Local Listings

Schatz Winery

Contact: Liz & Frank Ihrig
Location 72981 Bluewater Highway Zurich Ontario N0M 2T0 CanadaPhone: 519-236-7707Phone: 1-866-543-7736

More Details

Schatz Winery, Hessenland’s darling vineyard and newest chapter for the Ihrig family, builds on the bountiful 40 acres of award-winning gardens that lie at the heart of the property. Five acres of budding vines offer the perfect backdrop for intimate ceremonies, gorgeous photo opportunities and uniquely personal first-looks!

The hybrid and vinifera vines surrounding Hessenland grow from the land that was once home to the Hanoverian horse paddocks of the late Ernst Ihrig (Hessenland Co-Founder). The stories beneath the soil have in turn helped nurture eight grape varietals turned homegrown vintages, inclusive of the ’15-35′ Petite Pearl wine released in October 2018.

Schatz Winery is a hand-tended micro-vineyard.

Since the inaugural vine planting in 2015, Chef and Owner-Innkeeper turned viticulturist Frank, has lead a team of family, friends and community volunteers in tending to a family of grapes inclusive of Marquette, Petite Pearl, Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Frontenac Gris, Siegerrebe (Victory Vine), Frontenac Blanc and La Crescent. 

While inspiration for a vineyard at Hessenland bloomed many moons ago while Frank and wife, Liz, spent a semester in the south of France, the blue clay soil in St. Joseph and the unique offerings of the Lake Huron breeze have shaped the terroir for Schatz Winery.  Planting hybrid vines that are resilient and healthy in this agriculturally rich farm land captures Schatz Winery’s offerings; excellent vines-turned-wines steadily thriving on a ‘quality over quantity’ mantra is the result!

Business Notes

  • Accepts credit cards
  • Air conditioning
  • Family friendly
  • Functions & events suitable
  • Open year-round
  • Parking available on site
  • Private dining
  • RESTAURANT FEATURES
  • Seating
  • Serves alcohol
  • Table service
  • Vineyard views
  • Wedding venue
  • Wheelchair accessible

LOCAL LIBATIONS

Geocaching Tip: Sip & Savour

A burgeoning beverage industry has taken root in Lake Huron Shores soil. Sip and savour the liquid bounty of family-owned and operated beer, wine and cider microbreweries. Taste test international, award-winning apple and pear ciders and wines at Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House. Or create your own viticulture tour starting with Alton Farms Estate Winery in Plympton-Wyoming, followed by Dark Horse Estate Winery near Grand Bend, Schatz Winery in St. Joseph (part of Hessenland Inn) and ending at Maelstrom Winery (three award-winning wines) east of Vanastra.

If a cool beer is more your style you won’t be disappointed, the area boasts seven microbreweries – Bad Apple Brewing Company near St. Joseph., Stone House Brewing Company (Varna), Bayfield Brewing Company (Bayfield), River Road Brewing & Hops (Bayfield), Cowbell Brewing Company (Blyth), Half Hours on Earth Brewery (Seaforth) and Stonepicker Brewing Company (Plympton-Wyoming).

Did You Know?

Beer is one of the oldest and most widely consumer alcoholic drinks in the world, and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea.