Sister’s Run: How Elena Brooks Blends Grit and Grace
Elena Brooks, founder and winemaker of Sister’s Run, takes great pride in crafting restrained and balanced wines that reflect the South Australian terroirs from which they’re derived. Her methods have proven to be widely accepted and deeply appreciated by Canadian consumers as Sister’s Run continues to be one of Ontario’s most loved brands.
The Bottle, The Boot, and The Heel
The symbol of the boot and heel can be found on every bottle of Sister’s Run. The story behind the logo is based on an evening when Elena had to rush to an awards gala mid-harvest, to then hurry back changing from heels to boots again to complete harvest with her team. With one boot and one heel on, Elena heard someone yell, “Run, sister, run!” …and the name of the brand was born. A perfect emblem for a hardworking and successful woman in the wine industry!
Even more fitting, Elena’s dynamic between grit and grace in her work are also reflected in her wine. The wines of Sister’s Run show incredible balance between power and elegance, a fine line that makes them massively appealing.
The Making of a Winemaker
The life of Elena Brooks seems one that was destined for winemaking. Her mother worked in a winery in Bulgaria when Elena was young. since she was the only one around that could speak English, at the age of 12, Elena would translate for winemakers to all the eager Australians visiting the winery to learn about wine. Within a few short years, Elena had absorbed a remarkable amount of knowledge about winemaking and made her very first Chardonnay at age 16.
Today, Elena is widely recognized worldwide as one of Australia’s top producers. Her wines and wineries have won countless gold (and double-gold!) medals for several wines. Elena was even titled “Bushing Queen”, a highly regarded award at the McLaren Vale Wine Show for having the highest scoring wine in the competition for her Lion’s Tooth of McLaren Vale Shiraz Riesling 2020.
“The truth is in the vineyard and the proof is in the glass.”
Discover Sister’s Run through these exceptional South Australian red wines:
Sister’s Run Epiphany Shiraz 2022
From the Epiphany vineyard in the McLaren Vale, this medium-bodied Shiraz embodies everything to love for wine experts and the casual wine sipper alike. An enticing nose generously offers milk chocolate, allspice and blackberry. Stewed fruit notes meld with an approachable, velvety tannin structure that together create a rich and luxurious palate with dried fig, cocoa and coffee flavours ringing through on a long finish. $17.95, LCBO #269464
Sister’s Run Old Testament Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
This impactful Cabernet Sauvignon is derived from the Old Testament vineyard in the Coonawarra region of South Australia. Red and black raspberries on the nose and palate are underpinned by a veil of nutmeg and sweet oak, deepening layers of flavour and complexity. It displays copious amounts of fresh blackberries balanced by lifting acidity to all edges of its form that plays prominently on a pleasantly long finish. $18.95, LCBO #478271
