Stratus Vineyards

About Stratus Vineyards

The Stratus winery, like our signature assemblage wines, is a composition – a whole greater than the sum of its parts. On their own, the individual elements are distinctly unique – a diversely planted vineyard with unusually rich soil; a sustainable facility that unites tradition and science to serve the winemaker's art; and a retail gallery with adjoining tasting rooms that are both chic and welcoming. Working together, they create wines and experiences that are truly memorable.

Representative Biography

Dean Stoyka, Assistant Winemaker

Since joining Stratus in 2010, Dean’s oenology diploma and drive to understand all things ‘wine’ have allowed him to span roles at Stratus including retail sales, lab technician and winemaking supervisor. In 2015, Dean’s passion for the farm reached fruition as he evolved into Stratus’ Vineyard Manager. And now as Assistant Winemaker, Dean continues to further Stratus’ precision viticulture and sustainable practice.

Dean was born and raised in Niagara and was first exposed to wine through his father’s 40-year career at Vincor / Constellation.

Why We're Cool

We have 1 block of Chardonnay that is nearing 25 years and shared between two clones - #96 and #548. While we employ classic Burgundian approaches to winegrowing and vinification for our Chardonnay, we seek to express Niagara authenticity.

We hand-pick at yields averaging 2 to 2.5 tonnes per acre in late September or early October and whole cluster press into barrel where the juice undergoes ‘natural’ fermentation based on indigenous yeasts. From here, we age in a combination of new, second-fill and neutral barrels and ultimately create an assemblage of these small lots to release as Stratus Chardonnay.