Bachelder Hill of Wingfield Chardonnay Niagara, Ontario 2021

Bachelder Hill of Wingfield Chardonnay 2021 is one of Canada’s most exclusive Chardonnay wines and is considered by Thomas Bachelder himself to be the crown jewel of Twenty Mile Bench. The grapes come from a small parcel in the famous Wismer-Wingfield Vineyard, where steep slopes, limestone-rich soil, and a cool climate create a wine with exceptional precision, depth, and impressive aging potential.

Hill of Wingfield is located about seven kilometers from Lake Ontario and is the last vineyard to be harvested. The ripe grapes develop fantastic concentration while retaining their natural acidity. The vines were planted in 1999 and are still cultivated by the Wismer family, who have been among Niagara’s leading winemakers for more than 25 years.

The 2021 vintage was produced in a very limited run of just 100 cases. The wine is fermented with great respect for the grapes’ natural character and aged for a full 20 months in used French oak barrels. The used barrels add structure and complexity without overpowering the fruit, allowing the terroir to shine through clearly. The result is a Chardonnay with impressive energy, chalky minerality, and an elegance that brings to mind the greatest wines of Burgundy.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Intense and mineral, with crushed limestone, lemon oil, green plums, and ripe melon. These are complemented by white flowers, flint, and subtle notes of toasted nuts.

Palate: Full-bodied and precise, with juicy pear, lemon, white peach, and a pronounced chalky minerality. The extended barrel aging lends a creamy texture, while the lively acidity keeps the wine crisp and focused.

Finish: Very long and elegant with notes of mussel shells, citrus, chalk, and a salty minerality that promises an exceptionally long life in the cellar.

The Winery’s History

Thomas Bachelder is one of Canada’s most respected winemakers and has made it his life’s mission to map Niagara’s terroirs with the same precision found in Burgundy’s famous vineyards. Each individual vineyard is vinified separately so that the region’s unique soil and microclimate can be experienced in every bottle.

Bachelder collaborates with some of Niagara’s most experienced winegrowers and works exclusively with vineyards that have the potential to produce world-class wines. All Chardonnay wines are fermented with natural wild yeast and aged for an extended period in used French oak barrels, ensuring that the terroir takes center stage. Thomas Bachelder considers Hill of Wingfield to be the finest vineyard on Twenty Mile Bench and the first Canadian vineyard he would propose as a Grand Cru, if such a classification existed.

• Producer: Bachelder
• Wine: Hill of Wingfield Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2021
• Type: White wine
• Country: Canada
• Region: Niagara, Ontario
• Subregion: Twenty Mile Bench
• Vineyard: Wismer-Wingfield Vineyard – Hill of Wingfield
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Fermentation: Natural wild yeast
• Aging: 20 months in used French oak barrels
• Production: 100 cases
• Contains: Sulfites
• Volume: 75 cl
• Alcohol: 13.5%