The Art of Élevage: Inside Prince Edward County’s Winter Wine Festival 2026
At the Élevage: Winter Wine Festival you can be sure to experience quiet snowfall over the vineyards, cozy tasting rooms, and buzzing barrel rooms across the County as sip-seekers learn about the evolution of wine before it hits the glass.
Élevage is the process that wines undergo between fermentation and bottling.
It’s always exciting to take a deep dive into the winemaking process of Prince Edward County producers, especially now when there are more interesting wines coming out of the County than ever before. Seeing some wines made in classic styles and some winemakers being experimental to create expressive Prince Edward County wine is all part of the regional wine landscape that promises a thrilling tasting around every corner.
An Elevated Tasting of Tempranillo at Rosehall Run
The elevated tasting at one of P.E.C.’s pioneer wineries, Rosehall Run, was a vertical of the winery’s Tempranillo (which I have been a big fan of for some time!) Tempranillo in Prince Edward County that has been grown on the estate is fruit forward and marked by medium tannins and fresh acidity - a profile that is quite different from the Spanish Tempranillo most are familiar with.
We tasted the 2017, 2024, and 2025 that is yet to be bottled. It was fascinating to see how this grape performs here compared to other grape growing regions, while maintaining its’ worth as a cellar star too. This Rosehall Run specialty made by winemakers Dan Sullivan and Lee Baker is a must try for Canadian wine enthusiasts!
To Oak or Not to Oak: An Elevated Tasting at Sugarbush Vineyards
The elevated tasting at Sugarbush led by winemaker Rob Peck centered around holding vessels and how they impact the final product.
The tasting lineup included:
- Tank sample of unoaked Chardonnay
- Sparkling Peck Pink
- Side by side of oaked and unoaked Chardonnay
- Cabernet Franc (unoaked)
- Maple Red (maple syrup infused wine)
The idea of unoaked Cabernet Franc from the County caught my attention above the rest. The winemaking decision for this wine is an immediate attention grabber, and not only that, its’ fruity, pristine profile leans into a heightened consumer demand for fresh, easy drinking wines.
It’s also worth mentioning that all of these bottles are extremely wallet friendly as well. Don’t miss this stop on your next trip to PEC!
From barrels and tanks, site selection, cellaring time, and all winemaking techniques in between, the art of elevage is carefully considered to bring the Prince Edward County regional style in the glass. Here are a few must try bottles:
Sugarbush Vineyards Estate Cabernet Franc unoaked 2023
Rosehall Run Estate Tempranillo 2024
Last House Vineyard Hillier Blanc Block 130 2023
Morandin Fortificatto 2024
Broken Stone Winery Home Farm Kuepfer Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
