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 between Lake Ontario in the North, Lake Erie to the South and the Niagara River to the East, the Niagara Peninsula is one of Canada's top wine producing regions. The moderating effects of the bodies of water create a moderate temperature during the growing season, similar to France's Bordeaux and Burgundy regions. With almost 15,000 acres under vine, Niagara produces a number of grape varieties, most famously, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Cabernet Franc.
Vineyard
Selected vineyards from the Niagara Region, known for superior quality Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Winemaking
Gamay, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt were all vinified separately, in stainless steel, with short 72-hour skin contact to gather colour. The wine is then blended and aged in stainless steel until bottling.
Tasting Notes
Showing characters of citrus fruit and watermelon on the nose, the palate is lively with tangerine and pink grapefruit.
Varieties
Gamay Noir is a grape variety that is most famous for producing the light, fruit-driven red wines of Beaujolais. While it offers fresh, red-fruit and candied aromas, the wines can also be deep and complex. The first vintage of Gamay Noir in Canada goes back to 1978; the grape has taken firm root throughout the country ever since.