John and Lisa purchased the 7.5 acre farm from Alan and June Woodworth, who were seventh generation Woodworths to own the property.
In the spring of 2011 the vineyard was planted. Grow tubes were used that first year and the vineyard became known as the ``blue tube vineyard``. The first grapes planted were German Riesling.
A small experimental harvest in this year confirmed the potential of John & Lisa's dream to craft quality wines from their terroir in Port Williams, NS. Plans to renovate the 155 year old timber-frame-barn were set into action, creating the winery that would be known as Planters Ridge, after the New England Planters who farmed the land for 250 years.
The very first harvest produced a crop of 15 tonnes off of the vines of the Estate Vineyard. This crop would go on to produce a National award winning Tidal Bay blend, the first wine bottled at Planters Ridge. This proved to be an impressive feat in the Winery's first year of producing wines.
Planters Ridge Winery opened it's doors on June 27, 2014, welcoming 200 people to the winery to celebrate it's grand opening.
John & Lisa expanded the acres of vines through the purchase of a premium vineyard on the foot of the North Mountain. This hidden gem was named Basalt Ridge Vineyard and it's unique wine grape varieties would add a level of distinction to the portfolio of wines produced by Planters Ridge.