Wine and Spirits
Le Clos Jordanne: A Symphony of Terroir and Tradition in Niagara
2025-08-19
Journey to the heart of Niagara's wine country, where a remarkable synergy between Old World winemaking heritage and New World innovation has blossomed. This narrative explores the evolution of Le Clos Jordanne, a pioneering estate that has redefined Canadian viticulture through its unwavering commitment to crafting world-class wines.

Unveiling Excellence: Le Clos Jordanne's Legacy in Every Bottle

The Genesis of a Visionary Collaboration

In the early 2000s, a groundbreaking alliance emerged, setting a new standard for vinicultural excellence in Canada. The conceptualization of Le Clos Jordanne in February 2000 marked the inception of an exciting venture between France's esteemed Boisset La Famille des Grands Vins and Canada's Vincor Canada, now known as Arterra Wines Canada. These prominent wine producers, spanning two continents, forged a joint agreement to cultivate vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula, united by a shared ambition: to cultivate extraordinary, globally recognized wines within this distinctive locale.

Niagara Peninsula: A Terroir Mirroring Burgundy's Soul

Situated in southern Ontario, the Niagara Peninsula provides vintners with unparalleled prospects for producing premium wines across diverse styles. Notably, the region boasts soil composition and cool-climate growing conditions remarkably akin to those found in Burgundy, France. This striking similarity paved the way for a collaborative effort between Boisset and Vincor, drawing viticulturists from France to work alongside their counterparts in Niagara. Their combined expertise, blending Old World wisdom with New World insights, was instrumental in identifying the optimal site for this ambitious undertaking.

The Flourishing of Le Clos Jordanne: From Bud to Prestige

Since its inception, Le Clos Jordanne has matured from a nascent collection of vineyards into an esteemed and exclusive winery. Thomas Bachelder assumed the role of the estate's inaugural winemaker in 2003, subsequently unveiling Le Clos Jordanne's premiere vintage, which made its international market debut in 2007. From its earliest days, Le Clos Jordanne has been singularly focused on producing ultra-premium Canadian VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines, utilizing Burgundy's iconic grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Montreal Verdict: A Global Acknowledgment

May 2009 marked a pivotal moment for Le Clos Jordanne on the international wine stage, as the 'Judgement of Montreal' tasting unfolded. The outcomes of this event catapulted the Niagara Peninsula and Le Clos Jordanne's wines into the global spotlight. Inspired by the legendary 'Judgment of Paris' of 1976, organizers orchestrated a blind tasting of 16 red and 14 white wines, predominantly from France and California, evaluated by a panel of 10 renowned wine writers and experts. Among the white wine entries, Le Clos Jordanne's 2005 Claystone Terrace Chardonnay, an unannounced 'outsider' in the blind tasting, distinguished itself by securing the top position for Chardonnay, captivating the palates of the judges.

A Relentless Pursuit of Winemaking Perfection

The caliber of Le Clos Jordanne's portfolio consistently garners recognition each year, with its wines earning scores exceeding 90 points from leading global wine critics and securing accolades at prestigious international wine competitions, including multiple Silver medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The brand is also broadening its winemaking horizons; last year witnessed the launch of Le Clos Jordanne's inaugural sparkling wine, Cremant de Jordanne, a Blanc de Noirs crafted from block #5 of the estate's vineyard. More significantly, 2023 heralded a new chapter for Le Clos Jordanne with the grand opening of its new home and first estate winery, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, nestled in the scenic Beamsville Bench region of Niagara. This strategic relocation has enabled the acquisition of new, prime vineyard plots in Beamsville, complementing its iconic namesake vineyard and other holdings in Jordan and across the Niagara Peninsula.

Burgundian Essence Through Niagara's Unique Lens

Domaine Le Clos Jordanne embodies an extraordinary vision: to meticulously blend tradition with innovation, infused with passion and expertise. The objective is to create wines that eloquently express the distinctive terroir of Niagara, while simultaneously delivering unparalleled quality among the world's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Thus, the winery endeavors to offer the most authentic and superior expression of Burgundian-style wines, interpreted through the unique characteristics of the Niagara terroir.

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