At Traynor Family Vineyard, our dedication to sustainability and respect for the environment has shaped how we farm, how we make wine, and what ends up in your bottle. We are proud to offer a portfolio of vegan, low-intervention wines that cater to both seasoned connoisseurs and those embarking on a new taste adventure. In this post, we walk through what that actually means at Traynor.
How We Farm: Organically, But Not Certified
While we are not certified organic, we do maintain our own vineyards organically - and often beyond - through the adoption of permaculture practices and our focus on biodiversity. We have farmed our estate vineyard without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides since 2018. We use wild yeast and natural processes where possible. When we do need to intervene, we use strictly certified organic and GMO-free ingredients - including Nurture Growth Bio-Organic Fertilizer, Bordeaux mixture (copper and sulphur), and Epsom salts.
We have chosen not to pursue formal organic certification at this time - the administrative cost outweighs the benefit at our scale. The fruit we source from grower partners across Ontario (primarily Niagara Peninsula) is conventionally farmed, since certified-organic fruit is essentially impossible to source at scale in Ontario. We are transparent about all of this because we would rather be straight with you than fly a label that does not tell the full story.
Vegan Wines, No Compromise
All of our wines are 100% vegan - we do not use animal-derived fining agents such as egg whites, milk proteins, isinglass, or gelatin. We were formally Certified Vegan for many years through Bevveg; we have since let the third-party certification lapse to redirect that overhead, but our wines have not changed - they remain 100% vegan, made the same way they always have been.
By employing alternative fining methods and minimal intervention, we maintain the character and quality of our wines while staying true to our values. This commitment allows us to craft wines that are not only delicious but also align with our ethical approach to winemaking.
Biodiversity at the Heart of the Vineyard
Our 5.5-acre estate vineyard is part of a broader effort to encourage biodiversity. We maintain a permanent cover crop of mixed grass, clover, and dandelion between our vineyard rows - the dandelions feed the pollinators, the clover fixes nitrogen, and the grass prevents soil erosion. We have built permaculture swales to slow surface water runoff and improve moisture penetration. We have planted windbreaks to help the vines stay hydrated on our windy site. Each season we add herbs, flowers, and trees that support local pollinators and wildlife - hazelnut, sea buckthorn, elderberry, lavender, and more.
The Best Traynor Vineyard Has to Offer
Our vegan, low-intervention wines are a testament to our dedication to excellence and sustainability. We believe they represent the pinnacle of what the Traynor Family Vineyard can achieve. With each bottle, we strive to deliver a unique and memorable taste experience while remaining true to our environmental ethos.
Discover Your New Favourite Wine
Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply looking to try something new and delicious, we are confident you will find something to love in our selection. So if you want to enjoy a glass of wine that is both delightful and produced with respect for the environment, be sure to give the wines at Traynor Family Vineyard a try.
We invite you to join us as we continue to push the boundaries of low-intervention, biodiversity-focused winemaking. Cheers to a future filled with thoughtful, vegan wines from Traynor Vineyard.
