Vintages New Release Collection – May 10, 2025

LOCAL TALENT

Domenic Di Pietrantonio. BOTTOM LEFT: Liquid gold at Huff Estates.

Closson Chase has been making fine wine in the County since 1998, with their first commercial vintage coming in 2004. The focus is on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which is hardly surprising given the calcareous soil atop a lime stone base (a hallmark of vineyards in Burgundy) of the winery’s own estate vineyards in Hillier Township. Following in the tradition of founding partner Deborah Paskus, winemaker Keith Tyers puts meticulous care into tending the vines all year to allow the fruit to express the character of the vineyard. The Churchside Pinot Noir comes from fruit sustainably grown in a single vineyard and is certified vegan.

Casa-Dea began growing wine grapes in the County in 2000 when Domenic Di Pietrantonio fulfilled his lifelong ambition by establishing a winery, which he named for his beloved wife, Dea. Now with over 65 acres of planted vines, the winery remains dedicated to expressing the best that the County has to offer through the lens of classic European grape varieties. Overseeing the entire winemaking process from grape to bottle, winemaker Kalvin Holland uses the Melon de Bourgogne variety of Loire Valley Muscadet fame to craft a vibrant, dynamic wine that tiptoes the tightrope between dry and off-dry.

Huff Estates celebrated its grand opening in 2004 and has been a leading light in the County’s wine scene ever since. The estate boasts its own sleekly sophisticated inn, cozy restaurant and patio, and of course the famed Oeno Gallery, where visitors can peruse fine art from internationally acclaimed painters, photographers and glass- workers. Burgundian-born winemaker Frédéric Picard crafts the Cuvée Janine Sparkling Rosé from 100% Pinot Noir, with the bubbles achieved in the tradi- tional method of Champagne, whereby a second fermentation occurs within the bottle. The wine is aged for 20 months on the lees for added depth.

24 VINTAGES