WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE?
What’s Your Favourite...?
Winemaker and CAA Member Kelly Mason shares her wine-inspired travel list and passion for Pinot Noir.
By Nicole Keen
IT’S FITTING THAT WINEMAKER Kelly Mason’s ‘The Matriarch’ Pinot Noir sells out consistently. Mason Vineyard’s devoted fans are undoubtedly responding to her small-batch wild-ferment wines, as well as the company’s strong female leadership. In a male-dominated industry, an owner/head winemaker like Mason is the exception. And despite the fact that she’s also the (award-winning) head winemaker at Niagara’s Domaine Queylus, Mason finds time to be involved in every aspect of her business, from pruning vines to leading tasting sessions.
Oregon’s Willamette Valley is home to more than 700 wineries. | PHOTOS: NICHOLAS J. KLEIN/ADOBE STOCK; COURTESY OF KELLY MASON;
Do you have a favourite varietal that you’re producing at the moment?
Pinot Noir, hands down. It’s probably the most challenging wine to make, but when you get it right, it’s also one of the most beautiful.
Are there any winemakers who inspire you?
I had the good fortune of being mentored by Thomas Bachelder. He’s the head winemaker for Le Clos Jordanne and he has his own winery called Bachelder. I get inspired by working with other winemakers, which is why I started the Collab Series at Mason Vineyard. My collab for this year is with J-L Groux, the head winemaker at Stratus.
What are you looking forward to this summer?
This is going to be my first summer [that] I’m living in my house [since buying the property in 2012] because I would always rent it out.
“I get inspired by working with other winemakers, which is why I started the Collab Series at Mason Vineyard.”
Sangiovese grapes on the vine in Montalcino, Italy; a selection of charcuterie from St. Catharines’ Fat Rabbit. | PHOTOS: ALFREDO RAVANETTI/ADOBE STOCK; COURTESY OF FAT RABBIT
What are your favourite spots in the region?
In St. Catharines, for sure check out Fat Rabbit — they're doing amazing things. It’s a butcher shop and they also have a restaurant. They do amazing cuts of meat — you can choose what you want them to grill for you. And the craziest thing is their vegetables.
You mentioned that you’re ready to start travelling again. Where are you looking forward to going?
For 13 years, I’ve been pretty much locked down with my financial commitment to the land that I own. I’m ready to take a vacation, but my interest in Pinot Noir also drives my travel plans. One place that really gets under my skin that I haven’t been to yet is Oregon. And I’ve always wanted to go to the Rhône Valley in France.
Can you describe your perfect wine-drinking scenario?
I lived in Italy for four years, so if I could, I would go to Montalcino right now and drink Brunello and eat amazing pasta. CAA
IT’S FITTING THAT WINEMAKER Kelly Mason’s ‘The Matriarch’ Pinot Noir sells out consistently. Mason Vineyard’s devoted fans are undoubtedly responding to her small-batch wild-ferment wines, as well as the company’s strong female leadership. In a male-dominated industry, an owner/head winemaker like Mason is the exception. And despite the fact that she’s also the (award-winning) head winemaker at Niagara’s Domaine Queylus, Mason finds time to be involved in every aspect of her business, from pruning vines to leading tasting sessions.
A selection of charcuterie from St. Catharines’ Fat Rabbit. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF FAT RABBIT
Sangiovese grapes on the vine in Montalcino, Italy. | PHOTO: ALFREDO RAVANETTI/ADOBE STOCK
“I get inspired by working with other winemakers, which is why I started the Collab Series at Mason Vineyard.”