Since 1991, Southbrook Vineyards Owners Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier have been crafting superlative wines from Niagara vineyards. Like many pioneering wineries in Ontario, Southbrook has explored many different styles and varietals, but long-lived, barrel-fermented Chardonnay and elegant bordelaise reds emerged as the focus.
In 2005, guided by new Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Ann Sperling, the family purchased a prime property located in the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake. When the doors of the LEED-Gold hospitality pavilion officially opened in 2008, Southbrook Vineyards was Canada’s first winery certified both organic and biodynamic. While under Southbrook’s care, the farm has never been treated with synthetic pesticides nor fertilizers. This stewardship is deepened by biodynamic practices, which are founded upon an understanding of the vineyard as a component of an integrated, self-sustaining, living ecosystem. This regenerative agriculture increases organic matter in the soil, improves water quality and enhances biodiversity.
This site, with heavy low-fertility soils and distance from the moderating influence of Lake Ontario, produces small crops of ripe fruit, given spine and longevity by the cool climate. Attention to detail, from selecting premium vines to hand harvesting to low-intervention winemaking, results in wines with a distinct taste of place. In addition, Southbrook supports the development of organic farming in Niagara, by collaborating with certified growers across the region. The environmental commitment is now more measureable, as Southbrook was the first winery to complete audits for both the Wine Council of Ontario’s Sustainable Winegrowing and Sustainable Winemaking programs.
Considered a leading force in the Canadian movement towards organic and biodynamic fine winemaking, Ann has three decades of experience in winegrowing and winemaking and has played pivotal roles in the establishment of several successful top-end wineries.
Ann prefers to think of herself as a “Winegrower,” instead of a winemaker. This vineyard-focused ideology is passionately applied to every facet of Southbrook’s winemaking philosophy, from detailed organic and biodynamic grape-growing practices through gentle and meticulous handling in the winery.
Chardonnay has always been important to the team at Southbrook, so in 2006 when we planted our estate biodynamic vineyard, we chose Dijon clones 95, 96 & 76 to express our terroir with elegance. Our philosophy is not to have any single element dominate, so grapes are hand harvested when balanced with fresh acidity. We wild yeast and malolactic ferment our wines in larger format French oak barrels, mostly well used. Ann Sperling applies a light touch, but employs her craft through barrel selection to create `blends` that express each growing season’s uniqueness. Our program includes organic Chardonnay growers from cool sub-appellations, particularly Heather Laundry in Lincoln Lakeshore and the Saunders Family on the Beamsville Bench. Both growers have old Chardonnay plantings that have proven their worth over many vintages in the region.