Two Sisters Vineyards by Niagara-on-the-Lake has an imposing, impressive wine-tasting room that also includes a restaurant and wine-making facilities. Driving up to the winery, I felt like I was watching the primetime TV soap operas, Dynasty or Falcon Crest. Yes, I know I am dating myself. The main Estate, which opened its doors in November 2014, was inspired by Italian Renaissance design, which was made popular by the 16th century Venetian architect, Andrea Palladio. Their vines planted include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Their winemaking team takes a low-intervention approach to wine production to deliver ultra-premium wines. They undertake sustainable vineyard management and make all their wines vegan-friendly. From their website, I can see that they have quite a wide distribution of their wines through restaurants across Ontario. Let me tell you about the wines I tasted.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Two Sisters Vineyards Blanc de Franc 2019 – a sparkling wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes using the Traditional Method. This is one of their recognized signature wines. It is quite uncommon to make sparkling wine from Cabernet Franc. This wine has a light lemon colour. Medium-intensity aromas of brioche, lemon and herbaceousness. Off-dry, medium-plus body with high acidity. Medium sized very creamy bubbles. Pears, light toast and some green fruit on the palate. Medium plus length. 
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Two Sisters Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2020 – This wine is a combination of two vineyard sources, with 2/3 from the Estate Vineyard and 1/3 from the Lenko Vineyard in Beamsville. 2020 was a hot and sunny vintage in the Niagara region. This wine has a lighter lemon colour. Light flinty aromas plus tropical fruits. Off-dry, medium body with a round mouthfeel. Higher acidity. Stone fruit and citrus flavours. Medium length with flint, citrus and light stone fruit flavours.
Two Sisters Vineyards Riesling 2020 – As mentioned above, 2020 was a warmer vintage in the Niagara region. This wine has a medium-minus intensity bright lemon colour. Medium plus to strong aromas of citrus, petrol and a touch of peach. Full-bodied with a round, mineral mouthfeel. Very high acidity. Stone fruit and citrus flavours, lime in particular, with a touch of honey on the finish. Medium sweetness but balanced by the acidity. Very mineral. –
Two Sisters Vineyards Riesling 2018 – 2018 was a cooler vintage. Notice the difference with the above 2020 vintage. A medium-intensity lemon colour. Medium-intensity aromas of lemon, petrol, and floral. Off-dry, medium body and acidity. Stone fruit and petrol, with a touch of honey. Lighter intensity flavours. A more restrained wine.
Two Sisters Vineyards Eleventh Post 2018 – A Merlot 48%, Cabernet Franc 24% and Cabernet Sauvignon 28% blend. 2018 was a cooler vintage but the wine is quite expressive. This wine has a translucent medium-intensity garnet colour. Medium-plus intensity aromas of juicy berries, capsicum, and oak. Medium-plus body, smooth and soft mouthfeel, but not quite mouth-filling. Rich ripe flavours of plums, black fruit and black pepper. Medium-minus acidity with soft supple tannins. A bit off-dry or fruity. Touches of wood char or dark chocolate. Black cherries and black fruit on the finish. An off-dry finish.
Two Sisters Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2019 – Made with fully ripe grapes and aged in French oak barrels for 30 months. This wine has a medium-minus translucent garnet. It has a light toasty, smokey, mace spice and dark fruit nose. Fuller body with a round mouthfeel. Medium acidity and light fine-grained tannins. Toast, smoke and ripe blackberries flavours. Medium length, finishing with sweet black fruit and a touch of black pepper. Lighter mouthfeel. –
Two Sisters Vineyards Stone Eagle 2017 – This is their top-tier wine; the best barrels are selected and given longer oak aging. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is an opaque garnet colour. A medium-minus intensity ripe berry fruit aromas plus a touch of toastiness. Lighter body, with a soft smooth mouthfeel. Medium intensity fine-grained tannins. Medium-minus acidity. Ripe sweet berries, blackberries and light toastiness on the palate. A supple mouthfeel. Medium plus length with medium drying tannins. Quality.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
These wines are available to purchase online on the Two Sisters Vineyards’ website. The wines are also available at many restaurants in Ontario. The full list is on the Two Sisters Vineyards’ website. A small selection of these wines are available through the LCBO.
