Harald Thiel
Vigneron / Proprietor
Since he was a young man Harald has had the dream of owning a premium quality artisanal winery. In 2003, after a successful business career in the audiovisual industry, he and his family founded Hidden Bench Estate Winery with the goal of producing premium quality estate grown wines, which Canadians could serve with pride side by side with the best wines in the world. As a hands-on fully engaged owner he is actively involved in the day to day operations of the winery from vineyard to bottle and provides the winery its strategic direction and focus. A passionate foodie and wine consumer, he is also one of the founders of the Upper Canada Cheese Company and the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Festival. A strong believer in giving back, he sits on a number of not–for–profit boards, is the current Chair of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and has spearheaded a number of local environmental causes to protect the Beamsville Bench area. In his spare time Harald loves to read, cook, fly fish and ski.
Vital Wine Stats:
Aha! Wine: 1970 Chateau Cheval Blanc
Favourite Pinot Noir Pairing: Butterflied Leg of Lamb grilled over vines
Favourite Chardonnay Pairing: Steamed Canadian Lobster with clarified butter
Favourite Riesling Pairing: Alsace Tarte/ Flammkuchen or Atlantic Oysters
Favourite HB wine: Love them all equally but differently!!!
Alex Baines
Winemaker
Alex was promoted to Winemaker in March 2022 and has been a part of the team since January 2017. Originally from England, he has over 15 vintages of experience at premium producers in California, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. He graduated from the Niagara College Viticulture and Winemaking program in 2015 and was the inaugural recipient of the Ontario Wine Awards Paul Pender Memorial Rising Star Award in 2022. The focus on quality and the multifaceted responsibilities associated with a craft winery originally attracted Alex to join our small winery team. Alex has a keen interest in organic and biodynamic viniculture and above all the attention to detail required to craft exceptional terroir driven and low intervention wines. When not in the cellar, Alex enjoys riding his motorcycle or playing soccer a couple of times a week.
Vital Wine Stats:
Aha! Wine: 2010 Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir
Favourite Pinot Noir Pairing: Duck Confit Leg, Seared Duck Breast with Red Cabbage
Favourite Chardonnay Pairing: Roast Chicken with roasted potato and seasonal veggies
Favourite Riesling Pairing: Blue Cheese and Pear Wood Fired Pizza
Favourite HB Wine: Felseck Pinot Noir
Joel Williams
Vineyard Manager
Originally from New Brunswick, Joel’s love of quality focused organic agriculture and great wine has led him to his current role at Hidden Bench. Quality driven with an acute attention to detail, Joel leads a dedicated team of 12 in the maintenance and continual improvement of HB’s 32 hectares of organic estate vineyards. A CAPS certified sommelier, Joel’s understanding of the direct link between precision organic viticulture, the winemaking process and the final product makes him a vital component of the HB viniculture team. Prior to joining HB Joel attended St Thomas University in New Brunswick and acquired valuable experience working with a couple of the top Niagara producers. When he is not working, Joel loves to cook, enjoy great wine and forage in the natural surroundings of the Beamsville Bench with his wife, Jen and their son, Sawyer
Vital Wine Stats:
Aha Wine: 1996 Frei Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Favourite Pinot Noir Pairing: Braised Rabbit with Morels
Favourite Chardonnay Pairing: Seared Scallops with butternut squash purée
Favourite Riesling Pairing: Charcuterie
Favourite HB Wine: Felseck Pinot Noir
Hillary Fleming
Retail and Direct to Consumer Manager
Growing up in a small Eastern Ontario town, Hillary brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to everything she does. After years working in restaurant events, she developed a deep appreciation for hospitality and the way wine brings people together. Eager to grow beyond service and deepen her understanding of wine, she joined Hidden Bench Estate Winery to focus on the intricacies of wine, drawing on her environmental background and strong interest in organic practices, while confidently guiding customers through the nuances in every glass.
Naturally crafty and detail-oriented, Hillary enjoys working with both her hands and her head, always looking for ways to refine her skills and embrace new challenges. Athletic and adventurous, she spends her time outside of work staying active, fishing, sewing, and making the most of time with friends. Whether she’s outdoors by the water or diving into a creative project, she brings the same focus, curiosity, and energy that define her professional life.
Vital Wine Stats:
Aha! Wine: 2022 Maranges 1er Cru ‘Les Clos Roussots’ Bertrand Bachelet
Favourite Pinot Noir Pairing: Roasted duck with cherry glaze
Favourite Chardonnay Pairing: Lobster Fettuccine Alfredo
Favourite Riesling Pairing: Banh Mi Heo Quay
Favourite HB Wine: Roman’s Block Riesling
Brooke Taylor
Cellar Master
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Brooke Taylor brings a grounded, sustainability-driven approach to her work in wine and agriculture. She earned a BA in Environment and Urban Sustainability from Ryerson University, where she developed a strong interest in sustainable agriculture. That passion took her to the Panamanian jungle, where she completed a sustainable agriculture certificate while living off-grid and tending to a community farm — an experience that deepened her commitment to regenerative practices and self-sufficient food systems.
After returning to Toronto, she managed urban farms with The Bowery Project and implemented eco-friendly landscaping initiatives with Spruced-Up, helping bring sustainable growing practices into the urban landscape. With a background in hospitality and roots in one of Canada’s most celebrated wine regions, it felt only natural to return to Niagara to pursue winemaking. She studied Winemaking and Viticulture at Niagara College, focusing her agricultural knowledge on the craft of wine.
Following graduation, she worked multiple harvests across Niagara, Prince Edward County, New Zealand, and Germany, gaining diverse hands-on experience in cool-climate viticulture. She ultimately found her home at Hidden Bench Estate Winery, where her passion for sustainable, organic agriculture aligns seamlessly with the winery’s thoughtful practices in both vineyard and cellar.
Hardworking and deeply committed to making the world a better place, she is driven by a love of wine, agriculture, gardening, and time spent outdoors. Whether nurturing vines, tending a garden, or sharing a bottle with friends and family, she brings dedication, curiosity, and heart to all that she does.
Aha! Wine: 2021 Blanc Des Coteaux, Apostolos Thymiopoulos
Favourite Pinot Noir Pairing: Wood Oven Funghi Pizza
Favourite Chardonnay Pairing: Odd Birds Old Bay Fried Chicken Sandwich
Favourite Riesling Pairing: Buffalo Chicken Wings
Favourite HB Wine: Tête de Cuvée Chardonnay
Bryce Morgan
Vineyard Assistant
Born and raised in Niagara, Bryce has always had a keen interest in wine. He joined the Hidden Bench team for vintage in 2020 while finishing the Winery & Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College. After graduating in 2021, he joined us full time to assist our vineyard team with all viticultural and farming practices on the estate. His passion for sustainability and ongoing curiosity for every aspect of precision winegrowing make every day at Hidden Bench unique and exciting. When not working in the vineyards, Bryce can be found at the curling club, playing soccer, or indulging in local food and drink.
Vital Wine Stats:
Aha! Wine: 2015 Delas Freres Hermitage ‘Domaine des Tourettes’
Favourite Pinot Noir Pairing: Flank steak with mushroom sauce and charred vegetables
Favourite Chardonnay Pairing: Seared Lake Erie Perch
Favourite Riesling Pairing: Grilled pork with nuoc cham over vermicelli
Favourite HB Wine: Locust Lane Pinot Noir
