Saturday, August 22, 2026 wine reviews are a pair of lovely, premium wines that were just released by Featherstone Estate Winery. Both of these wines are only available direct through the winery in Niagara, including their online shop.
Featherstone is an award-winning and eco-friendly winery situated in the prestigious Twenty Mile Bench appellation in Niagara. It was established in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, David Johnson. In February 2024, in the midst of its 25th anniversary, Featherstone underwent a transformative change in ownership and is now owned by philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal.
The history of the Featherstone vineyard began in the 1970s when the first vines were planted. The grapes were sold to a large wine conglomerate until 1999, when the first Featherstone wines were made. Featherstone has thriving Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc vines planted in 1986, as well as Riesling vines dating to 1978, which are among the oldest Riesling vines in Niagara. Situated in Vineland, Ontario, Featherstone has 23 acres of rolling hills on the prestigious upper Twenty Mile Bench along the Niagara Escarpment in the Twenty Valley wine region of Niagara.
Since 1999, Featherstone has distinguished itself through insecticide-free and eco-friendly farming practices. The winery continues to farm naturally and without the use of insecticides while embracing sustainable winegrowing practices. It encourages biodiversity in an environment that is healthy and completely unique, believing that this individuality translates into its wines. In 2023, Featherstone received its Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification, assuring wine drinkers that the complete grape-to-glass cycle is sustainable.
The winemaking philosophy at Featherstone is based on the scientific and intuitive processes involved in grape growing and winemaking. The winery crafts wines that reflect both the character of the grapes and the artistry of the winemaker. Kevin Qin, who joined the Featherstone family in 2014, is the vineyard manager and head winemaker at Featherstone. He works throughout the growing season to enhance the grapes' natural attributes, ensuring that at harvest he can create exceptional, artisanally crafted wines with minimal winemaking embellishments. The team philosophy at Featherstone is based on the belief that a healthy team creates a healthy winery — investing in their people is just as important as investing in their vineyards. The winery also values work-life balance, provides a supportive workplace culture, and pays a living wage.
In 2023, the growing season in Niagara ended up being a very good one thanks to a warm, dry autumn, which provided relief from the wet, dreary, and smoke-filled summer. The extended growing season in Niagara contributed to the development of phenolic ripeness, concentrated flavours and complexity, along with ripe tannic structure, finesse, and juicy acidity. Let's see how these two wines from the 2023 vintage in Niagara are tasting tonight...
100% Pinot Noir grown on heavy clay soil. Grapes were hand-picked in early September, sorted, and whole-cluster pressed. Primary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, with the wine remaining in tank until the beginning of February, after which it underwent tirage and was held on its lees for 24 months before disgorging. The medium-high intensity nose is toasty with strawberry, raspberry, and cherry aromas nuanced with citrus blossom, and leesy notes, plus touches of autolytic and reductive characters. The mid-weighted palate is dry and tangy with a delicious mix of citrus, strawberry, raspberry, red berry, mandarin, and toasty flavours supported by fresh and vibrant acidity, alongside crisp and refreshing bubbles. The mid-palate has a slightly creamy mouthfeel, while tangy citrus and red berry notes continue on the back palate, eventually joined by savoury, leesy notes on the long, crisp finish. This recommended buy is enjoyable now, but will reward ageing and should continue to drink well over the next 5-7 years. Score: 91 pts
FEATHERSTONE RESERVE STONE & VINE 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Ontario, Canada (XD) - $45.95
Blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon that were harvested over fifteen days beginning Oct. 26. Each component was individually fermented in their climate-controlled cellar, and included undergoing 100% malolactic fermentation. The Merlot was fermented and aged in French oak barrels, while the Cabernets were fermented and aged in American oak. The best individual barrels of each varietal were hand selected and then blended. Rich, concentrated, medium-high intensity nose features ripe dark berry fruit and fine oak spice aromas of blackberry, black plum, black currant, dark cherry, sandalwood, and wet earth with a slightly reductive character. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is dry and ripe with lovely, tangy dark fruited, black plum, blackberry, black currant, tobacco, sandalwood, oak spice, dried spice flavours, plus some mocha notes. It's framed by crisp and juicy acidity, alongside elegant tannins that are supple with a gently grippy mouthfeel. Tangy dark berry notes taper to savoury earth and mocha on the long, well-balanced finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 91 pts
Featherstone is an award-winning and eco-friendly winery situated in the prestigious Twenty Mile Bench appellation in Niagara. It was established in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, David Johnson. In February 2024, in the midst of its 25th anniversary, Featherstone underwent a transformative change in ownership and is now owned by philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal.
The history of the Featherstone vineyard began in the 1970s when the first vines were planted. The grapes were sold to a large wine conglomerate until 1999, when the first Featherstone wines were made. Featherstone has thriving Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc vines planted in 1986, as well as Riesling vines dating to 1978, which are among the oldest Riesling vines in Niagara. Situated in Vineland, Ontario, Featherstone has 23 acres of rolling hills on the prestigious upper Twenty Mile Bench along the Niagara Escarpment in the Twenty Valley wine region of Niagara.
Since 1999, Featherstone has distinguished itself through insecticide-free and eco-friendly farming practices. The winery continues to farm naturally and without the use of insecticides while embracing sustainable winegrowing practices. It encourages biodiversity in an environment that is healthy and completely unique, believing that this individuality translates into its wines. In 2023, Featherstone received its Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification, assuring wine drinkers that the complete grape-to-glass cycle is sustainable.
The winemaking philosophy at Featherstone is based on the scientific and intuitive processes involved in grape growing and winemaking. The winery crafts wines that reflect both the character of the grapes and the artistry of the winemaker. Kevin Qin, who joined the Featherstone family in 2014, is the vineyard manager and head winemaker at Featherstone. He works throughout the growing season to enhance the grapes' natural attributes, ensuring that at harvest he can create exceptional, artisanally crafted wines with minimal winemaking embellishments. The team philosophy at Featherstone is based on the belief that a healthy team creates a healthy winery — investing in their people is just as important as investing in their vineyards. The winery also values work-life balance, provides a supportive workplace culture, and pays a living wage.
In 2023, the growing season in Niagara ended up being a very good one thanks to a warm, dry autumn, which provided relief from the wet, dreary, and smoke-filled summer. The extended growing season in Niagara contributed to the development of phenolic ripeness, concentrated flavours and complexity, along with ripe tannic structure, finesse, and juicy acidity. Let's see how these two wines from the 2023 vintage in Niagara are tasting tonight...
Tasting Notes:
FEATHERSTONE BLANC DE NOIRS 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Traditional Method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $34.95100% Pinot Noir grown on heavy clay soil. Grapes were hand-picked in early September, sorted, and whole-cluster pressed. Primary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, with the wine remaining in tank until the beginning of February, after which it underwent tirage and was held on its lees for 24 months before disgorging. The medium-high intensity nose is toasty with strawberry, raspberry, and cherry aromas nuanced with citrus blossom, and leesy notes, plus touches of autolytic and reductive characters. The mid-weighted palate is dry and tangy with a delicious mix of citrus, strawberry, raspberry, red berry, mandarin, and toasty flavours supported by fresh and vibrant acidity, alongside crisp and refreshing bubbles. The mid-palate has a slightly creamy mouthfeel, while tangy citrus and red berry notes continue on the back palate, eventually joined by savoury, leesy notes on the long, crisp finish. This recommended buy is enjoyable now, but will reward ageing and should continue to drink well over the next 5-7 years. Score: 91 pts
FEATHERSTONE RESERVE STONE & VINE 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Ontario, Canada (XD) - $45.95
Blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon that were harvested over fifteen days beginning Oct. 26. Each component was individually fermented in their climate-controlled cellar, and included undergoing 100% malolactic fermentation. The Merlot was fermented and aged in French oak barrels, while the Cabernets were fermented and aged in American oak. The best individual barrels of each varietal were hand selected and then blended. Rich, concentrated, medium-high intensity nose features ripe dark berry fruit and fine oak spice aromas of blackberry, black plum, black currant, dark cherry, sandalwood, and wet earth with a slightly reductive character. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is dry and ripe with lovely, tangy dark fruited, black plum, blackberry, black currant, tobacco, sandalwood, oak spice, dried spice flavours, plus some mocha notes. It's framed by crisp and juicy acidity, alongside elegant tannins that are supple with a gently grippy mouthfeel. Tangy dark berry notes taper to savoury earth and mocha on the long, well-balanced finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 91 pts
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