In 1998, Joseph DeMaria, having no previous winemaking experience, made his first icewine from a 5000L surplus of Vidal icewine juice. Midway through the process, Joseph made a major error in what he understood to be the process of making icewine. Without letting this error set him back, Joseph continued working with the icewine and through his blind correction of the error, fell upon a wine making technique. The 1998 Vidal Icewine had all the varietal characteristics of a fine wine, the traditional sweetness of an icewine yet did not have the rich, cloying texture within the finish. This first icewine went on to win 5 international awards and the ‘error’ has become the wine making technique that self-taught winemaker Joseph DeMaria has used successfully ever since.

Since the first vintage in 1998, world renowned winemaker Joseph DeMaria has left his mark internationally as being the only winemaker to specialize exclusively in the production of icewine. To date he has produced 24 varietals of icewine, both red and white, including the world’s first: Royal DeMaria 2002 Meritage Icewine, and the world’s most expensive icewine: Royal DeMaria 2000 Chardonnay Icewine.