Château des Charmes is a family owned and operated estate winery located in the heart of Niagara Wine Country , Niagara-on-the-Lake, founded by fifth-generation winegrower Paul Bosc. Paul was the first member of his family to return to France to formally study the art of winemaking. He is a graduate of the University of Burgundy in Dijon, one of France's top schools of Oenology. The Boscs eventually immigrated to Canada from French Algeria in 1963. In 1964, Paul joined Chateau-Gai Wines of Niagara Falls. It was at Chateau-Gai that Paul became convinced that the Canadian wine industry had to move away from its traditional grape source, the native labrusca grape, if it was going to survive. He began experimenting with classic European vinifera varieties and by the early 1970's was producing small lots of fine wines that garnered much attention from wine writers throughout Canada and the United States.

By 1978, Paul was convinced that the estate winery model, long practiced in other wine regions, was critical to repositioning the Canadian wine industry along quality lines and founded Château des Charmes in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was here that he planted Canada's first vineyard dedicated exclusively to European vitis vinifera grape varieties. This achievement had long been considered impossible in Canada's climate but it eventually revolutionized the grape and wine industry. Only 10 years after the planting of that pioneering 60 acre vineyard, native grape varieties were banned from table wines by the Wine Content Act of 1988. Paul also believed in stewardship of the land on which his vineyards were planted. He continues to be dedicated to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices in order to produce exceptional quality grapes now and for generations to come.1994 Château des Charmes opened its new state-of-the-art winery and visitor centre. It was immediately hailed as an agri-tourism landmark. Paul's vision of a world class Ontario wine industry led by high quality estate wineries has reached fruition.

Paul Bosc's achievements as an award winning winemaker, research pioneer and industry builder have earned him an international reputation. His honours include a doctorate from Brock University's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (1996), investment with the Order of Ontario (1999), the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2003) and the Tony Aspler Award of Excellence (2004) In 2005 he received the inaugural Canadian Vintner's Association Award of Distinction and invested with The Order of Canada, our nation's highest civilian honour. In 2006, Paul and his wife Andrée were honoured as the Citizens of the Year and received The Lord Mayor Award of Excellence from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce. Most recently Paul was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Niagara Enterprise Hall of Fame and the Ontario Wine Society.

Under Paul's care, Château des Charmes has won hundreds of medals at both national and international competitions including five gold medals at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France, the wine-world's most prestigious competition.

"Winemaker, Paul Bosc, has been described by Leon Adams, the doyen of American wine writers as the best winemaker in Canada."

-Tom Stevenson, Sotheby's World Wine Encyclopedia
London, England

Chateau des Charmes winery is located along the Niagara wine route only 5 minutes from White Oaks Conference Resort.

White Oaks Resort and Spa offers accommodations packages for Weekend Niagara wine getaways in any season!