Nyarai Cellars

About

The name Nyarai (pronounced Na-Rye) is derived from the Southern African Shona dialect meaning Humility. Our aim is to craft wines that are sourced from prime Niagara Peninsula vineyards that speak proudly of their origin. With minimal intervention during the winemaking process, our wines develop naturally; yielding a product that is true to its varietal character. The cool climate of the Niagara Peninsula along with its diverse soils offers a bounty of flavours and textures that are indicative to this wonderfully unique wine growing region.

Location Description

Located in the heart of Annan, Ontario.

Features

  • Our pride and passion, humbly yours.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

Winemaker

Nyarai Cellars winemaker, Steve Byfield, is one of a small but emerging collection of highly motivated, vintner directed, brands in Niagara. Born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario, Steve was introduced to the culture of wine during his university studies as an amateur winemaker. Fascinated by its cultural influence upon Society's perception of cuisine and drink, Steve's curious, artistic, mind was fuelled to explore further.

In the fall of 2000 Steve made his way into the wine industry as a product consultant with Southbrook Winery. The following year he was granted an opportunity to apprentice as a cellar hand for the 2001 vintage and subsequently was promoted to assistant winemaker shortly afterwards. Steve's tenure at Southbrook lasted for 5 vintages with his departure in 2006 to the Beamsville Bench Region. Here he worked as assistant winemaker with Ridgepoint Wines, Calamus Estate Winery while also holding the position of winemaker / general manager at Thomas and Vaughan Estate Winery. In 2008 Steve embarked on his own project and created Nyarai Cellars with business partner Rod Ingram.

In forging relationships with conscientious wine growers, the virtual winery model was set into motion with Nyarai's inaugural release in the spring of 2009. An unflinching commitment to quality, combining dedication to sound viticulture practices and a focus on winemaking detail, the goal of Nyarai Cellars is to convey a sense of place – The Niagara wine region.

The Team

From growing up in the countryside of Niagara-on-the-Lake, to living close to Napa and Sonoma in California, to returning to Canada to live minutes from the Beamsville Bench, Sharon's life has constantly been a part of vines and wines. In 2003, Sharon left a successful career as an ICU nurse to follow a passion in the Niagara wine industry. Her thirst for learning led her to take courses with the International Sommellier Guild, and courses in Winery Management, Sales, and Marketing at both CCOVI and Niagara College. Sharon has had the priviledge of working as a Winery Retail Manager for several award-winning wineries in Niagara, but quickly found she had a knack for Marketing.

Practices & Techniques

In creating wines that bear the Nyarai Cellars' name, careful consideration of ideal vineyard localities is paramount. The strength of individual appellations such as Niagara River, Lincoln Lakeshore and Twenty Valley Bench, were appealing to create a product of distinct character and elegance. A simplistic approach is followed during the entire winemaking process, which allows for purity-of-fruit to be the main focus.

In order to achieve this, fermentation of our white wines is conducted at low temperatures in stainless steel to retain the delicate nuances of the fruit. Once primary fermentation is completed the wines are allowed to mature on their lees for complexity and stability. Our red varietals are fermented individually in small lots where daily cap immersion (punch downs) is carried out to obtain even extraction of tannins and colour with an appropriate duration of skin contact. Subsequently, the wine is pressed off its skins and racked where they undergo malolactic conversion and then aged to perfection in French oak.

This minimalistic approach is observed during the winemaking process to ensure varietal character along with weight and balance of all resulting wines. Delicate handling of these wines, in preparation of bottling, continues the process of respect in the presentation of these inspired Niagara base wines.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

Redfoot Vineyards:

Second generation winegrower Thomas Kocsis is a veteran of the Niagara Wine Industry. Thomas along with his wife Barbara farm this 75 acre vineyard within the Lincoln Lakeshore appellation in Beamsville, Ontario. Adjacent to the southern boundary of the Beamsville Bench, Redfoot Vineyards enjoys the moderate wind drainage that migrates from the upper bench tiers. Soils found here range from light sandy soils to heavy red clay loam providing idyllic growing conditions, with rich fertile pockets capable of high water retention. Varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Viognier all benefit from generous sun exposure along with naturally induced vigour restraints as imposed by topography and soils. It’s always a pleasure working with fruit from this site.

Watson Vineyards:

Situated in the fertile growing region of Niagara-On-The-Lake, Watson Vineyards was established by John Watson in the late 1970's and is presently farmed and managed under the meticulous direction of his son Kevin and his wife Cathy. This particular location is home to some of the earliest plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Franc found in the province. Soils found on the property range from a mixture of clay and sand loam augmented with stones, making it very conducive for grape production.

Careful consideration of all vineyard operations has always been in the forefront to ensure proper vine balance and expression of fruit. My first encounter with this vineyard dates back to 2001; at that time I was impressed with the quality and purity of varietal character along with their dedication to the land. That lasting impression, and their dedication to their vineyard, continues to this day.

Awards

2012 Viognier - Bronze @ Ontario Wine Awards , 2012 Sauvignon Blanc - Bronze @ National Wine Awards

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Address

599448 Concession Road 2 N
Annan, Ontario N0H 1B0
Canada

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