Vineyard Notes
The 2021 Niagara harvest got underway on August 26th, one day prior to the previous year. September began with seasonal conditions, fortunately with
less humidity. Following the harvest of red hybrids, used for blending, and sparkling wine fruit, the early ripening viniferas such as Chardonnay, Pinot
Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc showed great potential. Late September brought with it a pattern of rain, drizzle, and fog that delayed fruit maturity and
delayed harvest somewhat. Vineyard work continued when weather allowed, but conditions were challenging. Growers were forced to drop a large quantity of fruit, but with persistence and effective viticulture methods, the quality of grapes remained high. Harvest concluded December 3rd, making it the longest running and largest harvest in memory.
Production Notes
Harvested from our Montague Vineyard in the sub-appellation of Four Mile Creek, the grapes were gently crushed and pressed. Allowed to cold settle overnight the juice was transferred to new and older French Oak barrels where it fermented at 18C for 11 days until dryness. The wine then went through a partial malolactic fermentation and was allowed to age for 12 months before racking to a stainless steel tank aged on primary lees until bottle.
