2023 Gewurztraminer

E.S JOHNSTON FARM is located within the far North of the Huron Shores Growing Region. The vines are strategically situated within a unique soil type where part of the vineyard is located on the slopes of a decommissioned Gravel Pit. This adds minerality, strengthens the root systems of the Plants and retains heat during cooler days. The soil pH is naturally high. The 320 Gewurztraminer Plants were planted in 2018 on 3309 Root Stock in Block 4. This Block is often referred to as Up on The Hill.” - and as the name suggests - the Plants are on the slope of Hill leading to the central Quarry of the Vineyard. The orientation of the Plants is actually East to West which is done intentionally to flow with the landscape.

After Pressing, Cold Crashing and then when the Fermentation began and Winemaker Derek Barnett first tasted the liquid, he said right away: “Tastes like Gew.” This comforted the Cellar Team and indicated that the Wine was progressing positively. Being the 1st Release of this Varietal, this was a crucial moment! Taking only 8 Days for fermentation and then racked off lees 48hrs after - this ensured the crisp and bright characters would be pronounced.

In January 2024, the wine was placed in the Lean-To adjacent to Hessenland for 43 chilly days and proceeded to use Nature to Cold Stabilize. Once back inside to warm up, a polite schedule of fining and filtering took place.

On April 29th 2024, the bottling for the Micro-Lot was completed. 180 Bottles total ... or it roughly works out to be just over Half a Bottle PER PLANT.

Now ... onto the story of the Goose on the Roof ...