Reborn winery has London roots
Aure Winery changes its name
I often re-visit wineries to see what’s new or to try the latest vintage, but it’s not often that the winery has a new face like Aure Winery, which has been “reborn” as London Born Wine Co.
It’s still a family-run operation that sits on the Niagara Escarpment just south of Beamsville.
The players remain the same with David and Annette Hoare continuing their dream along with their children, winemaker William, vineyard and estate manager James and daughter Sarah who has taken over marketing and events.
The family moved from England in the late ’90s, landing in New Brunswick before deciding to come further inland for the warmer weather promised by Ontario.
“We (the family) were wine touring, and kind of fell in love with the idea and everything that goes with it,” said the eldest son James.
“We changed the name last August because we wanted something that was related to us a bit more.
“Everything from the labels right down to the furniture.
“We’re all London-born, that’s how we came to the name,” explained James. “Each bottle is named after a borough in London, for example, the Croydon Riesling has a story on the back of how my parents remembered that borough as they were growing up.”
With a distinctly British accent, William the winemaker says the wines are still made the same way.
“We didn’t stop doing what we were doing, just a different label.”
Their Marechal Foch still being produced from 60-year-old vines planted by the Walker family sells out every summer.
In all the family takes care of six hectares of grapes including Siegerrebe, Cabernet Franc and
Baco Noir as well as grapes they bring in from other Niagara growers.
When pressed for an indication of his style, winemaker William says if anything he would lean towards French wines, but even then, he says, that would be very loosely.
“We do Gamays, Cab francs, we don’t do appassimento.”
Even with the emphasis on their British heritage, he admits there’s no such thing as English style wine.
“But they are huge consumers of wine. One of the best places to buy wine is England, they’re not loyal to anyone, so you see a great variety from all over the world.
“We’re in Canada, we don’t have to have a style, we can adapt. It’s the benefit of being a very young wine region.
“And we are a smaller winery, we have some flexibility to say, ‘Let’s try this and see what happens.’”
And it seems to be paying off, with a gold medal for their Pinot Blanc at the Ontario Wine
Awards and several recognitions for their Gamay.
Perhaps because it has his interest, William suggests we try the White Gamay straight from the tank.
Incredible pale, with the just a hint of pink perhaps the shade of lemonade, but oh so very light.
In fact, they weren’t sure if they were to call it a rose.
Aromatic with summer fruit and hints of cranberry and cherry it has the most exciting touch of lime acidity at the end. Great for a hot day.
“Is it a rose or a white wine,” asks William rhetorically. “It is a white only because it was made as a white.
“At the end of the day, you can call it what you like as long as you drink it.”
The White Gamay will be bottled shortly and is expected to sell in the $17 range only at the winery.
“At the end of the day, you can call it what you like as long as you drink it.”
WILLIAM HOARE
winemaker