Icellars Estate Winery is a small boutique VQA member winery located in Niagara Wine Country.  

The 60 acre fallow land was carefully selected by owners Adnan and Elif ICEL based on precise research of ideal growing conditions for premium vinifera varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Viognier. Extensive investigation included soil testing and weather data analysis as well as consultation with scientists, local grape growers and neighbors to determine which varieties would perform best in the vineyard.

The winery uses mainly estate grown fruit from its 48 acres hand-manicured vineyard. The vineyard is overseen and inspected by owners Adnan and Elif, who walk their vineyard on a daily basis, knowing each vine intimately. They sometimes source premium single vineyard grapes in exceptional years.

Since August 2020, Icellars has started full organic farming practices in all of its 60 acres and received Certified Organic designation after completing the 36 months certification process in August 2023. Icellars is not only Certified Organic in farming but also Certified Organic in the cellar dictating much less sulphur use, 100% wild fermentations and minimal intervention. All of 2023 wines and beyond will be Certified Organic by Ecocert Canada.

Icellars follows Regenerative Farming practices which mainly focuses on soil protection for future generations with less tillage. Please read more about this practice at Regeneration Canada.

Icellars is also Certified Sustainable both in vineyard and winery practices. Please check out Sustainable Wine Growing Ontario program.

Icellars has just finished a big Greenhouse Gas Reduction project with the help of a Government of Canada grant to be the first Net Energy Zero Winery in Canada by June 2023 including solar PV electricity generation, geothermal heating&cooling and precise agricultural technologies.

Icellars is also a signatory of THE PORTO PROTOCOL which guides wineries around the world to implement good enviromental practices.

Small batch wines were made by owner/winemaker Adnan Icel between 2014 and 2024. Mark Williamson is our current Winemaker. Cellar Hands Caleb and Kayla are both graduates of Niagara College Winemaking&Viticulture program.

With this team distinct wines that best show the terroir of the farm are produced, inspired by the classic winemaking styles deeply rooted in the history of viticulture and winemaking.

The winery building was designed and built on the principles of having everything under one roof, creating a simple yet functional space. The winery building designed and engineered by Adnan Icel was chosen to be the most compatible winery building by the Town of N.O.T.L. In 2018.

Small lot wines are processed separately by gravity flow in an environmentally friendly design. The simplicity of the architectural design is echoed by offering only our own limited production wines for sale in a practical but cozy tasting room.

Adnan Icel

Adnan was born in Ankara, Turkiye. He studied Mechanical Engineering in Bogazici University in Istanbul and graduated with BSc. Later he graduated from Istanbul University with a Master of Business Administration degree. His first job was at a large commercial bank where he started after a 10 months Management Training program.

In 1991 he decided to leave the finance sector and founded an engineering company in Ankara. His company Trimetal Engineering was designing and building pre-engineered buildings. The company grew quickly to 60 employees and completed many projects.

Adnan and his wife Elif immigrated to Canada in 2006 for their two sons’ educational purposes. He again founded an engineering company in Oakville, Ontario which designs buildings and renewable energy projects which is still very active.

Adnan had a childhood dream of becoming a farmer as his ancestors tended vineyards in Turkiye for centuries. He purchased a fallow 60 acres land in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and became a viticulturist and winemaker. Icellars recently became a Net Energy Zero winery. Their farm is Certified Organic and Certified Sustainable.

Elif Icel

After studying fashion design and working several years in the fashion industry. Along the way she also assisted in all the family businesses and the tradition continues as Elif is now responsible for retail operations of Icellars, the newest family venture.

Tolga Icel

Second son Tolga is a graduate of McMaster University Commerce program.. He is very much interested in the family’s new wine business and when possible joins his Dad on business trips.

Simba Icel

Adnan and Elif’s ‘third son’ Simba was born in Georgetown in 2012 to a Canadian golden retriever, he was soon after adopted by the Icel family. His love of the farm is obvious and perhaps he is the most excited member of the family business.

Simba crossed the rainbow bridge on March 27, 2022 and resting now in the farm.

The Wine Boutique 

Hours:

Winter Hours: Open 5 days a week. Closed Sundays&Mondays.

11 am to 4:30 pm (weather dependent).

Summer Hours: Open 6 days a week.

Sunday to Friday 11am to 5pm,

Saturdays 11am to 6pm

Mondays Closed

Because of our small size and sit down tasting policy we cannot accept large groups or bus tours.

Book online here or e-mail info@icellars.ca