Ferox by Fabian Reis — Attraction in Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Ferox 2023 Rosé is a revelation for those who appreciate a deeper hue in their rosé wines. From the first pour, it's clear this isn't your average rosé; its dark, almost ruby color hints at the intensity and complexity within. This visual promise does not disappoint upon tasting.

Crafted by the innovative winemakers at Ferox, known for their dedication to creating unique and robust wines, this rosé stands out with its rich visual appeal. The dark color, unusual for a rosé, suggests a longer maceration time, which in turn imparts a fuller body and a more pronounced flavor profile than one might expect from its lighter counterparts.

On the palate, the 2023 Rosé does not shy away from its bold appearance. It offers a delightful array of flavors - think dark berries, a hint of spice, and a subtle earthiness that you might find in red wines, yet it retains the refreshing crispness that rosé lovers crave. This daring approach to rosé wine-making showcases Ferox's commitment to pushing boundaries while maintaining the elegance and drinkability that rosé is celebrated for.

The dark color isn't just for show; it's a testament to the wine's depth and the careful selection of grapes, which are handled with precision to extract just the right amount of color and tannin. This rosé pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, from hearty meats to rich pastas, thanks to its structure and complexity, which are beautifully highlighted by its distinctive dark hue.

In summary, the Ferox 2023 Rosé is a must-try for anyone looking to explore the richer, darker side of rosé wines. It's not just a drink but an experience, reflecting the adventurous spirit of its creators at Ferox. Here's to a rosé that dares to be different, both in color...

Ferox produces the most-focused wines I've ever enjoyed in 40 years of, well, enjoying wines! I will start with this statement because there are many good things to enjoy at Ferox, but at the end of the day, the wines are just so absolutely sublime. And I could stop here with a justified five star review! BUT, if you're lucky enough you might meet the magnificent Gianluca, assistant winemaker (and part-time entertainer, lol-just kidding!) He was passionate, interesting, relaxed, and a lot of fun. We had no reservations, but were greeted enthusiastically nonetheless! Although we opted for the standard 1 hour 4 wine sample tasting ($25), we ended up spending 4 hours here because we were so awed by the wines and Gianluca's excitement in explaining everything about what we were tasting. I'm an absolute wine nut, so I enjoy all the details like terroir, Brix, acidity, skin contact, aging times, etc. Gianluca indulged me in that information, and still kept my wife interested in nose and flavor of the different wines we enjoyed. He was even nice enough to let us go into the working areas of the winery and cellar so we could see some original wine-making equipment and a little taste of the future! This is a small place...but powerful. We were lucky to taste with no reservation. However, I recommend making one if the weather is nice. And, ask for Gianluca! Best wine-tasting experience we've had in a long time!!...

We met for a bridal stagette in Niagara-on-the-lake to golf and do wine tours. We booked The Grape Escape for a private wine tour. One of our stops was at the Rancourt Winery. I purchased $130 of wine from Rancourt, including their award-winning 2012 Cabernet Franc. Our requested purchases were put into a wine Box without us seeing the actual bottles. When we were packing to leave, we noticed one of the bottles of Cabernet Franc had NO labels on it, and another had about 4 labels all overlapping. Neither bottle was suitable to put into my wine cellar AND, we had no idea we were actually getting the wine we paid for! It would have been impossible for the staff not to note that one bottle was completely without labels, so they obviously made the decision to pawn their substandard, unsellable bottles off on unsuspecting customers. In general, we found the staff quite rude. Certainly not an experience we will ever repeat!

I emailed both Grape Escape and Rancourt. We received responses from Grape Escape. They were wonderful in their support, but this clearly wasn't their issue to resolve. We would encourage The Grape Escape to remove Rancourt from their winery stops. We did not receive any response from Rancourt, thus I have resorted to this review. I would recommend against Rancourt and if you choose to go, ensure you check your purchases...