In 1993, founders Ed Neuser and Rita Kaimins became Prince Edward County pioneers by opening the County’s first winery. Neuser, a German-born machinist, came to Canada in 1957. In 1983, he purchased the 100-acre farm and century-old house, planting the seeds for what would become the lynchpin of thriving local wine industry. “It was after a couple glasses of wine, or maybe it was a couple of bottles. Everybody thought we were off our rockers—we had no experience growing grapes, let alone making wine.”

Experienced or not, Ed and Rita were clearly onto something. After starting with just a half acre vineyard, today Waupoos Estates has grown to 20 acres of thriving vineyard. Having help from key collaborators, such as General Manager Kyle Baldwin, who has been running the winery for more than fifteen years, has been a huge part of the winery’s success. “We’ve put the county on the world map, its been quite a journey” —Ed Neuser