February MW Subscription Is Here

February 6, 2026

Hey Everyone,

It’s Marty!

Winter always sneaks up on me in the best way. When the vineyard slows down, the cellar gets quieter, and the focus shifts a little more toward the table. Fewer moving parts, means more time to sit, pour a glass, and actually enjoy it.

Before we get into the wines, I just want to say thank you.

December’s Shed closing party was a great reminder of why we do this. Seeing people reconnect and take the time to come out during a busy season meant a lot.

I’m also incredibly grateful to you, our wine subscription members.

Winter is the slow season here, and your support genuinely helps carry us through these months and gives us the space to keep doing things the right way.

Boxes (and online orders) are ready for pickup every Saturday between 10–4 at the Northern Wine Merchants office located right by the Shed. When you pull into the parking lot, it’s the first door on your left, closest to the road.

Now, let’s get into it.

🌴 2024 Viognier – A tropical hit in the midde of the winter

Viognier has been on my radar for a long time.

Back in the early 2000s, I tasted some Niagara Viogniers from the Diamond group that really stuck with me. Enough that I kept thinking, why don’t we try planting this ourselves and see what it does here.

Our Lakeshore Road site turned out to be a great fit.

Viognier is a more tropical variety by nature, and I find it performs really well here. It's a little more subtle, a little less "soapy", and leaning into that tropical-floral side in a way I really enjoy.

What excites me most about this wine is its balance. You get the floral and tropical notes, but it stays lean and focused all the way through. We’re able to ripen it quite high, which brings a bit more potential alcohol and opens the door to aging.

Seeing how Niagara Viognier evolves over five to seven years is something I’m genuinely curious about and this wine feels like the start of that experiment.

Note that this is the last of the 2024 Viognier. We will be bottling the next vintage over the next few weeks. So stay tuned!

🍷 2023 Cabernet: A study in balance

This one was a bit of a grind and a good reminder that patience pays off.

The 2023 season made it tough to get Cabernet fully ripe, but tasting this now really makes it feel worth it. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings darker fruit and depth, while the Cabernet Franc adds red fruit, lift, and freshness.

Together, they’re starting to really find their footing.

Cabernet Franc will always be a core variety for MW Cellars, but Cabernet Sauvignon plays an important role as we think more about ageability and longevity. This wine is part of that learning curve.

Not quite the full Bordeaux blend yet, but an important step in figuring out where Cabernet Sauvignon fits into Niagara and into our lineup.

🍷 2024 Syrah: Spring notes

This Syrah always makes me think of spring, even in the middle of winter.

There’s a floral quality on the nose that immediately tells me it’s going to be great with food. It’s lighter in style, but there’s still plenty of length on the finish.

This is also the only wine in our lineup that sees American oak, and you’ll definitely notice that influence. Cedar, pencil shavings, and a subtle woodiness that pairs really nicely with Niagara Syrah’s natural florality.

Working with American barrels has been a fun way to change up the tools and learn how different coopers shape the wine in the glass.

Recap: Why These Wines?

This box is really about bringing a little warmth to these long winter evenings.

The Viognier offers a moment of escape with tropical notes that feel like a bit of sun when the days are short.

The Cabernet blend brings depth and patience, that rewards slowing down and letting dinner stretch a little longer.

The Syrah keeps things easy and food-friendly, lighter on its feet but still generous through the finish. Reminding us that spring is just around the corner.

If you’re wondering what I’m personally reaching for on a cold February night, it’s the 2021 Cabernet Franc. If you’ve got one tucked away, now’s the time. (I'm on my last case personally). A close second is the LOF 2021.

Food-wise? Perogies with bacon and onion, hands down. Even better with a glass of Chardonnay.

Whether you’re picking up your box or opening it at home, I’d love to hear what you’re drinking and what’s on the table.

Reply to this email or tag us! I always enjoy seeing where these bottles end up.

Cheers,

Marty

P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for day-to-day updates, harvest photos, and more! We have some fun stuff coming your way!

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