All Hail Hillebrand!

Every time I go to Hillebrand Winery I’m thrilled by the hospitality. Someone there is doing a great job teaching customer service, or simply hiring the right people. There is a feel good atmosphere running right through the place ““ from greeters right up to management. The restaurant is outstanding and beautifully located overlooking vineyards, and the courtyard feeling of the grounds invites wandering. When planning your Niagara visits be sure to include a visit to Hillebrand.

Here are a few photos taken at the recent Hillebrand Jazz Festival. A great outdoor concert with top musicians, picnicking on the grass and wines at modest prices. Ditto for the Annual Blues Festival in August. If you missed it this year mark your calendar for next.

FYI: Hillebrand is part of the Peller empire (Peller Estates, Thirty Bench and Andres) and some of their remodelled private stores (called Vineyards) are quite stunning.

Wines to Buy at LCBO
HILLEBRAND NONOAKED 08 CHARDONNAY “˜Artist Series’, VQA Niagara~  88385 $10.95
Very pretty, charming everyday wine. Sure to wow! Fantastic value.

HILLEBRAND “˜TRIUS’ 08 Riesling, VQA Niagara~  303792 $19.95
Crisp, light and refreshing. Aperitif or anytime gulper. Drier than in previous years.

HILLEBRAND 07 “˜TRIUS’ Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara~  587964 $19.95
Lively red with bright flavours and great drinkability. Good local expression.

HILLEBRAND 07 “˜TRIUS RED’, VQA Niagara 303800 $21.95 Vintages
Gutsy, rich and out to impress. A big show.

Wines to Buy at the Winery and Vineyards Stores
HILLEBRAND “˜TRIUS’ 08 White, VQA Niagara $18.95
A blend of whites including Gewurztraminer. Zesty, flavourful and crowdpleasing.

MUSCAT 08 “˜Artist Series’, VQA Niagara $11.95
Delicious Muscat perfume and flavour. Off-dry, anytime sipper ““ especially Sunday afternoons.

SAUVIGNON BLANC 08 “˜Artist Series’, VQA Niagara $11.95
Mild on flavour but loaded with zest. Great stuff to have open in the fridge.

RIESLING 08 “˜Ghost Creek Vineyard’, VQA Four Mile Creek $25.00
Steely, austere, classic dry Riesling. Only eight percent alcohol. Best aged a year or two.

HILLEBRAND 07 “˜Oliveira Vineyard Wild Ferment Chardonnay’, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $35.00
Very dry, citrussy and in the Chablis style. Elegant and understated, and therefore hard to describe. Has the mystery component that keeps bringing you back for more. Wonderful wine for a special dinner. Should be even more exciting in a year or two.