Tasting Note This is one of four bottlings from a new sparkling-only specialist based on York Road in St. David’s, Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is Brut non-vintage, but only because the final blend used chardonnay from the 2016 vintage, and pinot noir from 2017. It is essentially a mature wine presenting a very complex and rich flavours on such a tender, light frame. The nose weaves almond/cashew, honey, dried apple, dried onion, lemon and vanillin. It has excellent flavour presence with a slim feel, high acid, brine and minerality, that very much evokes Champagne. The length is outstanding. Ethereal stuff. Tasted twice November 2024, then again November 2025.
Backgrounder York Vineyard opened late in 2024, billed as “Canada’s first dedicated traditional method sparkling wine house.” It is the creation of Marty and Rachael Werner, who both grew up in Niagara farming families. They also own a new still wine project called MW Cellars. They began blending and bottling sparkling wine in 2013, in preparation for what would become York. They were mentored by Niagara-based consulting winemaker Peter Gamble, who had helped develop sparkling projects in Nova Scotia. He and Werner have made 135 different cuvees since then. In 2018, the Werners purchased an historic 200-year-old stone farmhouse and orchard below the escarpment on York Road and planted 6.5 acres to sparkling wine grapes. The tasting room opened in December of 2024. There are four other wines: Brut, $65; Brut Rosé, $85; Brut Nature, $95; and Blanc de Blancs, $160 (sold out). This Brut Reserve is a blend of 66% chardonnay harvested in 2016 and 34% pinot Noir from 2017. It was aged 24 months in French oak (20% new) and 72 months on lees (in bottle), then bottled with a delicate dosage of 2 g/L sugar.
Accolades:
Gold Medal National Wine Awards of Canada 2025
Decanter Commendation as Best Sparkling Wine of the Americas
