It's Time: Inniskillin Wines Icewine Harvest 2012

Niagara and Okanagan wineries give a warm welcome to subzero temperatures

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - After months of watching the weather, Inniskillin Wines is pleased to announce the annual Icewine harvest will be in full swing in Niagara-on-the-Lake tonight and has been completed in the Okanagan. Inniskillin, renowned as the global leader in Icewine, has waited patiently on stand-by for the perfect weather conditions to pick the 2012 harvest of grapes, which will be pressed in the extreme cold to extract their coveted nectar.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Frigid temperatures on Sunday and into today are leading Inniskillin into the 2012 Icewine Harvest beginning around midnight tonight. Fluctuating temperatures have kept the team closely watching the weather predictions.  This intense, non-stop watch is done by vineyard manager Gerald Klose and winemaker Bruce Nicholson. The naturally frozen grapes of Cabernet Franc and Riesling will be harvested first from the Woerthle Vineyard, (Line 4 at Concession 6, Niagara-on-the-Lake, within the Four Mile Creek sub appellation) in the early morning hours of Tuesday, with pressing starting at 9:00 am.  Following this, the Vidal grapes will be harvested from the Brae Burn Vineyard, (Line 3 at the winery site, Niagara River sub appellation).  All of the grapes will be picked by mechanical harvester.

Nicholson is looking for the critical balance between the natural sugars and the natural acidities. He is anxious to try the first freshly pressed juice on Tuesday morning for an indication of what is to come for this vintage.

Inniskillin plans to expand the Sparkling Icewine portfolio with this 2012 vintage by creating a limited release Cabernet Franc Sparkling Icewine.  Currently Nicholson produces a Vidal Sparkling Icewine which has been highly awarded and much sought after. Nicholson is relieved to get started on this new vintage after a highly successful year of prestigious awards dominated by his Icewines.

Inniskillin Icewine is available at the Winery Boutique, The Wine Rack, and LCBO, as well as 73 countries around the world and online at http://www.greatestatesniagara.com/Store

Oliver, British Columbia
January 12, 2013 brought ideal conditions at the Dark Horse Vineyard for Inniskillin Okanagan to start its Icewine harvest.  In an interesting coincidence, the Arctic outflow occurred on the same date in 2012, enabling this year's vintage to be picked on the exact same day as last year's.

Vineyard manager Troy Osborne led the chilly, early morning harvest of Riesling along with winemaker Sandor Mayer, who was pleased the conditions allowed for good natural sugars and acidities that are essential to producing a well-balanced Riesling Icewine. The Arctic outflow saw the temperatures dip to -13 Celsius, enabling the grapes to achieve optimal sugar levels, averaging 42 brix. The combination of an excellent season in the south Okanagan with the blast of subzero weather allowed the grapes to reach the desired aroma and flavour intensity that is so desired in premium Icewine. Mayer's early assessment of their 2012 vintage of Riesling Icewine is extremely positive.

The Dark Horse Vineyard is a signature 22-acre vineyard for Inniskillin that was planted in 1990 under the direction of Sandor Mayer.  Dark Horse Vineyard is within the Okanagan Valley Designation.

Inniskillin Icewine is available at the Inniskillin Winery Boutique, BC LBD, BC VQA stores, and select fine restaurants as well as online at http://www.greatestatesokanagan.com/Store

About Inniskillin Wines
Inniskillin Wines, established in 1975 by co‐founders Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, is Canada's premier estate winery producing truly distinctive VQA wines from premium grape varieties grown in Canada's two main wine regions. With vineyards in both the east and the west, Inniskillin is led by winemaker Bruce Nicholson in Niagara and Sandor Mayer in the Okanagan. Inniskillin is internationally recognized for both Icewines and table wines and extremely proud of the vast collection of awards and accolades including the 2012 Top Canadian Producer International Wine and Spirits Competition, London, U.K. The iconic Inniskillin Icewine can be found in 73 countries and is the number one selling wine in duty free stores.

Inniskillin became part of the world's leading premium wine company, Constellation Brands, in 2006.

For more information, visit www.inniskillin.com

SOURCE: Inniskillin Wines