Robert's Report
Wineries of 2012
The wineries you must visit. The wineries whose's wines you must try in 2012!
In the last few years Tawse wines under the guidance of winemaker Paul Pender and consulting winemaker Pascal Marchand have established a reputation for producing outstanding wines. We can only expect this trent to continue in 2012 . Tawse was named 2011 "WINERY OF THE YEAR" their 2009 SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING "white wine of the year". This is the second year in a row tawse has won both honours .
L'Acadie Vineyards is the premier producer of Traditional Method Sparkling Nova Scotia wine . Owner winemaker Bruce Ewert challenges himself to produce a better wine every year. Success will follow him into 2012 and beyond.Read More
Nova Scotia's Benjamin Bridge in the Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia has already gained the attention of prominent wine critics in Canada and overseas . Winemaker Jean-Benoit Deslauriers should produce some outstanding wines in 2012 and beyond.
Vignoble de l'Orpailleur located in Dunham, in the Eastern Townships, near the American border. Established in 1845 Dunham was the first township of Lower-Canada and also the first town in Québec to see large vineyards establish themselves and win international prizes for their wines, Climate does not worry l'Orpailleur and winemaker Marc Grau. Look for some memorable Whites. Read More
Look for some outstanding wines coming out of 13th Street Winery . Doug Whitty is President of 13th Street Winery and of Whitty Farms which was established in Niagara in 1908. Chief Winemaker at 13th Street Winery is Frenchman, Jean-Pierre Colas. Jean Pierre's winemaking philosophy is quite simple. He believes that great wines come from the best grapes grown in the best vineyards and winemaking techniques are only utilized to capture the very essence of the grapes provenance and character. This winery will produce great wines in 2012
Located in village of St. David's in Niagara-on-the-Lake Coyote's Run Estate Winery is best know for its two vineyards Red Paw and Back Paw vineyards with unique soils. David Sheppard heads the winemaking team which includes Steven Trussler and Jeff Smith. The winery recently ranked in the Top 20 at the Canadian Wine Awards, and has twice captured the top prize for Pinot Noir . People also talk about the wonderful hospitality of this winery. 2012 will be Coyote's Run year to shine
Exultet Estates , Prince Edward County, has emerged as one of the best small wineries in Ontario, snapping up the Gold for the best chardonnay at the Ontario Wine Awards Their 2009 Pinot Noir is also an award winner. Watch for even better results in 2012 and beyond.
Henry of Pelham located on the Short Hills Bench at the base of the Niagara Escarpment (a United Nations biosphere) in St. Catharines, Ontario. Owned and operated by the Speck family since 1988. Their list of awards is long. The historical cozy atmosphere makes the winery along with its wines a good place to visit in 2012
Sue Ann Staff Winery a beautiful estate located in Jordan, Ontario. The dynamic family history provides for some interesting aspects to the winery making it the perfect place to visit. Add to mix the outstanding winemaking skills of Ms Staff its a must stop on any wine tour. Due to her success Sue ann is often referred to as Ice Queen
Nestled in the foothills of Mill Bay, surrounded by pasture and minutes away from the Pacific Ocean lies Unsworth Vineyards. Daniel Cosman is the winemaker. The winery Manager is Sara Cosman also a outstanding winemaker. This winery may just put Vancouver Island on map. Please see featured wine .
It will be the skills of winemaker Kelly Symonds and the grapes of the Naramata Beach along with their outstanding hospitality that will make Three Mile Estate Winery stand out in 2012. Trio their premier red blend will be released in Spring 2012
Averill Creek Winery is located on the south slope of Mount Prevost with spectacular views of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Winemaker/owner Andy Johnston and his wife Wendy have been producing quality wines for years. Andy's goal is to create exceptional Pinot wines that represent their Cowichan Valley terroir. Their wines have been receiving great reviews, We gave their Pinot Gris 2010 a score of 92
Baillie-Grohman Estate winery located in Creston in British Columbia's Kootenay district. This winery is putting the Kootenay on Canada's wine map. Dan Barker is the winemaker. Their list of Accolades and awards is amazing for the short time they have been open. You must try the wines and visit if you can.
Church and State winery with two locations has rising to the top under the guidance of Kim Pullen. The original location is just north of Victoria and the new location Coyote Bowl is in the Okanagan. Two great locations but a amazing cellar of fine wines. We had an amazing tasting experience when we visited the Okanagan last summer. Their 2007 Quintessential was simply amazing scoring a 96
Lulu Island Winery located on Lulu Island south of Vancouver BC. The island is better known as Richmond.
This winery was first known for its fruit wines and then its ICEWINES. Today under the guidance of owners John Chang and Allison Lu the winery is know for it complete cellar of fine wines and amazing hospitality.
Watch for a growth in its grape wines in 2012. To read more
Bill Eggert’s Fairview Cellars has been producing great wines without all the fan fare. Bears Mertiage 2008 is one of the best reds you find in the Okanagan's Golden Mile. Its not a fancy winery but Bill is a most entering gentleman with a gift for producing wines. Read more
Hester Creek is just the opposite of Fairview Cellars in 2011 they added a five start restaurant and guesthouse. Best of all they continued to make award winning wines. Hester Creek The Judge 2007 ranks among the best rd in BC . This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with about two years of barrel age and more than a year of bottle aging before release. Read more
Located on a 55-acre parcel of land amongst the rolling hills of south Langley, British Columbia, Domaine de Chaberton and the Bacchus Bistro are a short 45 minute drive from Vancouver and a 10 minute drive from the Canada/United States border. You need reservations to enjoy their Bistro it popular s are the wines. The winemaker is Dr. Elias Phiniotis. The winery won numerous Gold medals in 2011 and I willing to predict an even greater year in 2012. Bacchus their signature wine from their Fraser Valley vineyard is a Must try wine.
Read more
Judy Kingston left her Toronto homeand career. restablishing herself as a winery owner and winemaker in Naramata, British Columbia. The adventure began in 2010. In 2011 she oepned the tasting room of Serendipity Winery. I arrived at the winery a day or so after she opened. Karen gave me a personal tasting. The wines were impressive. If you are that good your first year watch out 2012 Serendipity is here!
Established in 1995, Stag's Hollow Winery remains. one of the hidden wineries and undiscovered gems in the South Okanagan Valley. From the beginning, hands on owners, Larry Gerelus & Linda Pruegger, believe their passion and involvement in every aspect of the vineyard and winemaking process would created unique style wines. I first visited them in 2006 and was impressed then. Today they have three outstanding wines that will take them from Hidden to an exciting must Taste , must buy, have to visit winery.
Stag's Hollow GVM 2010 . This is a novel white blend of Grenache (66%), Viognier (23%) and Marsanne (11%). Grenache is a red variety but in 2010 (and again in 2011), winemaker Dwight Sick judged the grapes not ripe enough for one of his big red blends. So he pressed it as a white grape, producing a complex, barrel-fermented wine with flavours of apples and melons. The rich texture will blossom with a few years of bottle age. 90. review by John Scheiner
Stag's Hollow Cabernet Franc 2009. This is the winery's first varietal Cabernet Franc. Youthfully firm, the wine begins with brambleberry aromas and tastes of blackberries, tobacco and chocolate. 91. review by John Scheiner
Stag's Hollow Hart 2010. This is a port-style wine made with very ripe Merlot and fortified to 20%. It has a delicious core of sweet fruit. The wine should be cellared for a few years. 88. review by John Scheiner. I gave them a 90 give it sometime and WOW!
See the Best Wines of 2011
January 2012
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