Critically acclaimed and distinctly Canadian, Stratus Wines have become a benchmark of quality in Niagara’s vibrant wine scene. Nestled in the heart of wine country, Stratus Vineyards is a sustainable, design-forward winery rooted in low-yield farming, hand-harvesting, and obsessive attention to detail. The vineyard is divided into 35 blocks and planted with 13 grape varieties—from classic Bordeaux to Syrah, Gamay, Chardonnay, and aromatic whites—offering a dynamic range of complexity and style. Its prized clay-loam and gravelly limestone soils add depth and character. Winemaker Dean Stoyka, a Niagara native raised among vines and barrels, now leads the cellar with a passion for innovation, sustainability, and expressive, site-driven wines.
A lovely pink with ruby highlights, the ’23 Icewine exhibits a sexy nose of strawberry and cranberry that needs a minute to warm up to show the added complexity of red currants, dried autumn leaves and nutty Turkish delight. On the palate it displays a rich, sweet, vigorously insistent attack of spiced redcurrant jelly that settles into strawberry cordial with a delicate hint of Chartreuse liquor on the excellent finish. Sweet enough to vie with almost any dessert, the berry flavors of this really call for something like a strawberry Pavlova or berry cobbler.
Varietals: 43% Petit Verdot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon
