If you’ve ever had the chance to experience Niagara-on-the-Lake, you’ll know it as a picturesque paradise where less is more.
With that, a visit to one Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyard is a must—a winery that gets right down to basics and fully embraces the philosophy that is so inherently Niagara. Meet Southbrook Vineyards, a local winery taking every effort to live in harmony with the beautiful land and soil. This winery proves that when you give back to the land that gives you so much to work with, there can be delicious rewards.
Pioneering Organic, Biodynamic, and Regenerative Wine
Known as the first winery in Canada to earn organic and biodynamic certifications for their estate vineyard, Southbrook Vineyards shows us that creating award-winning wines don’t have to come at a cost to the environment.
For Hogan, the commitment to natural winemaking isn’t just a process; it’s the foundation of the wine’s character.
“I believe the wines taste very good. The care we take in the vineyard and in the winery shows in the wine,” Hogan shares. “We are doing what we believe in to make the best natural product possible.”
Setting itself apart from the rest, Southbrook’s biodynamic approach is a step above organic. It is an agricultural philosophy that is self-sufficient, addressing the intricate interrelationship between the soil, plants, and surrounding ecosystem to ensure the environment is alive and thriving.
Taking this philosophy even further, Southbrook is also deeply committed to Regenerative Organic Agriculture. More than just a certification, this is a guiding principle that focuses on actively restoring soil health and enhancing the farm ecosystem. By avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, Southbrook relies on nature’s balance to protect the vines through:
- Vegetative Cover: Keeping the land covered year-round with diverse crops to draw down carbon, return nutrients to the soil, and prevent erosion.
- Cover Crop Rotation: Optimizing soil health, reducing pest pressure, and naturally suppressing weeds.
- Minimal Soil Disturbance: Utilizing a low-till approach that preserves crucial soil microbiology, retains water, and prevents carbon loss.
- Compost Application: Adding microbe-rich compost to boost soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, and increase carbon sequestration.
A Global Winemaking Journey
Hogan’s path to Southbrook was driven by a lifelong dedication to the craft. Born and raised in Ottawa, his passion for wine began early. After completing his sommelier accreditation, he shifted his focus from tasting to creating, earning a Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture at Brock University.
His career then took him around the world, honing his skills in some of the most respected wine regions on the globe, including Margaret River, Central Otago, the Willamette Valley, and B.C.’s Okanagan Valley.
In 2019, Hogan brought this wealth of international and domestic experience back to Ontario to take on the role of winemaker at Southbrook. Drawn by the winery’s unwavering commitment to the land, he and winery owner Bill Redelmeier share a passion for celebrating local products that are a true testament to the soil they’re grown in.
“Southbrook has a great selection of wines, but the ones I was most interested in were the certified organic and biodynamic estate wines,” says Hogan.
Minimal Intervention, Maximum Expression
Hogan’s winemaking philosophy relies on careful attention to detail to let the terroir of the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation speak for itself.
“They were all hand-harvested and fermented wild in barrel,” Hogan explains when discussing his approach to the estate vintages. “The quality of the wines was excellent, and what made them special was knowing how much work went into them to preserve their natural characteristics without the use of synthetic additions.”
Because Southbrook is located in the warmest sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula, its clay-rich soils serve as the perfect foundation for robust biodynamic red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as complex, age-worthy blends. If you’re going to try the best of the best, their top-notch vintages include their Estate Vineyard Small Lots and the renowned Poetica.
A Harmonious Winery Experience
A trip to Southbrook wouldn’t be complete without a visit to their sleek and striking hospitality pavilion. Designed by architect Jack Diamond, the building is fiercely eco-friendly, using fifty percent less energy than an average building of the same size. It holds a LEED Gold Certification, making Southbrook the first winery to ever achieve this standard.
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CONTACT/VISIT
Southbrook Organic Vineyards
Website: https://www.southbrook.com/
581 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
