By Rick VanSickle
Prince Edward County and the entire Ontario wine industry is mourning the sudden death of Lacey Estates owner and winemaker Kimball Lacey.
“We are heartbroken and in shock to inform everyone that Kimball Lacey passed away suddenly last night with his family at his bedside at Belleville General Hospital,” a note on the Lacey Estates Facebook page said today.
“Details of the memorial celebration will follow in the next few days. Please raise a glass for Kimball today. We are devasted and trying to come to terms with this. Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes and for their support.”
Lacey Estates Winery will be closed through Friday and will reopen on Saturday.
Kimball Lacey’s journey began at Carmela Estates in 2003 as assistant winemaker while also taking the Grape and Wine certificate program at the University of Guelph. In 2007 he joined Closson Chase where he was the associate winemaker with Deborah Paskus.
In April 2017, he left Closson Chase to concentrate on Lacey Estates. His focus was on creating hand-crafted, small batch premium wines and paving the way to a bright future for his three children, his bio on the Lacey website said.
“Kimball was an integral part of our production team from 2007 to 2017, initially serving as cellar hand and later as associate winemaker under his mentor Deborah Paskus,” Closson Chase wrote on its Facebook page today. “His dedication to his craft and entrepreneurial spirit were evident throughout his tenure with us. During his time at Closson Chase, Kimball not only excelled in winemaking but also had the joy of working alongside his daughters, Emily, (who is now working in the winery at Southbrook in Niagara), and Charlotte.”
Closson Chase said that in 2010, Lacey co-founded Lacey Estates with his partner Liz, establishing a cherished family-owned winery on Closson Road. He made the decision to leave Closson Chase several years later to devote more time and energy to the flourishing family business.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Lacey family during this difficult time. Kimball will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all whose lives he touched — as a respected colleague, caring neighbor, and dear friend.”
Keint-he Winery and Vineyards, another County winery, said: “Our thoughts are with Liz and family. Kimball was a kind and gentle man. He was passionate about the PEC wine industry and will be missed by all who knew him.”
On a personal note, I have tasted with Kimball Lacey on occasion, and we have always communicated back and forth on the Ontario wine industry. He was a gem of a man, always eager to share his wines and raise the flag for Prince Edward County wines. He always greeted you with a great big smile and was thrilled to show off his wines to anyone who walked through the doors and cared deeply for not only his own wines, but that of his neighbours and the greater Ontario wine family.
His presence in the County and the Ontario wine industry will be dearly missed. To the Lacey family, Wines in Niagara sends its most sincere condolences.
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