Stratus Vineyards
The minds behind Stratus think a little differently. It shows in their sense of style. It shows in their demanding techniques. And it shows in the wines.
Wine Spectator
Stratus Vineyards, established in 2000, is a sustainable, innovative winery located in the heart of Niagara wine country in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stratus is dedicated to growing and producing limited quantities of premium wine in the VQA Niagara Lakeshore appellation.
The Stratus vineyard is a sixty-two acre estate moderated by the effects of two bodies of water: the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Niagara-on-the Lake is a special habitat called the Carolinian Zone, an area known for rare species of plants and animals. The vineyards of Stratus benefit from a unique micro-climate that ranks among the warmest in Niagara. These temperatures are comparable to those of northern Rhone and are warmer than those in Bordeaux. Fruit from the vineyard is subject to an uncompromising selection process at harvest. By employing the watchful eyes and hands of sixteen people covering two modern grape-sorting tables, unsuitable fruit is discarded. This results in only the ripest, most flavourful grapes proceeding to the winemaking stage. This meticulous attention to fruit selection is the most intensive in Canada.
Winemaking at Stratus is led by J-L Groux. A native of the Loire Valley in France, J-L has been honoured as “Ontario Winemaker of the Year” and is renowned for his passion for creating distinctive wines based on the principle of assemblage.
Assemblage is the art of combining several different grape varieties to produce a wine that is the most complex expression of a vineyard’s terroir. The synergy created with assemblage winemaking reflects the age-old theory that the sum is greater than the parts. Our two signature assemblage wines are Stratus White and Stratus Red. Critically acclaimed, these wines have quickly become benchmarks of quality within the Canadian wine industry.
With a focus on Vitis vinifera , the vineyard is planted in forty-four separate blocks containing eighteen different grape varieties. All of the varieties of Bordeaux as well as Syrah, Gamay, Chardonnay, Gew?rztraminer, Riesling, Marsanne, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Tannat, Mourv?dre, and Viognier, allow for wines of diversity and complexity. Substantial portions of the vineyard are over a quarter of a century old.
The soils of the Stratus vineyard are highly prized compositions of clay loam with permeable gravelly limestone. The canopy and fruit of the vines receive enhanced exposure to the sun through the use of a modified ‘Scott Henry’ vine-training system. Viticultural practices adhere to the principles of rigorously low yields, elimination of herbicides, and a harvest mandate that relies entirely on gentle hand picking.
The winery, designed by architect Les Andrew with engineering design by Alan Greer, is a marvel of efficiency, sustainability and flexibility. It is a building designed to produce limited quantities of wine based on a true gravity flow system, thereby eliminating any pumping of wine.
Stratus is committed to responsible stewardship of the land. As a result, the winery is the first building in Canada to achieve LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Stratus was the first winery worldwide to fully achieve this designation. Environmental sustainability is a core value of all involved in the design and operation of Stratus. As a proud new member of the Canadian wine industry, Stratus is committed to building on the existing foundations of quality-oriented pioneers and wineries in efforts to anchor Niagara as one of the world’s great wine regions.
| Address | 2059 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada |
|---|---|
| Wine Maker | J-L Groux |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Region | Niagara Peninsula |
From this Producer
The newest label in the Charles Baker riesling line is a more generalized Niagara Peninsula gathering but truth be told the line is drawn in extension from his Vinemount Ridge wines and the threading is pretty tight. More rounding, more juiciness and a crunchy crispness reminds us of what we've known, or introduces us to riesling as a gateway into the magical world it is known to occupy.
Charles Baker captures the essence of one of Canada's oldest Riesling plantings - the Picone Vineyard. Regularly one of the final selections for white wine of the year in Canada, we are proud to make it available here in Japan!
"Canada's 100 Best Magazine" - No.2 Riesling
2020 Ontario Wine Awards ''White Wine of the Year"
Charles Baker captures the beauty of one of Ontario's oldest Riesling plantings - the Picone Vineyard. This wnie regularly shows up in the final selections of the best white wines of Canada so we're proud to make some available here in Japan!
Weighted and intriguing nose of lemon and fresh lime, yellow apple and Anjou pear, spring spruce tips, and dusty limestone. Vivid, but still just a snapshot of a complex young Riesling on its way somewhere else! Delicious, especially with food right now, but without doubt a Riesling that will reward some cellaring. This wine feels like it could easily last into its third decade!
Named White Wine of the Year at the 2020 Ontario Wine Awards.
Cabernet Franc is one of Canada's signature red grapes and Stratus's version is amongst the best.
Jammy notes of black fruit and cassis, clove, menthol, tobacco, black licorice and hints of leather and baking spice carry through the nose and onto the palate. Aging in old French oak for almost 22 months elevates the flavours and complexity while also adding a sophistication and roundness to the mouthfeel. Tannins are present, but not overwhelming. Dry and full-bodied, the wine is well-structured with an undulating finish.
An Iconic Niagara white wine that brings richness, complexity and structure. This is a 'wow' wine.
The rarest of the rare wines - a red assamblage icewine. Certainly a sweet wine however the residual sugar is on the low end for an Icewine and well balanced by the fresh acidity and above average alcohol. This is fruit first followed by sweetness. Lots of cherry, raspberry jam, candy apple, and a touch of cinnamon spice on the finish.
An Iconic Niagara Red wine that straddles the world between Boreaux and Napa.
This superbly crafted wine boasts a rich nose of raspberry, bing cherry compote and fresh pomegranate. On the palate, prominent flavors of black plum, wood ash and rhubarb are rounded out by the complex flavors of Herbs de Provence that carry the long finish. The mouthwatering quality of the wine provides for a wide range of food pairings.
Deep nose of tarry black raspberry, smoked meat, with hints of cream, Lapsang Souchong tea and menthol in the background.
Classic meaty Syrah with sweet chewy black fruit, pastrami, tar and cured black olives. Nice weight and depth, especially for the vintage. Lovely rich midpalate segués into a very good finish that will expand even further given time.
The zestful flavours of fresh lime and green almond are well-balanced with rich coconut cream for a beautiful finish on the palate. Full-flavoured and delicious now. More complexity and gravitas in coming years.
An Iconic Niagara Red wine that straddles the world between Boreaux and Napa.
A very intense cabernet sauvignon. A remarkably concentrated and youthful wine that is still a bit tightly wound on the palate. Looking forward to the complex development that will come from bottle age. Quite tannic, dark and concentrated
Magnum bottle of an Iconic Niagara Red wine that straddles the world between Boreaux and Napa.
Select barrels of Cabernet Franc were left unfiltered and on their lees for this one-of-a-kind bottle.