Jacob Beam, son of Bartram, a Loyalist of Pennsylvania and Dutch extraction, came to Upper Canada in 1788 and two years later, founded the village of Beamsville. The frst vineyard was planted in 1981 and was the site for Riesling grapes. This type of grape is one of the oldest vines to grow in the Niagara Peninsula. In 1970, the Town of Beamsville was amalgamated with Clinton Township and (half of) Louth Township to form the larger Town of Lincoln.