Cellar Profile
Region
Nestled on a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Ontario, a short drive from Kingston, the PEC 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. Twenty Mile Bench is a sub-appellation of the larger Niagara Peninsula region, located near the town of Vineland. Limestone and sandy soils, warm summer days and cool evenings and stiff breezes coming off Lake Ontario ensure acid structure is retained, even in warmer vintages. This is cool-climate viticulture, with wonderful versions of Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay garnering international acclaim.
Vineyard
Fruit comes from a blend of Rosehall Run's Prince Edward County vineyards, as well as top producers from the Niagara Bench.
Winemaking
Charmat Method: The wine is put into a stainless steel pressure tank to undergo secondary fermentation before being bottled. Fermenting the wine together in one batch ensures that each bottle is exactly the same.
Tasting Notes
A frothy blend of Vidal with a touch of Pinot Noir contributing flavour and a distinctive bright salmon colour. Pixie is barely off-dry, with peach, apricot and tangerine flavours and lively refreshing acidity throughout the palate.
Varieties
Vidal is a hybrid grape variety developed in the 1930s. It was brought to Canada in the late 1940s and is used primarily to make icewine, as well as white wines and some wonderful sparkling pinks. Known for its floral and fruity aromas and bright acidity, wines made from this grape are typically ready to be enjoyed right away.