(December 9, 2013; Sebastopol, CA)—Stratus Vineyards, one of Canada’s first LEED-certified wineries, has appointed Paul Hobbs Imports as its United States importer. Paul Hobbs’ relationship with Stratus began in 2009, when he became the winery’s viticultural and winemaking consultant. Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, this is the first winery to be added to the Paul Hobbs Imports portfolio that extends beyond South America.
“We are thrilled to make Stratus Vineyards a part of Paul Hobbs Imports,” says Paul Hobbs Imports General Manager Serge Lozach. “The team at Stratus has built something unique, and we’re proud to contribute to their success in the US marketplace.”
Established in 2005, Stratus Vineyards spans a 62-acre estate on a warm, dry part of the Niagara Peninsula, with 18 varietals planted across 43 small lot blocks. This complex layout is due to the estate’s limestone foundation, with layers of mineral-rich earth that form a clay-loam mosaic. Such diversity enables winemaker Jean-Laurent “J-L” Groux to create assemblages—blends made from each vintage’s best combination of grapes with variations in varietal and quantity amounts. The winery’s flagship 2009 Stratus White (SRP $30) and 2009 Stratus Red (SRP $30) are both currently available in the US market.
Entirely hand-picked white varietals include Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Viognier, and Marsanne, while Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Tannat, and Tempranillo make up the estate’s red varietals. In addition to the assemblage wines, Paul Hobbs Imports sourced the 2009 Stratus Cabernet Franc (SRP $35) and the 2008 Stratus Icewine (SRP $70).
The LEED-certified winery boasts 24 wells drilled to a depth of 230 feet. Water sourced from these wells is circulated throughout the building, supplying all of its heating and cooling needs.
About Paul Hobbs Imports
Paul Hobbs Imports was founded in 1994 and is a division of Paul Hobbs Wines. PHI was the first importer to successfully import Argentine Malbec to the US. Focused on quality and innovation, PHI currently imports the Felino, Bramare and Cobos wines of Hobbs’ own Argentine winery, Viña Cobos, as well as other Argentine and Chilean wines of distinction such as Pulenta Estate, La Flor, Riglos “Finca Las Divas,” Finca 8, Alto Limay and Viña Perez Cruz.
