By Wines in Niagara
The Carmens Group, a Hamilton-based hospitality, food-production and development company, said today that they have acquired Beamsville’s Good Earth Food and Wine Company.
The acquisition marks the company’s second expansion outside of the Greater Hamilton Area, following its November 2022 acquisition of the Arlington Hotel in Paris, Ontario.
Of the acquisition, Carmens Group CEO PJ Mercanti said: “With over 45 years of experience in events and hospitality, we are thrilled to welcome this beautiful winery and restaurant to the Carmens Group family! The winery’s founders and leadership team have done a remarkable job in building a world-class winery and restaurant brand with a tremendously loyal following. We look forward to continuing to invest into the property and making Good Earth one of the premier destinations for wine, dining and private events in the Niagara Region.”
Located on 50 plus acres nestled between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment, the Good Earth Food and Wine Co. has long been a favourite with locals and visitors to Canada’s wine country. The onsite restaurant, which grows fresh vegetables and herbs in bountiful onsite gardens, was recently recognized by OpenTable Canada as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the Country (and one of only four in the Niagara Region represented by OpenTable).
The winery produces an array of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wine products that have received numerous national and international awards by founder Nicolette Novak and current winemaker Ilya Senchuk, also the proprietor of the Leaning Post winery.
Carmens Group said in a news release that they will ensure the property’s wine operations continue to thrive under the current wine production team, which will continue to be led by Senchuk. The existing culinary team of Good Earth will be retained, and the winery’s new general manager will be Matt Loney (still continuing with Stoney Ridge Winery) and formerly Creekside Winery..
As one of Southern Ontario’s leading wedding and event brands, Carmens Group will invest in outdoor tent infrastructure to accommodate summer and fall weddings on the picturesque grounds of the winery. The restaurant will temporarily close for renovations and will reopen on Valentines Day 2025 while all wine sales channels will remain open to the public.
About Carmens Group
Carmens Group is a hospitality, food service, and development company operating over 10 brands with 450 employees. In 1978, Peter, Sam, and Morris Mercanti partnered with their uncle Carmen Mancini to start Carmen’s Bakery on Concession Street. The bakery’s catering division expanded, and the brothers built their flagship event venue, Carmens Event Centre, in 1987.
Over the years, Carmens Group has expanded their portfolio to include the C Hotel, Baci Ristorante, Hamilton Convention Centre, Lakeview., fig & lemon catering, Arlington Hotel, River’s Edge and Mama Yolanda’s Gourmet Lasagna Production Company. In 2015, brothers PJ and Joe Mercanti purchased the business from their father, Peter, and under their leadership has continued its growth. Today, the company leads a consortium, the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group, that is championing the revitalization of downtown Hamilton’s arts and entertainment district, fostering relationships with world class development partners and working tirelessly to put Hamilton on the map.
Note: with information provided by Carmens Group
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