EXCLUSIVE: Coyote's Run sold to Canopy Growth for $10M

Canopy Growth Corp. has bought Coyote's Run Estate Winery in NOTL for almost $10 million.

The deal involves two parcels of land. The larger one, at 485 Concession 5 Rd., is 58.89 acres and sold for $9.1 million, according to land registry records.

The other transaction, for 5.02 acres at 503 Concession 5 Rd., sold for $898,000. The sale of both pieces of land closed on Friday, April 26.

The winery operation abruptly closed its retail operation on Monday.

Jordan Sinclair, vice-president of communications for Canopy Growth, confirmed the purchase in an email to The Lake Report.

He said the company hopes to continue the grape-growing operation on the properties.

“Canopy Growth took action to purchase Coyote Run Estate Winery upon learning of its availability. The decision to acquire the property is consistent with the company’s national approach to operations and business expansion,” said Sinclair.

“While we do not plan to continue wine production at the facility ourselves, we are hoping to work in partnership with an experienced grape grower who is committed to cultivation in a sustainable manner that complements the company’s operations in Niagara-on-the-Lake,” he said.

Coyote's Run was bought from the Aubry family by Jiawei (Paul) Wang in 2016.

Canopy Growth is a publicly traded cannabis company based in Smith Falls, Ont. It is also a parent company of Tweed Farms, which has a 1-million-square-foot greenhouse located next to the Coyote’s Run property along Concession 5 Road.

The sale and closure of the winery operation caught many people by surprise, although in 2017 published reports said a deal to sell to Canopy was almost completed but fell through.

On Monday, Victoria Straker, the winery’s retail manager, announced that all events and wine club member subscriptions were cancelled.

“On a personal note, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your patronage and your loyalty not just to Coyote’s Run but to my staff and me,” she said in an email to customers. “I have enjoyed meeting all of you and our events spent together…Thank you and keep the wine flowing.”

A sign posted on the door at the main entrance to the NOTL winery, read: “Dear customers, Coyote’s Run retail is now closed until further notice. Thank you for your patronage.”

The winery’s website has also been taken down.