Cellar Profile
Dan and Lynn Sullivan founded Rosehall Run in 2000. The 150-acre farm was selected due to its proximity to Lake Ontario (1-2 kms on three sides) and the remarkable clay soil scattered with rock and shale fragments on a calcareous limestone base. This was one of the earliest Prince Edward County wineries established in the west central region known as Hillier Ward. Planting of the vineyard began in 2001 with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Today, there are 25 acres of vinifera including Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat and Tempranillo. With over 30 years of Ontario winemaking experience, Dan is recognized as one of the top winemakers in the region. He is critically acclaimed for his consistent, elegant, approachable Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Sparkling wines as well as his innovations with unique varietals.
Region
Nestled on a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Ontario, a short drive from Kingston, the Prince Edward County wine region sits on a bed of porous limestone. This is crucial for creating the mineral, brightly acidic wines the region is known for. The vineyards benefit from breezes off of Lake Ontario, keeping the temperature down on hot summer days and cool at night. "The County" was first settled in the late 18th Century and, after years of farmland agriculture, began growing grapes in earnest by the early 2000s.
Vineyard
Primarily selected from the North Block, planted in 2001 and 2002 with predominantly Dijon clone 115. Smaller volumes of clone 667, 777 and 828 from the West Block.
Winemaking
Hand-selected bunches of grapes from the prime Pinot Noir vines on the Estate are pressed and then undergo a long 3 week fermentation and 3 day cold soak. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 16 months, half of it new.
Tasting Notes
Black cherry on the nose with a touch of smokiness. On the palate, red berry flavours of strawberry, raspberry and black cherry meet notes of smoke. Medium acidity with hints of sweet oak on the finish.
Varieties
Pinot Noir grapes are black-skinned and typically very difficult to cultivate. This grape variety is very well known internationally and is grown throughout the world in most winemaking regions. Its origins trace back to the Burgundy region in France. Canada has had great success with the grape, producing renowned wines in Prince Edward County, among other regions.