Rosehall Run: 20 Years Of Acclaimed Wines And A Remarkable Team

Rosehall Run Vineyards may be one of the original wineries celebrating more than 20 years in Prince Edward County, but it’s still releasing new products and experimenting with expert skill to see what the land can express.

That willingness to try new things and work hands-on from planting to first pour is how the Rosehall team learned that Sauvignon Blanc could work in the region, where it’s not typically produced. Now it’s part of their regular portfolio – and one of their most popular wines.

It’s how Rosehall Run got known for its variety, adding new dimensions to its offerings off the beaten path, while still producing some of the most highly-regarded traditional wines to come out of The County.

“We take pride in our diverse selection and our diligence,” said Dylan Sullivan, Customer Experience Manager at Rosehall Run.

With that evolution came a marrying of change and tradition, which Sullivan credits for giving Rosehall Run a unique edge. He said the winery and vineyards also have an element of consistency, which comes from having the same team and process from 2001 to today. “It’s a very long tradition of having our certain house style,” he said. “Visitors have come to trust our quality; they appreciate knowing the excellent team here and what to expect.”

Twenty Years Of Expertise

Rosehall Run started back in 2000 when Dan and Lynn Sullivan, with support from Cam Reston, founded the vineyards and winery on a 150-acre farm in the western portion of Prince Edward County. The land was chosen for its proximity to Lake Ontario, as well as what lay beneath the ground: clay soil, rock and shale fragments, and a calcium-rich limestone base combined to make the perfect spot for cool climate grape growing.

Planting soon began in 2001, with the vineyard starting out with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It launched Rosehall Run as one of the earliest County wineries established in Hillier Ward.

Today, Prince Edward County is a Designated Viticultural Area in Ontario, whose original winemakers are regarded as passionate pioneers. Rosehall Run now boasts a state-of-the-art winemaking facility with a vigorous French Barrel program in its 7,200 square foot gravity-fed barrel cellar, blasted deep into the limestone. Sullivan said that as with everything on the farm, Dan practises a hands-on approach to winemaking that starts in the vineyard and extends to all aspects, including individually selected barrels for aging.

Accompanying the cellar, a modern tasting room has been created at Rosehall Run, offering visitors a comfortable place to sample the award-winning wines. It’s here that visitors will see some changes this year, as Sullivan said renovations are underway at Rosehall Run to enhance the experience. He said visitors can look forward to a newly-expanded patio and outdoor seating area for the upcoming season.

Sparkling Summer

Sullivan also noted there are exciting new releases and events on the horizon this summer. Throughout the season, Rosehall Run will offer flights constructed by style in the tasting room, featuring rotating selections. In addition, they are expanding the offerings of non-wine options such as snackables and charcuteries showcasing local foods.

Coming off of a beautiful kick-off to the season in early March with Élevage, an inaugural county-wide festival in partnership with the winegrowers of PEC, Rosehall Run is looking ahead to other events showcasing their sought-after vintages and fan favourites. Stay tuned for information about a Starry Night Party to re-introduce Indigo, a 2021 Charmat method sparkling white.

New releases set to impress include The Righteous Dude, an off-dry Riesling, sourced from Bob Nedelko’s decades-old vines in Niagara. An anticipated return for this year is Rosehall Run’s Sauvignon Blanc which Sullivan said will be back in full force. He also pointed to Rosehall Run’s 2020 St. Cindy Chardonnay and 2020 St. Cindy Pinot Noir – both of which received recent critical acclaim, with the Chardonnay even earning gold at the National Wine Awards last year. “Those are an excellent showcase of what we do here,” he said, encouraging wine enthusiasts to give them a try.

Rosehall Run is also expanding its library of wines for purchase online this year, with Sullivan giving an insider tip that a lot of back vintage will be showcased.

“We’re certainly preparing for an exciting summer at Rosehall Run,” said Sullivan.

Follow along and stay in the loop at www.rosehallrun.com or on Instagram @rosehallrun and on Facebook @RosehallRun.