Hidden Bench

I came away from my visit to Hidden Bench more knowledgeable about Pinot Noir which is the primary varietal grown on the estate. I sampled a flight of Pinot Noir and selected the 2009 Felseck Vineyard for $48. That is more than I would ordinarily spend on a bottle unless it held something special, and this certainly did. In fact a few weeks later when I happened to be in the same neighbourhood with a friend we shared a sampling and she came home with another Pinot Noir, the 2009 Estate Pinot Noir. It is more approachable on the palate and, at $38, on the pocketbook as well.

Hidden Bench

They also produce some well constructed Chardonnay and some Reisling if that is to your taste.

The estate is not large but does offer the convenience of a patio where you can enjoy a glass of wine along with a light picnic or with a selection of artisanal cheeses from the nearby Upper Canada Cheese.
Upper Canada Cheese
905-562-9730

There’s an excellent event called Graze the Bench which is happening in the area on June 1 and 2 2013. It includes 7 wineries on the Beamsville Bench. This year you will be able to walk through the vineyards from one to the next. Each vineyard will have music and of course wine sampling. For $25 you get access to the seven vineyards as well as a full glass of wine with a food pairing.

At Hidden Bench they will share a delicious oak smoked brisket sandwhich with sweet and sour slaw and will be pairing that with their 2011 Estate Chardonnay or their 2012 Locust Lane Rose. This is not your traditional rose, it offers more resistance than you might expect.

Come! Enjoy!

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