By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Region Editor
TasteCamp North 2011 is just around the corner, so I thought it would make sense to introduce some of the wineries and people we'll be meeting during the U.S. portion of the programming.
Niagara USA might not have the international cast of winemakers that you’d find in a more developed region -- yet -- but it boasts a diverse group of pioneers who are collectively proving every day that quality wines can be made on the escarpment north to Lake Ontario.
Duncan Ross of Arrowhead Spring Vineyards: Duncan Ross’s winemaking obsession inspired him to build a picturesque wine farm on the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment with his wife, Robin, who manages their seven-acre vineyard. This scenic sloping farm hosts the only significant plantings of syrah and malbec in the region.
Duncan is certainly one of the most outspoken personalities in the region when it comes to his belief that Niagara is one of the best places to grow vinifera in the country. He’s been vocal in the debates that are helping to shape the New York wine industry and he’s a frequent commenter on the New York Cork Report. He is also a passionate believer in the red blend, which can be tasted in his winery’s flagship red Meritage.
Duncan also likes his chardonnay fermented in barrels, which coincidentally may be the first wine that 2011 wine attendees sample after the Grand Tasting on Sunday.
In addition to his barrel-fermented estate grown chardonnay and syrah, chances are guests will get to taste his Bordeaux varieties from the barrel. Robin will also discuss vineyard practices and the farm’s ultimate goal of sustainability.
Kurt Guba of Freedom Run Winery: Kurt Guba has one of the most recognizable faces of any member of the Niagara Escarpment wine industry, and that’s not just because he’s in my “Stump the Goob” video series. A stage actor by trade, he’s not shy when discussing the wines he helps craft at Freedom Run.
As a certified sommelier, Kurt’s driving passion is education. When he’s not climbing on barrels or making sure every tasting room guest gets the most out of their experience, he teaches students at Niagara County Community College’s Culinary Program which has a partnership with Freedom Run to serve as a teaching winery.
Kurt will be waxing on his favorite subject as he guides attendees through an extensive tasting of the winery’s three vineyard blocks of pinot noir. In addition to the heartbreak grape, guests will get to taste barrel samples of cabernet franc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Attendees will also be the first to sample Freedom Run’s apassimento-style wines currently in barrel.
Jonathan Oakes of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery: Jonathan Oakes is one of the busiest winemakers in the region.
As a recent graduate of Niagara Teaching College’s Viticulture and Oenology program, he now applies his cool-climate winemaking skills at both Schulze Vineyards and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, a family winery that’s a part of LynOaken Farms, a large apple producer in the region.
Even though Jonathan is a relatively young winemaker, he’s now responsible for the huge volume of wine made between the two wineries. From vinifera to hybrid and native grapes, still to sparkling, and late harvest to icewine, he shows his versatility while he consistently produces quality wine across a wide spectrum of styles.
Jonathan will be pouring some 2010 reds, whites, sparkling wines, and icewines that have yet to be bottled from both wineries. His presentation will highlight the terroir of the areas north of the escarpment as well as on the similarities and differences between Niagara USA and Ontario growing regions.
The (excellent) photos here bring to mind the standard request I get when photographers show up: "I was thinking of getting a shot of you taking a sample of wine from one of those casks/barrels/wooden vats..."
These days I get to tell them that I no longer do cliche shots, consequences be damned.
Posted by: Peter Bell / Fox Run | April 26, 2011 at 02:58 PM
I'm lucky enough to see these gentlemen all the time, but reading this post knowing that Niagara USA will be a first-time experience for so many TasteCampers is pretty exciting. I can't wait to experience our region and its brilliant, pioneering personalities through the eyes of the attendees!
I'm particularly looking forward to reactions to Schulze's and Leonard Oakes's hybrid releases made with Jonathan's able hand; thoughts on Duncan's syrah and malbec and the potential for those grapes in Niagara; and notes on pinot noir offerings at Freedom Run. It will be an amazing way to conclude the weekend! Looking forward to sharing our beautiful region with everyone!
Posted by: Julia Burke | April 26, 2011 at 03:06 PM
@Peter
I had several photo options for this post which ran the gamut from a winemaker looking like he's tripping at a Dead show, to a pic that look like the subject was in disguise to one that looked incredibly too inappropriate to mention.
That being said, they are indeed drawing samples for me at the time I took these pics. These guys are in the trenches and don't have assistants.
Aren't you coming up here in June for the Riesling Experience? If so I will make sure I don't take any pics of you doing anything related to winemaking ;)
Posted by: Bryan | April 26, 2011 at 03:41 PM
Taking a picture of me getting a sample of Riesling from a barrel - now THAT would be worth it.
Posted by: Peter Bell / Fox Run | April 26, 2011 at 04:20 PM
@Peter
Ha! I'd do that for every photographer and writer that came to do a riesling story just to keep them honest.
Posted by: Bryan | April 26, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Thank you for not posting the inappropriate picture!
Posted by: Duncan Ross, Arrowhead Spring Vineyards | April 26, 2011 at 05:31 PM