about us

The Winery

From tobacco fields to vineyards, discover the story and people behind Burning Kiln Winery

For generations the sandy loam soil at Burning Kiln Winery was used to grow premium tobacco. Now the same land is home to our vineyards.

OUR HISTORY

A Burning Kiln

Norfolk County’s countryside features weathered green and red buildings — historical tobacco kilns used to dry harvested leaves. A burning kiln was a huge loss for a farmer and would draw neighbours to witness the spectacle and help in any way they could.

When the tobacco industry declined, a group of like-minded individuals seized the opportunity to revive and reinvent the area. Burning Kiln Winery was established as a community-rebuilding endeavour, transforming the same sandy loam soil that once grew premium tobacco into thriving vineyards.

2011

Established

50+

Acres

UNESCO

Biosphere

MEET THE TEAM

Our Winemakers

SENIOR WINEMAKER

Nik Antunovich

Hailing from New Zealand, Nik earned his graduate diploma from Lincoln University in Lincoln, NZ, before gaining valuable hands-on experience across the globe. His winemaking journey has taken him through the USA, Austria, Germany, and France, where he honed his skills and developed a well-rounded perspective on both traditional and modern techniques. He eventually settled in Ontario’s Niagara region, where he brings international insight to the local terroir.

Nik has a deep respect for the environment and takes a thoughtful approach to each vintage, working with the natural elements to let the fruit shine. He believes wine should be approachable, easy to drink, and enjoyable for everyone, while still reflecting quality and care.

WINEMAKER

Jonathan O'Connor

Originally from Australia, Jonathan studied Wine Science at Charles Sturt University before honing his craft across some of Australia’s most renowned wine regions, including New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. His cool-climate experience includes both Okanagan and Niagara regions prior to Norfolk County.

Guided by the belief that great wine is made in the vineyard, Jonathan follows a “less is more” philosophy, allowing fruit and terroir to speak for themselves. He is passionate about crafting wines that are fun, approachable, with a particular love for bright, acid-driven styles. Above all, Jonathan has a deep appreciation for traditional method sparkling wines, a category that continues to inspire his work and palate.

Our Management Team

general manager

Ashley Walmsley

Ashley’s journey into the world of tourism and hospitality started just across the road at Long Point Eco-Adventures, where she worked as a zipline guide and discovered her love for Norfolk County and the incredible experiences within. She joined Burning Kiln Winery in 2016 as Events Manager and quickly became a driving force behind everything from relaxed patio afternoons to weddings and concert weekends.

With a true passion for wine, hospitality, and bringing people together, Ashley loves being part of it all. You’ll usually find her right in the middle of the action, connecting with guests, supporting the team, and making sure every experience feels special.

Outside of work, Ashley is a cat and concert lover, keeps active on local sports teams, and brings a highly competitive spirit to everything she does, whether it’s game night or event day.

events manager

Bobbie Jo Griffin

Bobbie Jo has a talent for bringing people, ideas, and a little bit of magic together. With a background in planning beautiful weddings and events, she knows how to keep things organized while still having plenty of fun.

She believes every great plan starts with coffee… and ends with red wine.

retail manager

Heather Smith

Before joining the Burning Kiln Winery team, Heather pursued studies in recreation, leisure, and therapeutic programming, building a strong foundation in creating engaging, people-focused experiences.

Heather has a genuine passion for connecting with others, whether she’s welcoming new guests or catching up with familiar faces. Her friendly, approachable nature makes everyone feel at ease, and she takes pride in fostering a warm, inclusive atmosphere for both customers and staff.

Heather is known for being able to fix just about anything, and she enjoys spending time with her dog, as well as caring for her birds and chickens. When it comes to wine, her go-to is Harvest Party White, a favourite that reflects her easygoing and welcoming personality.

sales manager

Bobby Maerz

Bobby manages both Outside Sales and Offsite Events for Burning Kiln, playing a key role in getting our wines into the hands of customers both near and far. Around the winery, you’ll often find him processing LCBO, licensee, and online orders, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Bobby is also frequently on the road making local deliveries, connecting with partners, and setting up for community events.

His connection to Front Road goes back over a decade, having first joined the our sister business across the road, Long Point Eco-Adventures as a zipline guide in 2014.

Bobby is a familiar face both at the winery and out in the community. When he’s not working, he enjoys fishing and tackling home renovation projects. If you were to ask him what his favourite wine is, he would tell you it’s BKW’s Inferno Petit Verdot.

inventory control manager

Sharon Saunders

Sharon has been a cornerstone of Burning Kiln Winery since joining the team in March 2014 as Retail Manager. Over the years, she’s worn many hats across the winery, growing alongside the business into her current role as Inventory Control Manager. From the early days of intimate tastings at a single bar to helping navigate the energy of large scale concert weekends, Sharon has been part of every chapter.

Known for her exceptional organization and steady, encouraging presence, she brings a sense of calm and positivity that supports both the team and the day-to-day flow of the winery. Sharon has a natural way of looking out for everyone around her, there’s a reason she is known as the management “mom”.

marketing coordinator

Jaime Drayer

Jaime brings over 20 years of experience in graphic design, with a background spanning agencies, large corporations, nonprofits and small businesses. After many years of city living and long commutes, she returned to her roots in Norfolk County.

Today, she blends her professional design expertise with hands-on experience from running a small, art-based business to creatively represent the winery.

In her spare time you can find her working on her small business, planning our Crafts at the Kiln artisan market, at home with her nose in a book, trying to save all the cats, gardening, and of course, drinking wine.