Tasting Note I have spent a lot of time with this lovely, lively pinot noir, a wine that combines both energy and elegance. It is pinot pure! It won one of two spots among 50 wines entered in the CCC Best of Show competition, then went on the next day to take Wine of the Year against six other wines that had won in their regional competitions. The colour is a bit deeper than the County usually expresses. The nose ripe and generous with classic red cherry, a touch of fresh cedar, fine wood, cinnamon and faint wood smoke. Very complex. Quite fresh and juicy yet grippy, with fine firm tannin and excellent length. Certainly enjoyable now but it could relax for a couple of years. Tasted often November 2025 to February 2026.

Backgounder Closson Chase is a Prince Edward County original, planted in 1998 by Deborah Paskus, with its first vintage in 2004. It is owned by film producer Seaton McLean and actress Sonja Smits, and they have created one of the most colourful, welcoming and tasteful properties in the County. The big purple barn has been the landmark since 2002. Assistant winemaker Keith Tyers took over in 2015 and has continued to keep the bar high. The 15-acre Churchside Vineyard was established in 2006 on classic clay-limestone soils atop limestone bedrock. The landmark church was moved from nearby Hillier, its roof re-designed to echo the Hospice de Beaune in Burgundy. As with many pinot noir PEC properties, the yields are very low, averaging two tons per acre. This vintage of Churchside Pinot Noir was de-stemmed but not crushed, then cold soaked for three to five days. Fermentation took place entirely in large tonneau, with 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel. It was aged in French barrels, 20% new, for 18 months.

Accolades: Wine of the Year at the Canadian Culinary Championship 2026.