The Heart of St. Urban Vineyard

“The Heart of St. Urban Vineyard”

Exclusive 45^th Anniversary Wine Club Necklace

What makes the pristine, 40-acre parcel known as the St. Urban Vineyard, so extraordinary in the global world of wine?  The “heart” of the answer which includes St. Urban’s enviable terroir, can be argued to be its ancient limestone foundation.  Naturally, there are additional, harmonized, fine geological and environmental factors present to physically create this place of excellence, but the limestone, and its direct derivative, dolostone must be considered the “heart”, for without them the renowned St. Urban Vineyard would not exist.

Your Personal Family Connection

Being a Vineland Estates Winery wine club family member and a devotee of our wines, we felt that you may wish to fashionably display your allegiance by wearing the “Heart of St. Urban Vineyard” near your own heart with this rustic, handcrafted necklace.  It’s a stylistic, arcadian display and a wonderful conversation starter; you will speak with pride and passion about your being part of the Vineland Estates Winery wine club family.  It is important to note that this unique jewelry is handcrafted exclusively for our wine club members only.  It is also a limited production and when they are gone, they’re gone.  PLUS the piece comes with an exclusive “Legacy” benefit.

The Hand Selected, Bespoke Necklace

stone – cage - chain

Stone: Each singular stone was hand-hewn by David Hulley from the limestone rock face that directly boarders the south-end of Field F (Riesling) in the St. Urban Vineyard.  It is both the winemaker Brian Schmidt’s and David’s favourite place within the entire vineyard.  It seems like a mystical location with the massive, fractured limestone boulders showing proudly, and all with a rolling view over the lovingly tended vineyards to Lake Ontario.  One can literally feel the energy of the prominent point that symbolizes the majesty of the St. Urban Vineyard.  The “heart” of the vineyard, represented by your small chard of ancient stone is for you to carry proudly near your heart knowing it has come directly from that representational and simply otherworldly spot.

Cage: Each uncommon fragment of stone was creatively wrapped in thin, fine strands to amplify its beauty and authenticity.  Our own jeweler, Thuy envisioned and executed each unique expression and bespoke wrap.

Chain: We decided to go with stainless-steel for its durability, and for the subtle nod to our winemaking workhorses that contain the turbulent process of transforming our prime vineyard grapes into wine – our stainless-steel tanks.

Historical Splendor of the Stone

The brilliant, hard limestone which is the precursor of the adjoining and important (but lesser known) dolostone is primarily created by the accumulation of dead corals, shells and crustations on an ancient seafloor and while under pressure for eons, time compacts and cements together the loose calcium materials to form solid rock.  Most often traces of fossils and quartz get trapped in the limestone as it is being formed and give the stone its mild glitter when broken open.  It certainly is an understated elegance, but the ancient shine has depth and an internal complexity.  Our wines metaphorically mirror the stone.

Limestone and Viticultural Excellence

The importance of existing limestone/calcareous soils in world-class viticulture and wine making cannot be overstated.  Famous regions like Burgundy, Champagne, Chablis, Southern Rhone, Loir Valley, Tuscany, Paso Robles (California) plus limited parts of Spain, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and of course Ontario, often make claims about the positive influence of their specific calcareous soils on their vines and wines and that it is an important pillar of their historical greatness. 

Over vast stretches of time and while employing the scientific method, we have learned that the nature of limestone soils concerning water retention and drainage is elemental to superior grape and wine production.  There is also anecdotal evidence that these soils produce brighter wines with notable acid backbones.  The cheerful acidity makes wine more agreeable to superior and delicious food pairings.  As grape vines are excellent at penetrating deep for needed nutrients, minerals and moisture, having our limestone base deep makes the vines work harder seeking out calcium and the adjoining magnesium of the limestone/dolostone.  In the pursuit of these important elements, vines find deposits of other essential minerals.  This leads to healthier vines, superior grapes and more complex wines.

Introductory cost price Wine Club Family purchase - $45 per piece – regular retail $125