When a winery sends me wines for review, it’s not often that I enjoy all of the wines they send me, but Monte Creek Winery is three-for-three.
Monte Creek began planting their vineyards in 2009 and the winery itself opened to the public in June 2015. The winery features a greenhouse which provides a local source for new vines, a gravity fed production facility, tasting room, and the Terrace Restaurant, which is open during the spring and summer months.
This year Monte Creek Winery has unveiled a new look that better reflects their commitment to quality, innovation and sustainable practices. Sustainability is a core value at Monte Creek. They practice regenerative agriculture which includes a compost program and cover crops that use Indigenous species. The vineyards are farmed organically and the winery expects to be certified organic in 2023.
Monte Creek’s newly rebranded wines are now divided into three series: Ancient Waters, Living Land and Pioneer. Ancient Waters makes reference to the geological events that formed the land and soils. The Living Land series celebrates the idea that great wines come from healthy vines and soils that are thriving. The Pioneer series is, of course, a nod to the area’s rich history.
2020 Ancient Waters Rosé $24.99
This Rosé is made from 100% Cabernet Franc using the Saignée method. The wine was fermented for four months in a sandstone Jarre to preserve aromatics and expose the wine to small amounts of oxygen.
Aromas of blossom, orange, pink grapefruit, watermelon, strawberry and cherry. This is a dry, medium bodied Rosé with medium+ acidity. The palate offers flavours of blood orange, watermelon, cherry, and tart raspberry with a mouthwatering, medium finish.
2020 Living Land Chardonnay $21.99
This Chardonnay underwent wild fermentation for approximately 60 days and was aged sur lie. The wine was aged in concrete eggs (25%) and French oak barrels (75%) with some bâtonnage.
Aromas of crushed gravel, peach pits, green apple, baking spice, pink grapefruit rind and hints of buttered graham crackers. This Chardonnay is dry, medium bodied and has medium acidity. The palate offers notes of lemon, grapefruit, salinity, and apple danish with a medium+ finish.
2020 Living Land Sparkling $23.99
This sparkling wine was made from estate grown La Crescent and Frontenac Blanc grapes. The base wine was aged for several months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks. The second fermentation was achieved using the Charmat method.
Shy aromas of crushed gravel, fresh baked bread, green apples and yellow grapefruit rind. This sparkling wine has a pleasant, foamy mousse and it is off-dry with high acidity. The palate is floral with notes of peach, honey, bread, green apple, green melon and a salty, medium finish.
References
Schreiner, J. (February 25, 2021). Monte Creek Ranch Invests $10 Million. Retrieved from: https://johnschreiner.blogspot.com/2021/02/monte-creek-ranch-invests-10-million.html
Schreiner, J. (September 20, 2020). Monte Creek is on a Roll. Retrieved from: http://johnschreiner.blogspot.com/2020/09/monte-creek-is-on-roll.html