Schatz Winery: A bright beacon for the emerging wine region of Huron Shores
Within the emerging wine region of Huron Shores you’ll find Schatz Winery in Zurich, Ontario. Schatz (pronounced “shots”) means “treasure” in German, a tribute to founders Christa and Ernst who made the leap from Germany to the coastal Huron shores in 1984 to begin their dream of owning the Hessenland Inn. The Inn planted its first vines in 2015 and released the Schatz winery’s premier vintage in 2020. Both Inn and winery still remain in the Ihrig family today, creating a hospitable oasis consisting of cool-climate wines made with vitis vinifera and hybrid grapes.
The Hessenland Inn acts as a serene getaway for couples or families, equipped with a pool and gorgeous stone-walled restaurant called The Muse. It also serves as a classic wedding venue with it’s rustic charm and picturesque scenery.
The team at the winery consists of Frank Ihrig - General Manager and Co-Owner, Brandon Chaffe - Sales/Cellar, and Winemaker Derek Barnett, who’s known amongst the Ontario wine industry for his innovative and creative winemaking techniques.
The wines of Shatz winery certainly display an exciting looking glass in to the unique terroir for the emerging Huron County region. A standout, top-tier wine is their Cote Froide Chardonnay. Pioneering a “sub-appellation” title for the region, “Cote Froide” has specific requirements to be labelled as such. The criteria are:
Fruit comes from a min. 3 vineyards in Huron County
Fruit must be 100% grown within Huron County borders
No oak aging for whites, and oak program for reds must contain Huron County oak
The result of the Schatz Cote Froide Chardonnay is more reminiscent of Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay rather than any other wine style found here in Ontario. With it’s fresh, zippy, food-friendly style, including the electric acidity and blaring mineral drive, it would be no surprise if this region-specific wine style became the province’s next cult wines.
Chardonnay Cote Froide 2023
The Cote Froide wine style from Huron County promotes zero oak aging for white wines, leaving a pure, unmasked representation of the regions fruit. Graceful aromas of white flowers and oats overlay lime and grapefruit. Nervy acidity and bright citrus flavours create an upbeat, energetic palate with palpable structure as it expands with a mineral mouthfeel and continues on a succulent, persistent finish. A widely appealing, fresh and thirst-quenching style!
Schatz Vista La Crescent 2022
A single varietal wine made from La Crescent, a cool-climate hybrid variety. Inviting, fragrant aromas of fresh mandarins, pear, and starfruit. A medium-bodied palate consisting of canned peaches with razor sharp acidity. So bright, with super citrus lime notes, developing to rind and walnut edges. There’s a chalky, mineral drive to this unique wine that persists on a long finish.
Jim. The Canadian Oak Aged Frontenac Blanc 2022
A wine that was named after Dr. Jim Hedges, the barrel cooper for this Canadian oak aged Frontenac Blanc that’s grown on the estate’s west vineyard south block. Warm, oak aromas with honey and baking spices take center stage on the nose and follow through on the palate. Bold, with racy acidity that whirls around ripe pineapple, gala apple, and walnut notes, and concludes with a refreshing, white pepper finish.
Sortarosa Marquette 2022
This Huron Shores VQA rose is crafted with 100% Marquette from the estate’s east vineyard. Red cherry and red licorice aromas give notion to the bright, fun characteristics this wine possesses while underpinned dried herb and earthy notes add to the reality of depth and character here. Well knit, with a thread of vibrant acidity pierces through the palate tethering delicate intricacies that result in a long fruity, dry finish.
St. Joe’s Red
This is a tri-hybrid VQA wine that’s made up of 50% Baco Noir, 35% Marquette and 15% Marechal Foch from the E.S. Johnston Farm in the northern Huron Shores region. A captivatingly complex and intense nose of wild raspberries, sage and cedar. A light to medium bodied palate holds a delectable balance of dark red fruit and earthy tones amongst a wave of electric acidity. Savoury, yet boisterous and almost pinot-like. This wine would make a perfect pairing for pizza or tomato based pastas.
Innkeepers Reserve Petite Pearl 2020
Made with 100% Petite Pearl, a relatively new, cold-hardy hybrid to Ontario and spending almost a full three years in barrel. Hickory, blackberries and chocolate syrup notes on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with a fine whisp of tannins and bright acid structure coil around juicy red berries and black earth that continue on a long, savoury finish.