Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
We were proud to feature Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery in July 2024.
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery is a boutique winery in the heart of Niagara’s wine region. Located on the Staff family’s 200-year-old estate, Sue-Ann Staff combines her family’s vast background in viticulture with her global winemaking expertise to craft wines that captivate the senses and tell the story of the land they come from. Their estate vineyards span the Twenty Mile Bench and Vinemount Ridge sub-appellations and are ideal for growing cool-climate varietals like pinot gris, riesling, baco noir, and cabernet franc.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2019 The Louie Pinot Gris, 2021 Bank Barn Baco Noir
Enthusiast Red Only: 2021 Bank Barn Baco Noir, 2020 Gritstone Cabernet
Enthusiast White Only: 2019 The Louie Pinot Gris, 2021 The Lenny Pinot Grigio
Expert Red & White: 2019 The Louie Pinot Gris, 2011 Robert’s Block Riesling, 2021 Bank Barn Baco Noir
Expert Red Only: 2021 Bank Barn Baco Noir, 2020 Gritstone Cabernet, 2021 Fancy Farm Girl Flamboyant Red
Expert White Only: 2011 Robert’s Block Riesling, 2019 The Louie Pinot Gris, 2021 The Lenny Pinot Grigio
Master Red & White: 2019 The Louie Pinot Gris, 2021 The Lenny Pinot Grigio, 2020 Riesling Loved by Lu, 2021 Bank Barn Baco Noir, 2020 Gritstone Cabernet, 2021 Fancy Farm Girl Flamboyant Red
Master Red Only: 2021 Bank Barn Baco Noir (x2), 2020 Gritstone Cabernet, 2021 Fancy Farm Girl Flamboyant Red (x2), 2018 Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes
THE LOUIE PINOT GRIS, 2019
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 180
Appearance: Deep golden colour.
Nose: Toasty, peachy nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, peach and lemon flavours. Lovely mouthfeel, well-balanced, with a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Food Pairing: Salmon in lemon and dill sauce, herbed fried chicken, spicy pork tenderloin diablo, French onion soup, and ham and cheese pinwheels.
From the winemaker: The Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio come from the same vineyard parcel of estate fruit within the Vinemount Ridge appellation here at Sue-Ann Staff. The vintage dictates what style of Pinot Gris/Grigio are made. In warmer years like 2016, 2018, and 2019, a Pinot Gris style was vinified emulating those of Alsace, France’s Pinot Gris being medium- to full-bodied, intense, oak-aged, and complex.
My Great Great Uncles Lenny and Louie were quite a pair being two brothers born 11 months apart within the same calendar year. It seemed appropriate to name these wines, crafted quite differently yet from the same vineyard, after them.
BANK BARN BACO NOIR, 2021
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Ontario
Varietal: Baco Noir
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11.5%
Residual Sugar: 14 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 850
Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Intense, floral, blackberry nose with an ink note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, juicy, herbal, blackberry flavour carried on lively acidity.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Chillable. Drink now or through 2025.
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb burgers, honey-roasted beets, pulled pork with collard greens, vegetarian chili, and chicken with mole sauce.
THE LENNY PINOT GRIGIO, 2021
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11.7%
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200
Appearance: Almost water white.
Nose: Minerally, peach pit nose.
Palate: Light-bodied, crisply dry. Green plum flavour.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Seared scallops with jalapeño vinaigrette, risotto primavera, chicken in white wine sauce, soft and mild triple crème cheeses, and pizza with ham, asparagus, and ricotta.
From the winemaker: The Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio come from the same vineyard parcel of estate fruit within the Vinemount Ridge appellation here at Sue-Ann Staff. The vintage dictates what style of Pinot Gris/Grigio are made. In cooler years like 2014, 2017, and 2021, a Pinot Grigio style was vinified emulating Northern Italian Pinot Grigios being light bodied, elegant, and dry with moderate alcohol. This 2021 Pinot Grigio is exactly that.
My Great Great Uncles Lenny and Louie were quite a pair being two brothers born 11 months apart within the same calendar year. It seemed appropriate to name these wines, crafted quite differently yet from the same vineyard, after them.
GRITSTONE CABERNET, 2020
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200
Appearance: Ruby-purple colour.
Nose: Cedary, blackcurrant bouquet with a light floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, earthy, red and blackcurrant flavours with evident but ripe cocoa powder tannins. Firmly structured.
Quality: 88 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold 1 –2 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Sausages with polenta and tapenade, herbed farrotto, Moroccan beef stew, grouper in puttanesca sauce, and Aleppo pepper chicken thighs.
From the winemaker: Our Gritstone Cabernet is named for a very special stone. Near the wine shop entrance, you’ll find a Gritstone leaning against a tree. This rare, one piece gritstone is original to the family estate. The Staff family once had a gristmill near the pond, powered by the 16 Mile Creek, to mill grain into flour. The stone’s enviable strength and longevity speaks to the wine named for it.
ROBERT'S BLOCK RIESLING, 2011
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 14 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 400
Appearance: Old gold in colour.
Nose: Citrus bouquet with that petrol note of aged riesling.
Palate: Light-bodied, mature, just off-dry lime and grapefruit flavours with a honeyed note. Well-balanced, with a long finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will age another 5+ years.
Food Pairing: Barbecued rainbow trout with citrus salsa, coq au riesling, potato vindaloo curry, Korean tacos with bulgogi beef, and chickpea and avocado salad.
FANCY FARM GIRL FLAMBOYANT RED, 2021
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 4.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, black plum nose with oak spice.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, firmly structured, plum and blackcurrant flavours.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be opened now, but will reward 1–2 years cellaring.
Food Pairing: Poblano peppers stuffed with wild rice and mushrooms, pork with blackcurrant sauce, roasted chicken with herbs, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, and beef tamale pie.
RIESLING LOVED BY LU, 2020
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 22 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 600
Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Alluring aromas of lemon, lime, peach, green apple, and petrol.
Palate: Medium acid, light-bodied. Just off-dry. Red apple, stone fruit, lemon, and a touch of minerality. Round mouthfeel with a honeyed note on the finish. Great balance and structure.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Grilled halibut with honey and lemon, Asian-style salad with peanuts, cilantro, and lime, Peruvian ceviche, salty kettle chips, and roasted pork loin with apple stuffing.
From the winemaker: Riesling Loved By Lu is Sue-Ann’s homage to her beloved mentor and grandmother, Lula Staff. When Sue-Ann became a winemaker, her grandmother Lu would always say “I love your Riesling”, so Sue-Ann named this light-hearted, vibrant riesling after her.
CHESTNUT TREE CABERNET FRANC, 2018
Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 230
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark garnet core.
Nose: Intense aromatics of cherry pie, blackberry, plum, a green vegetal note, and a hint of black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Rich notes of dark cherry, blackberry, cassis, green pepper, and black tea. Great structure with firm tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Hold 1-2 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Rib steak sliced over arugula salad, anchovy filets with EVOO, chicken in a green peppercorn sauce, steak tartar, and eggplant parmesan.
From the winemaker: In front of Sue-Ann’s home, there stands an ancient Horse Chestnut Tree with an interesting back story. As steadfast and true as this beautiful tree, our 2018 Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc delivers intensity, dominance, and longevity, just like its namesake.