PELLER bringing wines to Canada
You don’t need to go to Europe or California to tour wineries and taste world-class wines. Its all right here at The Niagara Peninsula which accounts for 80 percent of Canada’s grape-growing volume. Tripti Chakravorty recently was at the Peller Estates Winery in the Naigara region to handpick some of the best grapes for Canada’s famous icewines. Here is what was told to her by one of their wine consultants

Brief History
Andrew Peller, a 58-year old Hungarian immigrant to the Province of British Columbia, planted the roots of a dream which became a reality in 40 years time and was handed down to his son (Joe) and later on to his grandson (John) and who together realised Andrew’s dream. It was opening up of a modest winery. Andrew idea was to introduce wine to Canada back in the 60’s and 70’s when table wine consumption was minimal. He believed that as the Canadian Community matured culturally, wine drinking would become a lifestyle like it did in Europe. People would take to appreciating drinking wine along with food on a regular basis and not just drinking wine alone or only on occasions or as a separate product. It was this vision which became a reality down the line and motivated him to start a winery.
The company came into existence with the belief that premium winemaking could thrive in Canada and Andrew’s first efforts went into planting of vineyards in Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. He found much success in this. He closely learnt the tastes of Canadians and embarked on making products to suite their tastes and thereby create a wine industry for them. What kept them going was the will to take on risks for a longer term and plough back revenues received in the next growing stage of the venture and the future of Canadian wines.


Peller Dream as it is today…
As the dream we see today Peller Estate Wines has seen a lot of success in introducing and increasing the wine movement in Canada. From childhood period, success has now enabled the Peller Estates to move to the adolescent stage, which brings its own challenges, problems and increased competition. Their aim is to set goals to higher levels and spire to produce wines that rank among the best in the world. The range of wines are from signature products to Chardonnays to Rieslings as well as premium to ultra-premium red wines. It was believed that such variety could not be grown in Canada, but instead the production and quality of such wines has proved to be remarkable. In addition to the existing vineyards, there is a network of ultra-premium vineyard sites. What makes the fruit produce one of the best in the world is the use of the right root stock, clone variety, vineyard pruning practices and managing trellises. The winemaking team comprises of Lawrence and John Peller who together have made a great start in the traditional approach to winemaking. The achievement of the Canadian wine industry now is very much beyond what Andrew Peller would have expected, because so much has been learned about how to grow better grape varieties in the region even in the last ten years.



Types of wines
There are predominantly 8 categories of wines that are manufactured at Peller Estates Wines:
Andrew Peller Signature Series
A line of principally premium red varietals, unfiltered, with a focus on small lots and very limited quantities. These wines honour the founder Andrew Peller.
• Cabernet Sauvignon • Cabernet Franc • Merlot
• Chardonnay ‘Sur Lie’ • Riesling Icewine
• Vidal Icewine
Private Reserve Series
A line of mainly barrel-aged whites and reds that are truly reserve wines. Showcasing all of the varietals that are grown in the Niagara region, these wines are ‘best-in-class’ and produced in low volumes.
• Cabernet Sauvignon • Cabernet Franc • Merlot
• Chardonnay • Sauvignon Blanc ‘Barrel Aged’
•Gamay Noir ‘Barrel Aged’ • Riesling Dry
• Pinot Noir ‘Barrel Aged’• Pinot Gris
Vineyard Series
A line of varietal wines that respect the true varietal character of the grape and of Niagara’s terroir. • Riesling ‘Semi Dry’
• Dry Riesling • Muscat • Chardonnay • Chardonnay Non-Oaked • Gewürztraminer • Gamay Noir
• Pinot Gris • Vidal • Cabernet
Limited Edition Founder’s Series
These are varietal wines that have each earned the VQA designation, with production usually less than 1,000 cases. They are bold wines in flavour and complexity.
• Chardonnay ‘Sur Lie’ • Muscat Ottonel
• Late/Harvest Vidal • Icewine • Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc • Merlot • Pinot Blanc • Cristalle
Founder’s Series
Varietal wines that include both classic vitis vinifera and French hybrid grape varieties grown exclusively in the Niagara Peninsula.
• Chardonnay • Dry Riesling • Vidal • Gamay Noir
• Late Harvest • Gewürztraminer
Heritage Wines that celebrate the opening of the Peller Estates Winery and the vision that Andrew Peller had many years before to produce wines in the Niagara region. These wines have all received VQA designation.
White • Riesling • Chardonnay • Pinot Gris
• Pinot Blanc Red • Merlot • Red • Baco Noir
• Cabernet
Oakridge
These wines are special cuvees made with grapes sourced from some of the world’s finest vineyards, including those grown in the rich soil of the Niagara Peninsula.
• Chardonnay • Sauvignon Blanc • Cabernet
• Merlot • Zinfandel–Cabernet • Gamay Noir
• Pinot Noir
French Cross
These wines are special cuvees made with grapes sourced from some of the world’s finest vineyards, including those grown in the rich soil of the Niagara Peninsula.
• Chardonnay • Sauvignon Blanc • Cabernet • Merlot • Zinfandel –Cabernet • Gamay Noir Accolades
Peller Estates has received many prestigious awards in national and international wine competitions. The most recent one being Andrew Peller Signature Series Merlot ‘Unfiltered’ 1999 for the Best Merlot. Winery Visits
Every day, unique and informative wine experiences are offered to guests of Peller Estates Winery. Wine experience options range from informative tours to interactive seminars to barrel samplings, all conducted by expert wine consultants.
Watch out For……
- Secrets of Stemware – One can discover various types of stemware and how to maximize a wine’s varietal characteristics by sampling Peller Estates VQA in a range of stemware styles.
- Reserve Boutique – In meeting the demands of a wine buyer, a personal wine consultant guides you through purchase of Peller Estates celebrated current vintage and cellared wines at the Reserve Boutique.
- The Art of Wine & Food – understanding the essential elements of enjoying the combination of wine and food together in a harmonious way. Also, examining the components of wine and the role it plays.
- Decanting Demystified – One can delve an age-old practice of decanting. The wine consultants share their insights and experience on the subject while enjoying decanted wine.
- Tasting – one can enjoy Peller Estates rare vintages at the Boutique Tasting Bar or at the Reserve Room. Wine consultants guide visitors through educational tastings. A selection of wine tasting flights are offered in addition to individual samples
- Boutique Tastings – One can sample Peller Estates’ award winning vintages at the boutique tasting areas. For the connoisseurs of wine there is back vintages and unique wine accessories available.
- Restaurant - Peller Estates Winery Restaurant offers regional wine country cuisine in a picturesque setting overlooking the vineyards and Niagara Escarpment. The premium wines of winemaker Lawrence Buhler is the perfect match to Chef Jason Parsons's inspired culinary creations. One can dine in the relaxed elegance of the dining room or on the outdoor terrace while enjoying the vineyard view.
- Educational Programs - Peller Estates is pleased to offer a variety of unique tour options and educational wine seminars that appeal to a wide range of interests from the novice wine drinker to the enthusiast. Groups may choose from a wide selections of options.
- Groups - Peller Estates Winery offers visitors travelling in groups the opportunity to experience the art, craft and passion of wine and creates engaging experiences suited to distinct needs. The setting offers a unique environment for corporate events, ranging from private winery tours, tastings and educational seminars to wine country dining.