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
Bob Nedelko's famed Twenty Mile Bench vineyard is sustainably farmed, respecting the region's biodiversity. It sits on a bed of limestone and clay. Crop cover between the rows of vines ensures there is no erosion of the vital soil and provides nutrients as it dies and decomposes. The wines crafted from here are known for their vibrancy, tension and acidic balance, along with marked minerality.
Winemaking
Harvested from the Silver Fox Block, optimally ripe Pinot grapes are destemmed and gently pressed into stainless steel for fermentation. After malolactic conversion is complete, the wine is transferred into a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels for 17 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes
Much larger and more mouth-filling than its County compatriots, the Nedelko Pinot offers black and red cherry elements and an earthy note on the nose. The palate is rich and medium-bodied. It is quite structured, with fresh acidity, a surprising grip on tannins and trademark Nedelko minerality laced throughout. Serve at cellar temperature with roast duck or tourtière.
Varieties
Pinot Noir grapes are black-skinned and typically very difficult to cultivate. This grape variety is well known internationally and is grown in most winemaking regions throughout the world. Its origins trace back to Burgundy, France. Canada has had great success with Pinot, producing renowned wine in Prince Edward County, among other regions.