Cave Spring

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More than three decades ago, the Pennachetti family helped to pioneer the cultivation of noble European grape varietals on the Niagara Peninsula with the planting of their first Riesling and Chardonnay vines at Cave Spring . In the years since, Cave Spring has established itself as one of Canada’s most acclaimed wineries, earning a reputation for crafting elegant and distinctive cool-climate wines in the heart of Ontario’s wine country. First named by European settlers in the late 18th century for the limestone caves and mineral springs found on the site of our estate vineyard, Cave Spring is nestled along a gently sloping terrace of the Niagara Escarpment. Overlooking Lake Ontario, this area known as the Beamsville Bench has proven ideal for cool-climate viticulture. As with any exceptional terroir, ours begins with the soil. Derived primarily from escarpment limestone, shale and sandstone, these stony clay tills are rich in minerals, yet limited in organic matter, creating the perfect balance of nutrients for growing grapes displaying character and sophistication. Beneath the escarpment cliffs, the vineyard’s natural slope drains away excess precipitation, while retaining an optimal balance of moisture. Meanwhile, the presence of a hardwood forest on the ridge above the vineyard also aids in the retention of moisture, which is slowly released through layers of sedimentary rock into the sub-soils below. This mineral-rich water is the source of the site’s many natural springs, including our namesake springs, which surge from a series of caves at the foot of the escarpment. Many other springs continue down the escarpment slope, nourishing the vines from beneath during drier weather. Finally, the escarpment cliffs that surround Cave Spring Vineyard capture temperate lake-effect breezes from nearby Lake Ontario, lengthening the growing season, and allowing the fruit to achieve rich, flavourful ripeness. With growing conditions similar to the great northern winegrowing regions of France and Germany, Cave Spring Vineyard has proven ideal for the cultivation of exceptional Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. In addition to these core varieties, we also grow superior Gamay, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. Cave Spring Vineyard is classified as a sustainable grape grower and wine producer, which is to say that we intervene minimally in the vineyard and in the cellars in order to allow nature to take its course as much as possible in the growing of our grapes and the making of our wine. Our goal is to minimize our impact on the environment so as to preserve the natural world we live in for future generations, while recognizing the need to produce wines that meet the expectations of the marketplace, and are economically viable in the long term.