The Plans for Dan Aykroyd's Winery

Last year, when Dan Aykroyd announced his first wine-making adventure he hinted that there was more to come. And earlier this month when it was announced that he was participating in the first Niagara wine auction, it seemed that a big announcement was imminent. Sure enough, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits has announced that they are building The Dan Aykroyd Winery. The project is ambitious. A $12-million, 45,000-square-foot winery will be built off the QEW highway where the company's Birchwood Estate winery is currently located. The winery will also showcase some of Aykroyd's movie and television memorabilia. Groundbreaking should be this fall with the winery being operational for a fall 2008 harvest. A couple more views of what looks to be a rather substantial undertaking after the jump.


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
paula Jun 30th 2007 6:24AM
I hope they have tours and tastings! Nothing like the tastes of local wineries! And Thank GOD this isn't yet ANOTHER Celebrity restaurant!!!
justpicky02 Jun 30th 2007 7:21AM
I BEEN ON GEW HIGHWAY , NOTHIHG FANCY ABOUT THAT BORING ROAD ........
blackydog Jun 30th 2007 8:16AM
OK where's it at!
ck Jun 30th 2007 8:21AM
I agree - where is this place? Is it California? Are those of us on the east coast supposed to know where that highway is?
Deb Jun 30th 2007 8:29AM
The QEW is in Toronto, Ontario Canada and the surrounding towns/cities. You can take it around Lake Ontario towards Niagra Falls where most of the wineries are located. From Niagra Falls you cross to the Canadian side and locate the QEW and head towards Toronto from that side and follow to the wineries.
Karin Jun 30th 2007 8:31AM
The world needs another place to taste wine. Why not build a homeless shelter or a place for battered woman? Why not feed a few families , a few kids, help a dad get a job, or pay for someones health insurance for a few years,or give 100 car to needy people. Lord knows there is more good to do with money then start an alcholics dream spa
Lillian Jun 30th 2007 8:34AM
Try going to Google...type Birchwood Estate Winery in the browser...and there you will find where QEW is. Very simple.
Nancy Jun 30th 2007 8:36AM
Beamsville,Ontario is where the winery is.
Aseret Jun 30th 2007 8:37AM
To comment #6:
Why can't they do this for themselves? I work hard for my money. I'm always helping people that are down on their luck. I've realized that for most of these people, it is a CHOICE to live like that. I'm not intending this response for children. It is only for adults that have a CHOICE and CHOOSE to live below standard. #6-GIVE YOUR OWN MONEY AND LEAVE MINE ALONE! btw-i do not drink wine
dave Jun 30th 2007 8:47AM
to comment number 4....a keyword in the paragraph above was "Niagra"...i want you to think about that, then get back to me. ok?
Danielle Jun 30th 2007 8:52AM
Karin, although this may not be the type of enterprise many would approve, it is a business that WILL help the community by hiring more people and giving THEM the chance to support THEMSELVES. I agree that giving things is great, but Ted Turner opened my eyes when I watched him giving an interview. He holds the belief, and so do I, that giving people the opportunity to have a job builds skills, self esteem, and the chance to help people more than giving them handouts does.
Mark Jun 30th 2007 9:09AM
DITTO
6. The world needs another place to taste wine. Why not build a homeless shelter or a place for battered woman? Why not feed a few families , a few kids, help a dad get a job, or pay for someones health insurance for a few years,or give 100 car to needy people. Lord knows there is more good to do with money then start an alcholics dream spa
Colleen Jun 30th 2007 9:10AM
hey #10 - there are a few Niagra's. One being an airport in Buffalo, NY. Why don't you think about that and get back to #4 and apologize?
tlh Jun 30th 2007 9:19AM
Well, as long as we're all being snarky, it's spelled "NIAGARA."
perry Jun 30th 2007 9:21AM
Hey 13 ,4, and 10. Why don't you all hook up and apologize to each other and then come back and apologize to me. Think about it and get back to me.......
Lillian Jun 30th 2007 9:23AM
Dave...you are right. The word Niagara in the article was a big clue....but I love the challenge of doing a "look up" and finding out more info about the area. Typing Birchwood Estate Winery in a web broswer was an easy way to find out anything relating to the article....gives people more ways to use a broswer tool and learn.
mdvk Jun 30th 2007 9:26AM
How wonderful to see one of SNL's originals not being spoken of in past tense. I have always admired Mr. Akroyd's work as an actor and I agree that he is giving this community a great opportunity! My hope is that we'll still see him on stage and screen, but I konw my future travel plans will include a trip North! Bravo Mr. Akroyd! Well done!!!
Barbara Allen Jun 30th 2007 9:29AM
I think everyone should be allowed to spend their money as they are lead from within. Giving in anyway should not be forced. If those in need will have another place to find a job, then so be it with a winery or whatever. Life is all about choices. A new winery is much better than a new prison.
jk Jun 30th 2007 9:50AM
The QEW is the Queen Elizabeth Way in Canada. It runs from southern Ontario around Niagara Falls and goes North around Toronto
dave Jun 30th 2007 10:10AM
number 13, i want to thank you for pointing out the fact that there are multiple niagara's for me. for a minute there after i read the article, i had assumed they were building a winery at the niagara airport. boy im glad i turned out to be wrong.