13th Street Winery in Niagara run by third generation of Whittys

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Doug and Karen Whitty are the co-owners and proprietors of 13th Street Winery in Niagara, Ont., the latest addition to a three-generation agricultural family business started more than 100 years ago.

Whitty Farms, established in 1908 by Whitty’s grandparents, focused on grape and fruit production.

In addition to expanding the agricultural operation in the 1990s with such initiatives as direct-to-consumer, pick-your-own and a bakery, the Whittys, along with a partner, bought 13th Street Winery in 2006.

They expanded what was a small craft winery producing under 3,000 cases to now producing more than 20,000 cases and adding such initiatives as a store, an outdoor kitchen and an art gallery.

Here, the Whittys share how they work as a family to maintain the family business.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family business background.

Doug Whitty: “I am a third-generation leader of Whitty Farms, which was established in 1908 by my grandparents. Historically, our primary focus was on grape and tender fruit production.

Karen and I expanded our agricultural operation in the 1990s to include direct-to-consumer and value-added initiatives such a roadside market, pick your own crops and a bakery.

In 2006, in partnership with our friends John and June Mann, we purchased 13th Street Winery, which at that time was a very small craft winery producing under 3,000 cases.

In 2023 our production has now grown to over 20,000 cases and at the 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada, we were judged to be the Best Winery in Ontario. Visitors to 13th Street Winery can also enjoy our bakery, farm store, outdoor kitchen, sculpture park, contemporary Canadian art gallery and on farm accommodations.

Our most important ‘crop’ is our three sons, who we hope will carry on our family business successfully into the future.”

What was your experience growing up in a family business?

DW: “Growing up in the family business was a great learning experience. My four brothers and I were very fortunate in that our parents were great role models of discipline, hard work, innovation, compassion and vision.

Our family business has witnessed huge changes and many challenges over the years.

One of the benefits of growing up in family business is that I was given a lot of responsibility at a young age which included the freedom to make a lot of mistakes (which I did!). I believe that an important reason for our continued success now is that I was taught to make both business and personal decisions based upon the long term with a stewardship perspective.”

Is there any memorable support you got that helped you as a next generation leader in a family business?

DW: “The support I remember every day is that it was only possible for me to be a next generation leader in a family business because of the hard work, sacrifice, patience, commitment and financial investment of family members who established, and developed the business before me.

If it were not for their confidence and financial support in the early years and during the tough times we have faced, we simply would not be in business at all today.

The challenge for Karen and I now is to successfully mentor the next generation for continued success and to create the necessary conditions for our business to remain relevant and sustainable into the future.”

Karen, when did you decide to take on a leadership role, and how did your family support you in that decision?

Karen Whitty: “In my late 30s, I made the decision to change careers and committed to play a leadership role in our family farm business.

We were in position and were encouraged to make a bold move to grow and evolve our company. It allowed me to express myself as an entrepreneur and allowed for personal growth.

Support came from both sets of parents and extended families in different forms, including everything from mentorship to financial assistance and help with childcare.”

Karen, what challenges have you faced as a woman in a family enterprise environment?

KW: “In recent years, the opportunities for leadership and involvement by women in agriculture and the wine business have grown rapidly.

I am now the co-owner and general manager of 13th Street Winery. I have also been able to take on industry leadership roles such as serving on the board of directors for Farm Fresh Ontario.

As women, it can be challenging to balance family life and a growing business. Sharing the load and establishing priorities is essential.”

What has your experience been as parents or caregivers as you have also navigated your business role?

DW: “Our experience is that it is very easy to become so focussed upon ensuring that the family business survives and thrives, especially during challenging times, that you can start to lose sight of other parts of life that are also very important.

Regular self-assessment of how we were doing with respect to maintaining what many people would consider a healthy work-life balance was something Karen and I tried to do but, to be honest, it was often easier said than done.

As parents, we were very fortunate in that our children were generally well behaved, happy to be involved and were interested in the business. We tried to make it fun for them and we encouraged their interest in personal activities outside the business, such as sports.”

Can you offer any advice to next generations of family businesses who might want to take the reins in future, or strike out on their own?

DW: “Becoming involved in a multigenerational family business can be very fulfilling and rewarding but there are often inherent personal risks and pressures that you need to be aware of and manage properly.

My father meant well but I lived most of my life in fear of age-old business adages such as ‘You know what they say, Doug, the first generation starts it, the second generation grows it, and the third generation loses it!’ Or, ‘Shirts sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations.’

I would say to the next generation who want to become part of a family business that fear of failure is not necessary a bad thing as it can be a great motivator for success and it can help prevent you from making major mistakes. But you also cannot allow fear or familial pressures to control your life in an unhealthy way.

I also would say, do not listen to those who say that you need to work smarter not harder. I would say that if you want your family business to succeed or you want to strike out on your own, you better do both.

I think that honest communication, empathy and mutual respect are key components to successful operation and eventual succession for family businesses of any kind.”

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

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