W I N E RY P R O F I L E
Keeping
it Green
Stratus Vineyards continues their efforts
for environmental sustainability
By Shelley Boettcher
Visit Stratus Vineyards and you’ll quickly realize that, from the moment you walk
up to the doors, you are about to experience something special. The sleek, modern
tasting room is airy and bathed in natural light. The vineyards are picture-perfect
and the staff is warm, friendly and knowledgeable. Also, there’s literally something for
every wine lover, from beginner to full-on oenophile and collector.
“We’ve created different experiences for different intentions – whether you want to
come in for an in-depth tasting or you simply want to sit and sip on the patio with a friend
and enjoy wine country,” said estate director Suzanne Janke.
“It’s all about the details, in creating a standout experience.”
Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Stratus Vineyards was started in 2000, by
Canadian entrepreneur David Feldberg. The president and CEO of Teknion Corp., a global
modular furnishing company based in Ontario, Feldberg bought the land with the intention
of building one of Canada’s top wineries – one dedicated to creating exceptional
wines within a sustainable, environmentally friendly space.
“David Feldberg has been unwavering in terms of pursuing quality above all else,”
Janke said.
“A lot of times, wineries open with a vision, but quickly have to change direction. But
we’ve been fortunate in that we’ve been able to stay the course.”
Feldberg assembled an outstanding quartet of directors, all industry leaders: Janke,
sales director Charles Baker, winemaker J-L Groux and director of administration
Carol Marotta.
By 2005, Stratus was named the world’s first winery and Canada’s first building to be
awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
The wines have had plenty of accolades, too. The current releases have received
scores in the mid- to high 90s from some of Canada’s best-known critics, while Wine
Spectator gave the 2017 Stratus Riesling Icewine a mighty 92 points.
Most of the wines are still sold at the cellar door, but fine restaurants and shops
across Canada carry some of the lineup, as well as shops throughout the U.S., England,
mainland Europe, Japan, and Singapore.
Despite their successes, the winery team isn’t content to rest on its laurels. “We
always have new ideas on the go,” said Groux with a laugh.
“It’s difficult to predict exactly what’s going on.”
Photos courtesy of Stratus Vineyards
WINTER 2020 § POURED CANADA § 15