Winemaker
Australian born Craig McDonald leads our winemaking team, crafting VQA wines for both Hillebrand Estates and Trius.
Craig's talent in crafting premium wines has been honed over 23 vintages in a number of countries, including the U.S.A, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He has devoted the last 13 vintages to creating award-wining VQA wines in Niagara, and was named Ontario Winemaker of the Year in 2008.
Believing that winemaking starts in the vineyard, Craig looks to our fertile land to inspire and guide his "hands-on" winemaking style: “Being in tune with the vineyard and adapting to the specific growing season is fundamental to our winemaking. Only when we have attained this synchronicity can we then add our personal touch.”
Under Craig’s guidance we look forward to further building Hillebrand’s long standing reputation as an award-winning wine producer and leading wine and food destination in Niagara-on-the-Lake.