Niagara, Ontario

Stratus Vineyards is the first LEED-certified winery in the world and is committed to sustainability and crafting wines with a gentle touch. Stratus' 55-acre vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake is planted with 16 grape varietals, allowing them to embrace diversity for complexity and produce their signature Stratus White and Stratus Red alongside a range of small-lot single varietal bottlings.

Winemakers J-L Groux and Dean Stoyka combine traditional techniques with innovation and ingenuity to expertly craft wines with powerful aromatics, a round mouthfeel, complexity, significant length, and long-term aging capability.

Stratus Vineyards 2024 Subscription wines included in the monthly subscription

February 2024

Enthusiast Red: White:  2021 Stratus Chardonnay, 2018 Stratus Kabang Red
Enthusiast Red Only:  2018 Stratus Kabang Red, 2021 Stratus Gamay
Enthusiast White Only:  2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Stratus Riesling
Expert Red: White:  2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Stratus Cabernet Franc Rosé, 2019 Stratus Merlot
Expert Red Only:  2019 Stratus Red, 2019 Stratus Merlot, 2021 Stratus Gamay
Expert White Only:  2022 Stratus Field Blend Ancestral, 2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Stratus Riesling 
Master Red: White:  2022 Stratus Field Blend Ancestral, 2021 Stratus Chardonnay, 2022 Stratus Riesling, 2019 Stratus Red, 2019 Stratus Merlot, 2021 Stratus Gamay
Master Red Only:  2021 Stratus Alto Red, 2021 Stratus Gamay, 2019 Stratus Merlot, 2019 Stratus Red, 2020 Stratus Cabernet Franc, 2019 Stratus Cabernet Sauvignon

STRATUS CHARDONNAY, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 294

Appearance: Straw colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty nose of apple and lemon zest with a leesy note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, apple and hazelnut flavours. Caressingly rich and round on the palate with great length.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: Tilapia with pesto and spinach, chicken Milanese, butter-poached lobster rolls with spicy garlic sauce, roasted pepper and mozzarella focaccia, and ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes.

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STRATUS KABANG RED, 2018

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (72%), Merlot (15%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.4%
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 196

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Ruby-garnet colour.
Nose: A nose of raspberry, blueberry, licorice, menthol, and cigar box.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, and medium body. Nicely structured with savoury elements of green pepper, green herbs, black tea, and a hint of pepper spice.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: Barbecued hamburgers with lemon aioli, smoked venison, grilled sunchokes with honey-fermented pomegranate seeds, spiced tuna with saffron, and French lentil salad with goat cheese.

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STRATUS SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.17 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 294

Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, grassy, gooseberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, pear and lemon flavours. Well-balanced, dramatic acidity and a long citrus finish. Lovely mouth feel.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.

Food Pairing: Chicken souvlaki with tzatziki, caramelized scallops with lemon-butter, spinach and artichoke dip with baked pita, citrusy shrimp ceviche, and asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

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STRATUS GAMAY, 2021

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 353

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Light ruby red colour.
Nose: Bold aromas of black cherry, savoury green herbs, and pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Savoury notes of leather, cigar ash, baking spice, and hints of black pepper.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Awards:

  • Silver – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Lamb curry, seared tuna with ponzu and red chiles, pork tenderloin with peach-mustard sauce, sweet potato gratin, and spanakopita.

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STRATUS RIESLING, 2022

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 10.2%
Residual Sugar: 14.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 182

Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, grapefruit nose with a hint of petrol.
Palate: Medium-bodied, a shade off-dry with citrus and honeyed flavours, finishing on a long green apple note.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now, but can be held for 5+ years.

Food Pairing: Spicy salmon rolls with avocado, ham and gruyere French toast sandwiches, roasted lemon-pepper chicken wings, baked falafel over rice and lentils, and steamed mussels with tomato and garlic sauce.

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STRATUS MERLOT, 2019

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 316

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, black plum bouquet with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, somewhat austere and savoury as if the fruit is still sleeping. Firmly structured.
Quality: 89 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Needs cellaring for a couple of years.

Awards:

  • Bronze – 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Truffle risotto, skirt steak with paprika butter, shiitake mushroom and cheese dip, pan-seared duck breast with blueberry sauce, and chargrilled oysters with parmesan-dusted asparagus.

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STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ, 2022

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 510

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Bright. Pale salmon colour.
Nose: A fruit-forward nose of black cherry, strawberry, pear, and hints of peach.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Tantalizing flavours of strawberry, cranberry, stone fruit, and lemon zest. Nicely balanced.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: Barbecued vegetable skewers, bouillabaisse, pan-roasted salmon with tomato vinaigrette, smoked gouda and mushroom quesadilla, and hasselback potatoes with creamy yogurt sauce.

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STRATUS RED, 2019

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (31%), Merlot (21%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Petit Verdot (19%), Tannat (4%), Syrah (3%), Malbec (2%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,419

Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, slightly smoky nose of black fruits.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, richly extracted flavours of plum, blackberry, and blackcurrant. Beautifully balanced and harmonious, with ripe tannins.
Quality: 93 – 95 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be consumed with pleasure now but will reward cellaring for 2 –3 years.

Awards:

  • Silver – 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Fried wild mushrooms with parmesan, veggie burgers with aged cheddar, pork tenderloin with blackberry merlot sauce, spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza, and smoked pork roast.

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STRATUS "FIELD BLEND" ANCESTRAL, 2022

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Riesling (57%), Chardonnay (28%), Sauvignon Blanc (15%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11.7%
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 340

Appearance: Hazy, unfiltered. Golden hay colour.
Nose: Delicate aromas of lemon, baked bread, and green apple.
Palate: Medium acid, light- to medium-bodied. Notes of lemon, orange, and pear with light effervescence.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Awards:

  • Bronze – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Lemon-garlic smoked salmon, coq au vin, baked brie with brown sugar and Dijon mustard, pesto linguini with mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes, and ahi poké with quinoa.

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STRATUS CABERNET FRANC, 2020

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 14.7%
Residual Sugar: 0.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 540

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby-purple colour.
Nose: Beautiful bouquet of violets, licorice, savoury green herbs, and a hint of menthol.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Rich flavours of dark cherry, black plum, cassis, green vegetal notes, and rosemary. Great structure and balance.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant and drink now or hold for 2-3 years.

Awards:

  • Silver – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Sweet and sour spare ribs, tandoori chicken, filet mignon with mushroom gravy, onion jam and goat cheese rugelach, and smoky black bean burgers.

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STRATUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2019

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 409

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark purple-ruby colour.
Nose: Intense aromatics of black licorice with hints of barnyard.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Savoury notes of blackcurrant, dark cherry, black tea, black peppercorn, and a hint of smoke. Firm tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant well and drink now or hold 1-2 years.

Food Pairing: Vegan enchiladas, braised beef short ribs with a red wine sauce, rosemary-braised lamb shanks, spaghetti Bolognese, and French onion soup.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you use a new winery each month?

Yes, we partner with a different winery each month ensuring you receive a variety of VQA wines.

Who picks the wines?

We work together with the wineries and with our team of experts.

When was Stratus Vineyards 2024 Subscription featured?

It was featured in February 2024.

Who ships the wines?

All wines are shipped by the wineries directly. To learn more, see how it works.

How can I subscribe to Stratus Vineyards 2024 Subscription?

You can subscribe by going to wine club and choosing between red, white or mixed options.

What's the price of the subscription?

You can go directly to our product page to get the latest prices.

Can I give these as a gift?

Yes! we have an assortment of gift options. You can choose between a monthly gift delivery or a one-time gift basket.