Southbrook Vineyards proudly introduced Poetica, its limited edition wines featuring labels inspired by the work of Canadian poets, in 2008. The debut of Poetica marked the first time a Canadian winery displayed the “art of words” on its bottle labels in a specially-designed artist series that showcases poetry.

With the addition of two new wines in 2009, there are now eleven wines that comprise the Poetica family and feature the winery’s flagship varieties of Cabernet Merlot and Chardonnay. Poetica wines are limited edition and numbered, and feature outstanding vintages from 1998 to 2007. “We believe these grape varieties demonstrate what we love about the terroir of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” owner Bill Redelmeier says. “In showcasing older wines that go back more than a decade, Southbrook is celebrating Niagara’s ability to produce ageable wines.”

Love in a Bottle

Poetica was inspired by a love story. A love of wine, and the dream of one couple, Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier, to create a beautiful vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake and build Canada's first LEED Gold winery project with a Jack Diamond-designed hospitality building that meets the highest environmental standards. Southbrook is also the first winery in Canada to receive Demeter certification for their biodynamic vineyard and winery.

Working with the Southbrook team on the challenge of designing the new iconography and wine labels for Southbrook was Toronto-based graphic designer Laura Wills of Messenger. In seeking to express Southbrook’s philosophy that great wine is made through careful respect for the vine and the earth, Wills wanted to capture the sensuous character of these wines and created an artist series showcasing Canadian poets – and called it Poetica.

Laura Wills undertook an intensive study of Canadian poetry, looking for works that reinforced Southbrook’s primary values: a deep connection to the earth -- and to the senses. The poets chosen for Poetica form a distinguished and accomplished group from different eras in Canadian history and from different regions across the country. Discover the poets here.

Moving forward with Poetica

Southbrook will continue the Poetica series in the future, as part of its ongoing commitment to support the arts in Canada. Only Cabernet Merlot and Chardonnay wines with outstanding characteristics will be selected for release under the Poetica label. The poet(s) for the 2008 vintage will be announced next year.

Poetica for the People

All Poetica wines are limited edition and available for purchase through the winery. Select vintages are also available to customers in the United States through www.canadianwineshop.com, and to Ontario customers through www.winerytohome.

Click here to find out more about availability and how to order.
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