Noble Ridge lauds noble patrons

Photo: Leslie and Jim D'Andrea

Jim and Leslie D’Andrea, the owners of Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery, have launched two wines under what is called the “Be Noble” program.

It flatters some of their best customers while, at the same time, underlining how those individuals have embraced good causes. The customers are rewarded by having their surnames on the labels of some very good wines.

The winery explains the program thus:

“During our strategic planning session this past December, the Noble Ridge Management Team reviewed … what was important for Noble Ridge’s overall objectives and mission statement. While financial success was obvious, we also saw that ‘being noble’ continued to be a very strong motivator and key to our overall culture and strategy.

“As the discussion continued, we realized that we truly those valued those who not only espoused being noble but also acted on it. As a result, we instituted our NOBLE CAUSES whereby Noble Ridge staff will pick a few charities to support annually. A portion of our tasting fees are given to these charities …

“We also realized that there are people who have become our advocates, displaying the exact qualities of nobility that we were aspiring to achieve for ourselves.”

The first two Noble Knights (and Dame) are honored with special wines that are available just to the wine club and in the tasting room.

A 2017 Chardonnay honours Richard Powers.

“Richard is constantly buying and promoting [our] wine to his friends, business associates and family.” An associate professor the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business, he helped expand the Noble Ridge wine club in Ontario. He also is frequent volunteer on numerous committees, including the Canadian Commonwealth Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Rugby Canada.

The other inaugural honorees are Jim and Pam Stone, both practising physicians. The winery says that “both have made significant professional and volunteer contributions in each of their fields, cardiology and pediatrics respectively.” They have also given time and support at the winery and have promoted Noble Ridge wines to their friends.

“We are truly blessed to be associated with such Noble People,” the winery says. “We are going to add new Noble Knights and Dames in the future.”

Here are my notes on the wines.  

Noble Ridge 2017 Noble Knights Powers Vintage Chardonnay ($38.99 for 94 cases). This is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It begins with aromas of butterscotch and caramel. These notes are echoed on the rich flavour palate, along with citrus and stone fruit flavours.  The finish lingers. 90.

Noble Ridge 2017 Noble Knights Stone Vintage Cabernet ($38.99 for 531 cases). The blend is 51% Cabernet Franc and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was aged 16 months in French and American barrels (20% new).  The wine begins with aromas of cassis, sage, plum and cherry. On the palate, it delivers flavours of cherry and black currant mingled with blackberry and blueberry. The tannins are ripe but firm and the finish is long. 92.