Featherstone Estate Winery – Louise Engel and David Johnson co-own and manage this Twenty Mile Bench, 23-acre, eco-friendly winery. This hard-working couple manage a Harris hawk—Louise’s pet project—used as a deterrent to grape-feasting birds, primarily flocks of starlings, who can eat up a week’s profits in one fell swoop; a small flock of sheep to remove tender young leaves from the fruiting zone allowing the grapes to receive more sunlight; and pretty much everything else that leads to their much sought-after wines. They also produce a ‘verjus’—a grape product used as a vinaigrette that allows salad to be paired with wine - fabulous. The main focus is wine and there are 7 wines above that are available at the winery now, soon to be available at the LCBO, and one immediately following that’s designated as available as winery only. Order a mixed case for Monday - Friday home or office delivery from Featherstone.


Featherstone ‘Onyx’ 2010
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $29.95 13.0% alcohol
This elegant 67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc blend showcases the terrific vintage, hand- and barrel-chosen, impeccable fruit and brilliant winemaking decisions—Bravo. Exotic incense, pipe tobacco, cassis and black plum aromas introduce a balanced and brimming-with-fruit wash of tangy red cherry, sweet, ripe briary berry and juicy black currant that’s structured, complex and simply delicious. The finish lingers, smooth, mellow and delectable. It’s fabulous now continuing to evolve over the next five years—a fabulous wine that will not disappoint. (Vic Harradine)

Rosewood Estates Winery – is a family-owned and family-operated boutique winery and meadery garnering medals and high recognition for both their hand-crafted grape and their honey wines in the five short years they’ve been in existence. Their honey wines, aka mead, are produced from honey from their own apiary. With a focus on ‘Bench’ wines—Beamsville Bench and Twenty Mile Bench—they’ve now 40 acres of grapes under vine and more than 250 hives for their award-winning, barrel-aged Mead wine. The following wines, and the two above, were tasted recently with family member Krystina Roman. It’s easy to order a mixed case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Rosewood Estates.

White Wine

Rosewood Estates Riesling 2011
VQA Beamsville Bench $16.20 12.0% alcohol
This hand-picked, single-vineyard, dry Riesling jumps from the glass with heady aromas of key lime and orchard fruit burnished with slate/mineral tones. A huge gusher of Meyer lemon and tangy lime interweave with nectarine and yellow plum on the palate, infusing the lengthy, balanced, lip-smacking aftertaste. Medium bodied with good texture, it dishes up what one hopes for in well made, delectable, cool-climate Riesling—bravo to winemaker, Luke Orwinski. (Vic Harradine)


Rosewood Estates ‘Mima’s Block’ Riesling 2011
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, $18.20 12.0% alcohol
Pale yellow-green, this first offering from Mima’s Block displays intriguing complexity of aromas—mineral, a whiff of sweet citrus, beeswax (you might have guessed!), floral notes and white peach. Just off dry, light-medium bodied, there’s elegant balance of delicious, ripe fruit and lively backbone of acidity. Notes of mineral, citrus, ginger and lemon marmalade mingle on the extended finish. Enjoy it now with corn and blueberry salad. (Susan Desjardins)


Rosewood Estates ‘Natalie’s Süssreserve’ Riesling 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.20 11.0% alcohol
Süssreserve - a small portion of unfermented juice is kept aside then added in slowly just before bottling, increasing sweetness, texture and natural acidity. Grapey, lime, and orchard fruit aromas herald an expressive, concentrated wash of ripe, apricot, honeyed pear and candied lychee melding with racy citrus flavours on the palate. It’s mid weight and fully textured with a long, sweet and tang finish that’s on the hunt for Pad Thai or tandoori chicken. Good value and worth a punt. (Vic Harradine)


Rosewood Estates ‘Long Rows’ White 2011
VQA Niagara Escarpment $13.20 12.0% alcohol
A blend of Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay, this is a vibrantly aromatic wine offering a bouquet of honeysuckle, fresh grape, peach, mineral and a whiff of spice. Dry and medium bodied, it has guts and gusto galore. Fresh acidity balances nicely with ripe tangy orchard and citrus fruit. It’s mouth-wateringly crisp, fresh and lasting through the finish. Enjoy it on its own or with a grilled chicken salad. (Susan Desjardins)

Red Wine

Rosewood Estates Pinot Noir 2010
VQA Niagara Escarpment $20.20 13.0% alcohol
Ripened, pristine fruit, the great 2010 vintage and a judicious French oak regimen coalesce in this complex, fully flavoured gem. Aromas of beetroot, Asian spice and earthy notes herald an intense, spice-driven river of black plum and currants that’s balanced and brimming with charm. This is mid weight with very good structure and wisps of tannin interlaced with black currant on the dry finish. (Vic Harradine)


Rosewood Estates ‘Lock, Stock and Barrel’ 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.20 13.3% alcohol
This cellar-dweller, Bordeaux blend—both Cabs, Merlot and Petit Verdot—sports aromas of toast, tobacco, black plum and kitchen spice mingling with dark berry fruit. It’s a bit taut and tight at the moment with cassis and black berry firmly wreathed in a solid tannin presence. Well balanced and structured, the drying aftertaste lingers with red cherry and racy red currant. Aerate/decant three hours before pouring or wait until 2017-2020 to pop corks. (Vic Harradine)


Rosewood ‘Long Rows’ Red 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.20 13.0% alcohol
This unique, semi-transparent garnet blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc entices with subtle aromas of sweet red berry fruit, beetroot, soft spice and vanilla. Dry, medium bodied, it’s lively, juicy and flavourful, pairing tangy acidity with ripe red fruit—cherry, currant and raspberry—underpinned by fine tannins. Well structured and nicely balanced, it finishes dry, fruity and warm. (Susan Desjardins)