Hundertmark recently found himself looking for a pet project.
For the last three years, Hundertmark has gained loads of experience working with robust red grape varieties, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, during his time as head winemaker at Marynissen Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
But Hundertmark wanted another challenge: Working with the fickle, hard-to-grow Pinot Noir grape, which Marynissen does not produce.
Also, he wanted a taste of what it was like to run his own winery. Problem is, it takes a lot of start-up cash for equipment, buildings, etc., to open a full-fledged winery.
So when friend and grape grower Steve Murdza offered up his 3.5 acres of Pinot Noir grapes ffrom his St. Davids vineyard, Hundertmark jumped at the chance.
The first Pinot Noir grapes for Hundertmark's burgeoning "virtual winery" were picked earlier this month. This makes Hundertmark the latest in a string of talented winemakers who have started up their own line of wines under the licence or umbrella of an existing winery. Think Steve Byfield, who makes vino under the brand Nyarai Cellars, a virtual winery run out of Calamus Estate Winery in Jordan. Or Charles Baker, marketing and sales director at Stratus, who has sold his Riesling-focused wine line under his own label for several years.
Hundertmark plans to call his virtual label 100 Marks and sell the majority of his product through a yet-to-be-created website.
"I can't afford to have a winery," said Hundertmark, who is running the new venture with wife, Kimberly, "I can't afford to buy the equipment necessary.
"I looked at (virtual wineries) as giving me something of a chance to explore something I don't do in my regular job."
Murdza, who is partnering with Hundertmark, said he supports the idea of virtual wineries and thinks it's a great way of getting the word out about Niagara's viticultural area.
"I think it also gives winemakers a little more prestige as well as the winery they're usually at," Murdza said.
Murdza said his Line 9 property in St. Davids is an ideal site to grow Pinot Noir grapes. Fruit ripens a little earlier in this wine appellation, and grapes are able to hang on the vine a little longer for maximum ripeness and flavour, he said.
"I think it's a great Pinot," Murdza said.
"I think it's really earthy, but it also has that much richer, deeper colour in that black heavy clay."
Hundertmark said the new virtual winery venture gives him a chance to work with grapes from a different part of the region and with a variety that he loves.
"It was a challenge. That's the way I look at it -- it's a challenge."
Hundertmark said he plans to produce about 3,000 bottles or 250 cases of wine from the spectacular 2010 vintage. The wine won't be available for about a year and a half.
For more information on 100 Marks, go to Facebook and search for the fan page.
In other vines and wine news:
Tawse Winery has been named Canada's winery of the year by Wine Access Magazine.
The Vineland winery is the first Ontario vintner to be given the distinction during the 10 years the magazine has run the Canadian Wine Awards.
To earn the top honor, Tawse scooped up 18 medals at the competition, including five gold medals for its 2008 Robyn's Block Chardonnay; 2008 Quarry Road Chardonnay; 2008 Wismer Lakeview Vineyard Riesling; 2009 Riesling and 2008 Lauritzen Pinot Noir. A panel of wine experts judges submitted wines through blind tastings
by the standard-By MONIQUE BEECH
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Winemaker set to leave mark on Niagara
8:21 PM
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