Stratus Vineyards Works with Paul Hobbs

Acclaimed Ontario winery continues to raise bar

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, Nov. 12 /CNW/ - Stratus Vineyards today announced that it has engaged renowned winemaker and viticultural consultant Paul Hobbs to bring additional international perspective to its operations in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada .

Stratus' winemaking and viticulture program is led by J-L (Jean-Laurent) Groux. Since its inception, the winery has pursued the highest level of quality in all of its operations, and has sought global expertise on many matters, including viticulture, sustainability and winemaking. Advisors have included Jean-René Matignon (Bordeaux) and Summit Engineering (Napa).

Paul Hobbs is one of the world's leading winemaking consultants, and is currently working with wineries in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

A recent edition of The Wine Advocate referred to Hobbs as, "one of the most brilliant consultants working in California." Hobbs' Vina Cobos winery is considered by many to be producing the finest wines in Argentina .

Hobbs was raised in upstate New York, and comes to Stratus with a thorough understanding of both cool and warm climate viticulture.

Stratus Winemaker Groux says, "I am excited to draw on Paul's formidable insight, gained from working in vineyards around the world. This collaboration will add a new dimension to our efforts."

On a recent visit to Stratus, Hobbs commented, "I look forward to working with J-L and his team to augment an already high-quality and rigorous winemaking practice. The Niagara Peninsula, and in particular, the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake, are among the most complex and excellent sites that I have visited in my travels."

The inaugural wines produced by this dynamic partnership will come from the 2009 vintage and will be released in 2012.

About Stratus: The Stratus vineyard produces VQA wines on its 62-acre estate. Planted with 18 varieties, the vineyard is dedicated to the art of assemblage. Its signature wines, Stratus Red and Stratus White, are considered benchmarks in the Canadian wine industry. Stratus is also recognized for its leadership in sustainability. In 2005, Stratus became the first LEED(R) certified winery in the world.

For further information: Charles Baker, Director of Marketing and Sales, [phone] x 235, [phone], [email protected]; Suzanne Janke, Director of Hospitality and Retail, [phone] x 228, [phone], [email protected]