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
The Twenty Mile Bench stretches east to west from Fifteen Mile Creek to west of Cherry Avenue. Bisected by Twenty Mile Creek, it has a complex topography with a distinctive double bench formation west of Twenty Mile Creek and short, varied slopes that roll to the brow of the escarpment. The sheltered north-facing slopes and air circulation from Lake Ontario provide for year round temperature moderation—ideal growing conditions for quality grapes.
Vineyard
Owner Bob Nedelko makes this special vineyard his home and has taken this Twenty Mile Bench property to greater heights with the replanting of Pinot Noir – The Silver Fox Block – about a decade ago. This is the first vineyard-designated offering from this terroir.
Winemaking
This select lot of Gewürztraminer was given the love and attention to detail needed to accentuate and develop texture by fermenting in 2/3 old French puncheons and 1/3 in stainless steel for 9 months prior to blending and bottling, elevating the classic rose petal and lychee notes without the melodramatic cloying.
Tasting Notes
This dry style Gewürztraminer is reminiscent of the limestone planted houses of Alsace with a cooler climate twist. There is good weight on the palate, but the tropical fruit and acidity find their way to the long, lingering finish. Warm with sweet cooking spices, rich with lychee and dried apricot, balanced with just a hint of citrusy grapefruit to cleanse the palette.
Varieties
Gewürztraminer is a pink-skinned grape producing some of the world's most distinct, aromatic wines. Made famous from the Grand Cru vineyards of Alsace, the grape has recently spread throughout the globe. It builds up relatively high sugar levels, so malolactic fermentation is rare, ensuring the retention of suitable acidity levels. Gewürz can be found across Canada, grown in many wine regions including Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley. In Ontario, it can be found throughout the Niagara Peninsula, and along the north shore of Lake Erie and Prince Edward County. Gewürztraminer prefers cooler climates and is particularly fussy about climate and soil.