We're always striving to be the best winery possible - whether that comes down to the wines we're producing, our customer service, our ever-evolving patio, our viticultural practices, or the experiences our employees have every time they step onto the property. We're proud of how far we have come and what our team has been able to achieve since we opened our doors, which is why we are excited to share the various standards and certifications we work to, and what exactly they mean when it comes to our standards at Traynor.
Vegan-Friendly Wines
All of our wines are 100% vegan - we don't use any animal-derived fining agents (no egg whites, isinglass, or gelatin). Most guests are surprised to learn that not all wine is vegan; many traditional winemaking methods use animal by-products. Transparency matters to us, so we want our guests to know exactly what is and isn't in their bottle. We were formally Certified Vegan for many years; 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.
Certified Living Wage
Here in Ontario, there is a body that determines what living wage is, depending on where you are living in Ontario. It is constantly changing, but currently in Prince Edward County, the minimum is $17.95/hour. This matters as a business since our team at Traynor is what allows us to thrive, grow and be the best that we can be. This helps make sure we are providing a standard where our team can enjoy coming into work and create a positive and inviting environment for our guests.
Our Approach to Organic Farming (Not Certified Organic)
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. In addition, we use wild yeast and natural processes where possible. When we do need to intervene, we use strictly certified organic and GMO-free ingredients.
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 this region. We're transparent about all of this because we'd rather be straight with you than fly a label that doesn't tell the full story.
Sustainable Practices
Sustainability informs how we operate beyond what we farm. We focus on water and electricity efficiency, fuel use across our tractors and equipment, and the by-products generated by production and the tasting room. Many of our projects over the years have been built with sustainability as the starting point - our Piquette, for example, is made with collected rainwater on the property and the grape skins from other wine production that still have juice on them. Our wine pouches were another step: they release less carbon dioxide than glass to produce and ship.
Bullfrog Powered
Our electricity comes through the grid, but it's sourced from Bullfrog Power, which procures all its energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Wind turbines and solar panels weren't practical on our site, so contracting with Bullfrog was the right way to make sure the power we use is renewable - aligning with the rest of how we operate.
Rainbow Registered
Traynor is committed to being a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community. We've worked through the Rainbow Registered certification process, including training and onboarding our team on inclusive language and proper use of pronouns. With everything happening in the world, this work has felt especially important - to make sure Traynor is a welcoming environment for everyone.
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The team continues to evolve, learn, and grow together, and we are proud of how much we have achieved over the last few years. For updates on what's happening at the vineyard or how you can visit, follow us on social: @traynorvineyard.
