Two Sisters Vineyards
We were proud to feature Two Sisters in February 2020.
Two Sisters Vineyards is located in the warm, Niagara River VQA sub-appellation adjacent to historic Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake. The magnificent landmark winery includes some 130 acres of expertly managed vines and offers engaging tours and tastings, superb dining at Kitchen76 and a concierge wine club with exceptional services and experiences.
Committed to a philosophy of low yields and dedicated sustainable farming practices, they are devoted to producing premium Ontario wines recognized alongside the best not only in Canada, but on the world stage. When combined with meticulous attention by respected winemaker Adam Pearce, the estate produces wines of remarkable power, finesse and elegance. It is especially recognized for its complex, age-worthy reds. In 2018 the winery was awarded ‘Best Performing Small Winery of the Year’ at the National Wine Awards of Canada.
Tasting Notes
RIESLING, 2017
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Various vineyards in Niagara
Alcohol: 10.2%
Residual Sugar: 25 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,079
Appearance: Bright straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, lightly floral, honeyed grapefruit bouquet with a suggestion of petrol.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied, just off-dry, crab apple and lime flavours with a touch of honey. Good tension between sweetness and acidity.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now but will hold well for five years.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Mediterranean chickpea salad, prawn stir-fry with ginger, quinoa-crusted onion rings with horseradish dip, braised chicken with carrots and herbs, and lobster and crab dip with crispy tortilla chips.
ESTATE RED, 2013
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara River
Varietal: Merlot dominant, supported by Cabernet Franc, and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Two Sisters Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,035
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby colour.
Nose: Spicy, cedary, vanilla, cigar-box nose with blackcurrant and plum aromas and a wisp of toast and smoke.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, fresh and fruity, red plum and blackcurrant flavours with lively acidity, finishing with firm but ripe tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will hold for three years or more.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Roast beef with caramelized onions and gravy, scallion and brie-stuffed burgers, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, lentil and vegetable stew, and thyme-roasted mushrooms with polenta.
UNOAKED CHARDONNAY, 2017
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Hultink, Stonebridge, and Lenko vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,337
Appearance: Bright, pale straw colour.
Nose: Lightly mineral nose of apple with a floral top note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, well-extracted apple and lemon flavours with a long, crisp finish. Lovely mouth-feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or within 2021.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Southern fried chicken, grilled peach salad with honey vinaigrette, lemon chicken drumsticks with dill cream sauce, ham and corn chowder, cod fish cakes with parsley sauce, and roasted brussels sprouts with alfredo sauce.
ELEVENTH POST, 2016
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara River
Varietal: Merlot (72%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%), Cabernet Franc (12%)
Vineyard: Two Sisters Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,615
Appearance: Dense purple-ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, vanilla, tobacco and currant nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, well-extracted blueberry and current flavours with well-integrated oak and a firm but pliant finish. Creamy mouth-feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Hold for a year.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Pan-fried venison with blackberry sauce, seared tuna with wasabi-butter, smoked gouda and poblano pepper ravioli, beef tenderloin with red wine sauce and truffle fries, and garlic-roasted chicken and potatoes.
MARGO ROSÉ, 2017
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay (25%), Sauvignon Blanc (25%), Riesling (25%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%)
Vineyard: Various vineyards from Niagara River
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,007
Appearance: Salmon pink in colour.
Nose: Lightly cedary, red currant nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, fruity, strawberry, rhubarb and redcurrant flavours, crisply dry.
Quality: Outstanding. Lovely mouth-feel with a tangy, acidic finish. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Salmon with pesto and couscous salad, turkey burgers topped with hummus and arugula, prosciutto-wrapped melon, lobster spring rolls with chipotle sauce, and pizza with roasted garlic, balsamic, and red onions.
MERLOT, 2015
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara River
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Two Sisters Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 180
Appearance: Dense ruby purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, plum and blackberry bouquet.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, plum and dark chocolate flavours carried on lively acidity.
Quality: Well-balanced, but could use a year or two in the cellar to soften the tannins.
Critic Rating: 89-90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Roasted red pepper and smoked gouda soup, pasta puttanesca with ribeye steak, pork tenderloin with cranberry reduction, veal with tarragon cream sauce, and rack of lamb with mushrooms.
SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2017
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Four Mile Creek (70%) and Twenty Mile Bench (30%)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 872
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale straw-coloured core.
Nose: Green apple, lemon and lime citrus, pear, and gooseberry. White flowers. Wet stone.
Palate: Medium+ acid, light body. Dry, lemon, lime, and grapefruit.
Quality: Very Good+. 88 points. Drinking very nicely now.
Food Pairing: Grilled salmon with mango and black bean salsa, steamed clams with ginger-garlic sauce, seared scallops with salsa verde, baked chicken roulade, and roasted artichoke hearts with lemon aioli.
CABERNET FRANC, 2015
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara River
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Two Sisters Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,467
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Deep ruby core.
Nose: Red and black cherry, juicy blackberry, perfume of violet, black pepper, oak spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Herbaceous, green vegetables, more savoury than fruit-forward.
Quality: Very Good+. 88 points. Hold for 5-7 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Skirt steak with green olive tapenade, roasted duck with cherry sauce, crispy-skin trout with cauliflower purée, black lentil and leek soup, and sweet and sour meatballs.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2014
Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara River
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Two Sisters Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,118
Appearance: Bright, semi-opaque. Deep ruby core, lighter rim.
Nose: Black cherry, black licorice, leather, black pepper, green herbs like mint and eucalyptus.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Black cherry, forest floor and cedar, earth, black pepper and baking spice.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points. A delicate expression. Drinking well now, but will hold for 3-4 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Blue cheese-stuffed mushroom caps, grilled lamb with mint sauce, roasted duck breast with grilled cabbage slaw, filet mignon with parmesan crusted asparagus, and tacos with black beans, savoury herbs, and salsa.