Appellation and Sub-Appellation: the origin of Featherstone wines

Appellation: Niagara Peninsula

An appellation is the geographical indication used to indicate the origin of a wine. It has long been recognized that the terroir -- the location, climate, soil and geography -- has a direct influence on the character of the grapes and the personality of the wine.

The Niagara Peninsula is located at approx. 43N latitude and has a growing season comparable to the Languedoc region in France. The Niagara Penninsula is bordered by Lake Ontario to the north, the Niagara River to the east and its defining feature to the south -- the Niagara Escarpment.

The Escarpment is a 335 m (575 ft) high ridge that winds for 725 km (550 mi) from New York State through the Niagara Penninsula and into northern Ontario.

The Escarpment allows vineyards to benefit from Lake Ontario's off-shore breezes by reflecting them back to the lake, maintaining a constant and active airflow. This air circulation discourages cold air from settling in low lying areas and maximizes the moderating effect of the warm waters of the lake in the winter (for more details, follow this link to VQA Ontario).

Sub-Appellation: Twenty Mile Bench

The Twenty Mile Bench is a prestigious segment of the Niagara Escarpment. In places the land rises gently in large terraces, or benches, but there is a varied and complex topography, with changing slopes within this sub-appellation.

Glacial activity has provided deep clay with a high proportion of limestone and shale. Featherstone's sheltered north-facing slopes are afforded year-round temperature moderation, the natural hills and contours provide excellent air and soil drainage and a winding creek ensures a constant water source.