged local businessmen to invest in his company which was to include grape growing, a winery and canning factory.

At the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 Kitchen won a medal for his unfermented grape juice.

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Grimsby Grape Growing, Wine Making and Fruit Canning Company Circular
1868
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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Advertisement for W. W. Kitchen's Pure Grape Wine
19th Century, Circa 1864
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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DUNROBIN DISTILLERY

Dunrobin Distillery was established in 1930 by Dr. Sutherland. The company was located at the corner of Oak and Elm Streets in a building constructed for use by Wellington VanDyke and Sons. The location was the site of the Dalton Basket Factory which was destroyed by fire in 1914. Dunrobin Distillery produced many spirits and used spoiled wine and excess grapes for distilling into alcohol. This distillery also made fruit spirits used to fortify local wines. The alcoholic strength of these wines would approach 35% which would rival whisky, a very popular drink in pre-war times. When Dunrobin Distillery closed, the operation was purchased by United Distillers. Later it was purchased by Seagrams, which closed the distillery in Grimsby in 1954.

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Dunrobin Brandy Bottle, Shipping Crate and 3 Quart Copper Measure from the Dunrobin Distillery
20th Century, Circa 1930
Dunrobin Distillery, Corner of Oak and Elm Streets, Grimsby Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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Spirit Labels from the United Distillers Limited
20th Century, Circa 1940
United Distillers, Corner of Oak and Elm Streets, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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Spirit Labels from the United Distillers Limited
20th Century, Circa 1940
United Distillers, Corner of Oak and Elm Streets, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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Silver Fizz London Dry Gin United Distillers Shipping Crate
20th Century, Circa 1940
United Distillers, Corner of Oak and Elm Streets, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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GRIMSBY WINES LIMITED

A local winery was opened in 1928 by a group of businessmen from Grimsby. The winery was located on Highway 8, now 166 Main Street West. Licensed in 1928 as the Grimsby Grape and Wine Company Limited, this local winery was reorganized in 1932 as Grimsby Wines Limited. Grimsby Wines was managed by William J. Ryan until 1966 when it was acquired by Parkdale Wines Limited from Toronto. The winery was closed shortly after, but Parkdale continued to operate the adjoining farm to show local growers that hybrid, high-quality vinifera grapes could be successfully grown in the area.

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Grimsby Wines Limited Mellowed Sherry Bottle
20th Century, Circa 1940
Grimsby Wines Limited, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

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REIDER DISTILLERY BECOMES KITTLING RIDGE ESTATE WINES AND SPIRITS

Kittling Ridge, opened in 1992, is a unique addition to the industry in Grimsby. This company, owned and operated by John Hall, blends historical and innovative techniques in its facility. Kittling Ridge is the only combined winery and distillery in Canada. The operation includes a fruit processing area and fermentation cellars, and the distillery section houses traditional copper pot stills and stainless column still towers. Both the distillery and winery combine in their use of the oak barrel ageing cellars. Since purchasing the facility from Otto Reider, a local distiller in 1992, John Hall has won numerous awards and recognitions for his wines, spirits and his signature product, blended ice wine with brandy.

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John Hall of Kittling Ridge Explains The Grimsby Wines Farm and Parkdale Wines
26 January 2009
Grimsby Wines Limited, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hall, John
Grimsby Museum Collection