Welcome to Willow Springs Winery & Vineyard

Founded by Mario and Julie Testa, Willow Springs Winery is situated in Stouffville, Ontario atop the Oak Ridges Moraine complete with the renowned 11-acre “Testa Stouffville Vineyard.”

The winery produces outstanding, premium VQA wines available at the wine and gift shop and for sampling at the wine tasting bar. As well as at select LCBO stores.

Willow Springs Winery & Vineyard – Wine Country Right On Your Door Step!

Willow Springs Winery

History

The opening of Willow Springs Winery in May of 2001, with its 2400 square foot multi-purpose facility, was the beginning of a dream come true for Mario and Julie Testa.

The exterior of the winery is designed to appear as a board and batten farmhouse with a Cape Cod treatment. The interior look is anything but, with the winery's dramatic, vaulted cathedral ceiling accommodating the wine and gift shop and the complimentary wine tasting bar.

Attached to the main building is the processing facility complete with its rows stainless tanks and French oak barrels. This is where all the wine is produced. Every step of the process from crushing and de-stemming at harvest to bottling the finished product takes place on-site.

In the beginning people told Mario he couldn't possibly grow grapes here on the Oak Ridges Moraine in Stouffville. After planting a test plot of vines on what is now the winery's front lawn to see what would grow and survive the harsh winters, Mario began planting the present day 11-acre “Testa Stouffville Vineyard” in 1995.

Today, the vineyard is a thriving testament to Mario's determination and hard work to grow grapes here and it remains the furthest north you'll find a commercial vineyard in Ontario . Willow Springs also continues to be at the forefront of cold climate viticulture in Ontario with the first successful planting of the cold hardy Frontenac hybrid grapes along with other unique vineyard management techniques.

Originally, Willow Springs produced both fruit and grape wines including a selection of apple wines. However, today the winery has evolved and produces only premium VQA wines having joined the Vintners Quality Alliance in 2001.

Willow Springs is also rich in family heritage. The Testas, like many Italian families made homemade wine for the family table for decades. In fact, the antique family wine press purchased by Mario's grandfather Emilio Testa when he first came to Canada is proudly displayed at the winery. The press was passed on to Mario's father Gino Testa, a successful developer and gentleman farmer and now to Mario himself.

Mario and Julie reside on the property with their three beautiful children – Farrah, Falon and Luke. The Willow Springs name also has strong sentimental value. The spring-fed pound situated between the winery and the Testa's home is lined with a row of stately willow trees planted by Mario's grandfather.

Today, Willow Springs Winery is poised for greatness with the launch of a major market-driven expansion of a new Visiitor's Centre for group tours and tastings.