Jay Johnston

Jay Johnston is the Head Winemaker at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in St. Davids, Ontario, where he leads the evolution of the estate’s wine program with a focus on terroir-driven, small-lot wines.

A respected figure in the Ontario wine industry for more than two decades, he has crafted wines at some of the region’s most acclaimed properties, including Skye Chase Estate Winery, Stratus, Tawse, Hidden Bench, Flat Rock Cellars, Organized Crime and others.

At Ravine, Jay is guiding a renewed emphasis on parcel selection, detailed blending, and process-driven refinement from vineyard to cellar, building on the estate’s strong existing portfolio. His approach centres on highlighting individual vineyard blocks, expanding the range of blending components, and using techniques such as tailored maceration times, fermentation temperatures, and barrel programs to continually elevate quality.​

A graduate of Niagara College’s Viticulture and Winemaking program, Jay has contributed to the development of some of Canada’s most storied wineries, with experience spanning both viticulture and cellar leadership. Over his career he has been recognized for producing some of Ontario’s finest wines, combining deep technical knowledge with a nuanced understanding of cool-climate terroir.

In his role at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Jay works closely with the hospitality teams to ensure the wines reflect the character of the historic St. Davids property and its expanding estate holdings, including the Creek Road Vineyard in the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation. His mandate is to harness these diverse sites to create expressive, age worthy wines that showcase Niagara’s potential while enhancing Ravine’s reputation as a leading destination for authentic, estate-focused wines.