Peninsula Ridge
The head of winemaking operations is Jean-Pierre Colas who joined Peninsula Ridge Estates in June 2000 after a distinguished career as head winemaker for the noted Chablis house Domaine Laroche winery in Chablis, France.
Prior to Domaine Laroche, Jean-Pierre studied and worked under a number of exceptional winemakers including Michel Givors of Morgon in Beaujolais and Gilbert Picq in Chablis.
The pinnacle of his career thus far has been the selection of his Domaine Laroche Grand Cru Les Clos 1996 as the “White Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine, 1998.
Constantly intrigued by the methods and technologies used by other wineries, Jean-Pierre worked in Chile and Argentina in pursuit of his professional development in winemaking. His most recent trip in spring 2002 was to New Zealand to work the harvest at Delegats Winery (Oyster Bay wines).
It was this same belief to experience new wine regions that also brought him to Peninsula Ridge. Intrigued with the challenge of starting a brand new world-class winery in Niagara, Jean-Pierre’s vision is to combine traditional old-world methods with new-world technology to craft elegant wines that reflect Niagara’s unique terroir.
As a passionate advocate for Peninsula Ridge and the Niagara region, Jean-Pierre is a director of the Canadian Wine Library at the Cool Climate and Viticulture Institute at Brock University in St. Catharines established to evaluate the ageing ability of Ontario wines.
Terroir
Our 80-acre Peninsula Ridge property encompasses a large triangle of pristine vineyards on the famous Niagara Escarpment designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. The Niagara Escarpment, which was once the shore of an ancient lake, runs east and west through the Niagara region and is located between two large bodies of water –Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Our vineyards make up the western edge of the Beamsville Bench, a plateau of land considered by many to be one of the premier grape growing regions in Canada. The Beamsville Bench is part of the larger Niagara Bench, a narrow strip of land that runs parallel to the Escarpment from the towns of Grimsby to St.David’s.
The Beamsville Bench plays host to a multitude of unique mineral-rich soils and mesoclimates that influence the character of our premium wines. The 175 to 185-meter high Escarpment acts as a buffer to the warm on-shore winds from Lake Ontario creating a thermal heat pump-like effect reducing the risk of frost damage in spring. The downward gentle slopes from the Escarpment to our property border along the Wine Route (Regional Road 81) allows for good water drainage and air circulation. As well, the region enjoys a long warm fall resulting in fully ripe fruit at harvest.
Our Vineyards
Our 40-acres of estate vineyards include 25 acres of vinifera grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay) planted summer 1999 with another 15 acres (Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah) planted summer 2001. We also control and manage a neighbouring 20-acre vineyard (Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) also planted summer 2001.
To ensure a sufficient supply of premium quality grapes we have also entered into long-term agreements with some of the finest growers in Niagara. This enables us to maintain a favourable harvest to production ratio whereby we take only the very best fruit and sell the residual. Together we are committed to the long-term success and recognition of Niagara as a premium wine-producing region.
The vines have been imported directly from France and carry with them the clonal certification from the National Establishment for the Improvement of Viticulture, known in France as ENTAV. Our vineyards employ a trellising system known as the Vertical Shoot Position (VSP), which enables the complete exposure of sunlight to our vines throughout the 100-day growing season.
726804 - 2006 Viognier VQA
Big floral notes on the nose hint at orange blossom with white peach and melon following. The palate begins with ripe peach at first followed by the flavour of melon. The smooth texture coats the palate like a soft rose petal. The long finish persists with the fruit flavours. Drink young.
594200 - 2006 Chardonnay INOX VQA
Complex aromas of pear and white flowers accented by notes of spice opening up to soft marmalade. Fresh flavours of ripe pear with just a hint of oatmeal supported by soft acidity and a full, mouth filling texture.
592303 - 2005 Sauvignon Blanc VQA
This Sauvignon Blanc is showing fresh aromas of lemon-lime, green apple, white flower and mineral. Quite fruit driven and ready to drink! The palate repeats with citrus and floral, supported by fresh but very approachable acid structure. Beautifully integrated, the long finish continues to reveal further complexity featuring tangerine, lees and distinct minerality.
594226 - 2006 Chardonnay INOX Reserve VQA
Intense and elegant aromas of ripe apple and mineral carry through to the palate – supported by ripe lemon acidity. Full and concentrated with a long finish.
718486 - 2004 Cabernet Franc VQA
Showing wonderful aromas of red berries and dried fruits, with herbs and a touch of black olive. Ready to drink, the palate is balanced and developed with a good repeat of the nose, featuring dried red berries integrated with French oak.
718489 - 2004 Merlot VQA
Enjoy inviting aromas of plum, fresh flowers and cherry. The palate is integrated, full, round and smooth with soft tannins giving way to cherry and a hint of mocha on the finish. Drink now or cellar for the next few years.
718488 - 2003 Chardonnay Private Reserve VQA
This Chardonnay Reserve features rich aromas of smoke, ripe pear, vanilla and a hint of citrus. Mouth filling flavours of toasted oak, hazelnut, caramel and ripe white tree fruits are all supported by fresh lemon acidity lasting through a long full finish.
718487 - 2002 Arcanum VQA
A first nose of white pepper and spice reveals aromas of berries with black cherries, violet and a hint of smoke. Ripe red and black fruit flavours are supported by quality tannins and integrated French oak. Going beyond the boundaries of the Meritage blend, the addition of Syrah contributes elegance and added complexity to this wine.
720215 - 2004 Ratafia VQA
A first nose of mineral, fresh honey and candied tangerine peel. Soft and balanced, featuring 18% alcohol already integrated with flavours of caramel, citrus and a touch of vanilla. Balanced acid structure ties all the components together through a long, warm finish. Dangerously smooth and deceptively powerful.
