As a winemaker constantly looking to further develop his skills, Jean-Pierre has spent time in Chile's, Carmen Vineyards, Argentina 's Bodega Chandon (Moet et Chardon) and at New Zealand 's Oyster Bay. Jean-Pierre has studied and worked under a number of exceptional winemakers including Michel Givors of Morgon in Beaujolais and Gilbert Picq in Chablis, in order to gain an appreciation for wine making techniques in other regions of the world. It was that very desire to experience new challenges in the field of winemaking that drew him to the Niagara Region, where he combines an old-world winemaking philosophy with new-world technology to craft Peninsula Ridge's line of premium VQA wines.
Using the French concept of "terroir" a combination of soil structures, climactic conditions, and the adaptation of a certain varietal to those conditions in order to express a unique result in the wines it will produce. Jean-Pierre hopes to set Peninsula Ridge apart from other producers in Niagara by offering our cliental something uniquely "us".
The pinnacle of his career thus far has been the selection of his Domaine Laroche Grand Cru Les Clos 1996 as the "White Wine of the Year" by Wine Spectactor Magazine, 1998 (99 pts). Jean-Pierre was awarded with the Best Wine for Wine Enthusiast, Grand Cru Chablis Blanchots "Reserve de l'obedience" 1996 in 1998 (99 pts). Most recently Jean-Pierre was named 2006 Winemaker of the Year at the 2006 Ontario Wine Awards.
Through Jean-Pierre's continued efforts in distinctive, signature winemaking techniques Peninsula Ridge has garnered a reputation for producing excellent Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah and Bordeaux Reds.
As a passionate advocate for Peninsula Ridge and the Niagara region, Jean-Pierre is a director of the Canadian Wine Library at the Cool Climate and Viticulture Institute at Brock University in St. Catharines and a member of The Founders' Club of Peninsula Ridge.
