Passion, know-how and warm welcomes: Three Dog Winery

They love what they do - and it shows.

The folks at Three Dog Winery are passionate about fine wines and good times - and they are curating both at their acclaimed winery near Picton. Aiming to trade the pretentious for the inviting, Three Dog Winery is delivering on making award-winning wine while fostering a love of vintages old and new.

The Prince Edward County winery is owned and operated by a close-knit group of six family and friends who came together to take over the winery from its previous owners in 2022. With a reputation as farm-first grape growers, they are pushing the boundaries of Ontario wines, but in an accessible way. 

Sarah Coffin, marketing and retail manager said they are truly a team, with everyone hands-on in the day-to-day operations of the vineyard and winery. Her husband, Andrew Rytwinski, is the winemaker, Adam Rytwinski is the operations manager, Kyle Lowry is the Vineyard Manager, Anne Oldfield is the Wine Club Manager and Cecil Rytwinski is the Business Advisor. 

The idea for the winery came just before Christmas in 2020. While driving to Ottawa from Niagara, three of the six saw a lavender farm for sale and fantasized about how idyllic it would be to own and operate a family farm. Although Andrew first tried to talk them out of the idea, it stuck, and they soon found themselves on a tour with a real estate agent looking at farms in Prince Edward County.

Coffin said it took them almost two years and more than 200 Zoom meetings before landing on Three Dog Winery, a winery established in 2014 just northeast of Picton. Fast forward to today, and Three Dog grows Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and Baco Noir and is expanding its grape offerings, planting Gamay and Chardonnay last summer. 

The Wines

Three Dog Winery is coming off of an incredible year with multiple medals across the board for their wines. Most notably, Three Dog Winery earned gold medals at the All Canadian Wine Championships for its Pinot Grigio, 2023, as well as its Debut Sparkling, 2023. At the Ontario Wine Awards, Three Dog Winery took home three more golds with its 2022 Gamay, Foxcroft Riesling (Dry) and Dog House Rosé.

Indeed, Coffin noted that their best-selling wines have been the Dog House series, which includes a white blend, the Rosé and a red blend. Even so, she said Three Dog Winery’s Pinot Grigio, Baco Noir and Spritzs have gained popularity in the past few years.

Their recent success is getting attention. The Toronto Star wine columnist even gave the Estate Pinot Noir and the Estate Cabernet Franc a 95 and 94 point rating, respectively, last spring, which Coffin said was a big boost.

What’s more, Three Dog Winery was recently voted among Ontario’s Top 20 Wineries of 2024 by Vine Routes, earning a spot in the prestigious list for the first time. The wineries chosen are standouts from across the province, celebrated for both their exceptional wines and the visitor experience.

The positive reception seems to be a blend of making the wine experience inclusive and inviting while still upholding the quality of the wine and expert winemaking. “We try to remove the pretentious air surrounding fine wine, while still producing elevated and award-winning wines,” Coffin said. “Our goal is for everyone to have an equally rewarding experience with our product, whether your wine knowledge is novice or advanced. We get thousands of visitors a year and have turned many wine-haters to wine lovers. That’s what it’s all about.”

Coffin added that Andrew, as the winemaker, brings a unique skill set to the job. Not only does he have a background in chemistry and laser physics, he has learned from some of the best winemakers in Niagara. “His overt passion for wine, years of training in Niagara paired with his extensive background in chemistry makes him an amazing technical winemaker,” she said. 

The Experience

Walking into the tasting room at Three Dog Winery instantly feels like home. Visitors can expect a warm welcome from Sarah and then choose to experience a bar tasting indoors with one of the winery’s WSET-certified staff members or enjoy the gorgeous, sprawling patio overlooking the vineyard. With a dozen tables with umbrellas, as well as covered picnic tables and roofed pergola areas, it’s a comfortable and perfect place to experience the wine while enjoying special moments with friends or family. During the winter, the tasting room is perfect for cozying up by the fire, sipping, and relaxing. Dogs are always welcome. 

With tasting flights, wine by the glass and live music every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. it’s a solid social plan. Pizzas are also available from May to October, with cheese plates and charcuterie available all year round. “Our staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and when the sun is hot and the wine is cold; you really couldn’t ask for a better afternoon spent with friends, your partner or your pup,” Coffin said.

Better yet, make a weekend out of it and stay over. The Vineyard Loft is a studio loft apartment on the grounds of Three Dog Winery, with a stunning view of the vineyard. With access to a private patio in the summer and back trails for snowshoeing in the winter, it’s the perfect place to hang your hat while enjoying the County and the winery itself.

Experience Three Dog Winery at 1920 Fish Lake Road, Picton or learn more online at www.threedogwine.com. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @threedogwinery.