About– Leaning Post Wines

Our Story

Leaning Post consistently ranks in the Top 10 Wineries in Ontario with critical scores from both domestic and international wine writers. Featured in top restaurants in Toronto, Montreal, London (UK), and Copenhagen, Leaning Post epitomizes small-scale, artisanal winemaking with minimal intervention, allowing the land to fully show itself in glass. At Leaning Post, you can expect a unique wine experience focused on celebrating terroir.

It’s easy to see the vision the Senchuks had today, but the path to get here had humble beginnings. In 2011, Ilya & Nadia Senchuk acquired a farmhouse nestled on 11 acres of land with the dream of starting the winery. The property included an abandoned vineyard and barn that could only be restored by ‘crazy youths’ with more passion than brains. Through hard work and dedication, they have built a winery that has surpassed even their wildest dreams.

The previously undiscovered vineyard on the estate has proved to be a hidden gem, consistently yielding superb fruit that translated into high-quality Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. These wines have garnered acclaim from both local and international wine critics, establishing Leaning Post Wines as a beacon of excellence in the region.

Nadia & Ilya Senchuk

“Leaning Post was started with faith and a lot of hard work. Off the beaten path in Stoney Creek, we’re doing what we love and forging our own path. From the ground up, we’re crafting wine with a passion so fierce, you can taste it.”

- Nadia Senchuk

Husband and wife Ilya & Nadia Senchuk followed their dream to produce world-class, terroir-driven wines from vineyards across Niagara. Ilya pursued his Oenology & Viticulture degree in Niagara and fell in love with the local wine scene & terroir. After several years as a winemaker in the region, he staked his reputation on an unknown vineyard to showcase his winemaking skills. His partner in business & life Nadia shared his vision and, together, they started Leaning Post Wines. Nadia is a Certified Sommelier and holds an MBA in finance. Together with their three young children, the Senchuks are living their crazy wine dream. Never a dull moment with the kids or business, their life is crazy but full.

ILya Senchuk

Head Winemaker & Co-Founder

Ilya hails from the “grape-growing mecca” of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and dreamed of a career in food and wine. In 1998, Ilya read a magazine about the Brock Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Program, and he knew that was the path to take.

After 12 years as a winemaker in the Niagara region, Ilya dreamed of starting his own project alongside his family. Starting Leaning Post as a virtual label in 2009, he has now spent over 20 years making wine and exploring terroir in Niagara.

Since buying the farm in 2011 that now houses the winery, Ilya has become both a talented winemaker and project manager to make his dream a reality.

Nadia Senchuk

Certified Sommelier & Co-Founder

Nadia met Ilya in Winnipeg during her university years and followed her own path in the business world. First working in Commercial Banking, she caught the entrepreneurial spirit from her customers’ passion for their businesses.

She then worked as Controller and VP of Operations at a local manufacturing company to learn operations on a more practical front.

Now living the entrepreneurial dream, Nadia gets her hands dirty in all areas of the business. To maintain a strong wine knowledge, Nadia received her Certified Sommelier designation along with WSET 3.

Ace Ferris

Assistant Winemaker

Anaïs “Ace” Ferris was originally drawn to the world of wine during her studies at George Brown College in the Food and Beverage Management Program, and decided to further her education at Niagara College by enrolling in the Winery & Viticulture Program.

Ace has worked exclusively in the Niagara region, allowing her an in-depth understanding of this beautiful and unique wine region and to explore the different winemaking techniques being used.

Ace is currently enjoying maternity leave.

Diana Sangster

Assistant Winemaker & Vineyard Manager

Diana moved to the Niagara region to explore her interest in wine. While attending Niagara College for the Winery & Viticulture Program, she discovered her love for the vineyard and winemaking. Since then, she has continued to develop her wine knowledge with further study in WSET and WSG.

After working predominantly in Niagara-on-the-Lake, she is excited to manage the Leaning Post vineyard in its unique microclimate between the escarpment and Lake Ontario. Diana has found a great fit at the winery as she will be hands-on throughout the winegrowing process.

Lauren Redmond

Retail Manager

After graduating from the University of Toronto in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Studies and exploring the environmental work force, Lauren realized her heart belonged to the wine industry. With 10+ years of experience in hospitality, she decided to pursue her passion for wine, enrolling in the Wine Specialization Program at George Brown College – she hasn’t looked back.

Lauren joined the Leaning Post team in February of 2022 and continues to delve further into wine education with WSET and Sommelier training. Lauren is excited to host you at Leaning Post and talk all things wine!

Larysa Baran

marketing Lead

Hamilton born & raised; Larysa joined the Leaning Post Wines crew in November 2023. She attended Sheridan College, graduating from the Advertising & Marketing Communications Management Program.

Larysa worked for a time in the financial industry. From there, she joined a boutique marketing firm specializing in creative, direct marketing, and strategy for corporate clients, not-for-profits, and political campaigns in Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK, working first as a Marketing Coordinator, then as Creative & Project Manager.

Prior to her more formal education and employment, Larysa worked extensively in the hospitality industry and is excited to now be bridging those two worlds.

Our Terroir

At Leaning Post, terroir is not just a feature of our wines; it is the soul of our winemaking, an integral part of our commitment to authenticity, quality, and the celebration of the unique landscapes that shape our extraordinary wines.

Terroir is not just a principle; it is the essence of what defines our winemaking philosophy and distinguishes our wines. Terroir, the unique combination of soil, climate, and topography, imparts a distinctive character to our vineyards, creating wines that authentically reflect the land from which they originate.

Tasting the difference terroir makes is our passion. It’s what makes a wine memorable – on the nose, on the palate, and in life’s shared moments.

Recognizing the importance of terroir goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to environmental stewardship. By preserving the integrity of our vineyard ecosystems, we contribute to the sustainability of our land, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the richness of our terroir.

Leaning Post Wines is Certified Sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO). Leaning Post is committed to being stewards of the land, good community partners, climate action leaders, and is invested in social equity and diversity.

Practicing environmentally responsible & sustainable approaches in the vineyards and winery is our way to ensure that the land we farm and the community we live in remain healthy and viable for future generations.

The Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Certified logo assures consumers that the complete grape to glass cycle is sustainable – that the grapes are grown, and the Ontario VQA wine is crafted with sustainability at the forefront of each winery and vineyard’s business philosophy.

Ilya'S APPROACH

As a winemaker, Ilya seeks to explore Niagara’s terroirs by delving into lesser-known sub-appellations, expressing their unique characteristics in the purest form possible. Leaning Post Wines has become a trailblazer by focusing on high-quality single-vineyard wines that showcase the essence of each site.

At the time of its inception, Leaning Post Wines was among the few wineries in Niagara embracing the Lincoln Lakeshore appellation. The winery’s commitment to site expression and dedication to crafting exceptional wines influenced the landscape of Niagara’s wine industry. Today, the Lincoln Lakeshore sup-appellation boasts about 50-60 wines produced under its title, illustrating the significant impact of Leaning Post Wines on the region.

The winery’s emphasis on appellation and sub-appellation wines aligns with the evolving trends and growth in Niagara. Leaning Post was ahead of the curve, crafting their single-vineyard and sub-appellation wines well before it became a prevalent practice embraced by consumers. In essence, Leaning Post Wines has not only shaped the narrative of Niagara’s wine culture but continues to be a pioneering force in the pursuit of excellence and terroir expression.

“I honestly can’t think of a better medium for me to express myself. It allows me to use my scientific/geeky side and my artistic/creative side. Add to that the connections to place, people, and history, and it is what I love to do most.”

- Ilya Senchuk

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