{"title":"The Long Way Home","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-long-way-home-2023-chardonnay","title":"The Long Way Home 2023 Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Long Way Home 2023 is a classic expression of Chardonnay grown in the cool climate of the Beamsville Bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade from a select vineyards with minimal intervention, whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented and aged for 10 months in French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine shows fresh aromatics, balanced natural acidity and a fine, flinty texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTECHINCAL SPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVintage: 2023 Variety: Chardonnay Appellation: VQA Beamsville Bench Vineyard: Select vineyards, sustainably certified Picking Date: October 24th, 2023 Alcohol: 12.5% Residual Sugar: 0.8g\/L pH: 3.40 TA: 6.2g\/L Production: 160 cases Fermentation: 100% whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented Oak: 10 months in French Oak, 14% new Bottling Date: December 10th, 2024\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAppearance: Green tinged straw coloured Nose: Perfumed, Citrus: lemon and lime, Orchard fruit: pear and green apple Palate: Ripe Pear, fresh acidity, lemon zest, flinty, medium bodied, light toast Finish: Balanced, structured, layered, fine texture, lingering, flinty finish Cellaring: 5-7 years Serving Temperature: 12°C Food Pairing: Creamy lemon risotto; Fire roasted late season vegetables; Grilled trout, Seared scallops; Chanterelles, Poached pears, Cheesecake with gooseberries\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheese Pairing: Aged cheddar, Brie, Gouda\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINTAGE CONDITIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mild winter of 2022\/2023 was followed by warm weather in the spring, leading to earlier than usual budbreak. Summer had variable conditions, with heatwaves and intermittent rainfall, which lead to increased and sustained disease pressure in the canopies. Timely leaf removal and other canopy management practices were crucial and only through vigilant management were grapes able to reach optimal physiological ripeness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFortunately harvest conditions were favourable, with warm, sunny days and minimal precipitation. Chardonnay fared especially well, retaining good acidity without accumulating excessive sugars, leading to balanced, elegant, fruit forward wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE LONG WAY HOME\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Long Way Home is a lifelong aspiration, a culmination of everything learned and years of experience making wines from unique and off the beaten path vineyards all over the world. It tells the story of leaving behind the known and putting down new roots. It is also a story of coming full circle, of strengthening old bonds and new friends who became close friends and making this wine come to life – Marlize Beyers, Winemaker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHY CHARDONNAY?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChardonnay is grown in many regions around the world due to its versatility in style and adaptability to various climates, but its true character can only shine in the right terroir. The Beamsville Bench sub-appellation is one of those, with the soils a mix of gravel, sand, silt, and clay layered in dolomitic limestone, the result of continuous erosion of the Niagara Escarpment and years of glacial activity. In the cool climate of the Bench, Chardonnay`s potential for greatness shows, resulting in elegant wines with fresh natural acidity and intense aromatic expression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Niagara Custom Crush Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51262620041490,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/6284\/4434\/files\/7BottleShot_40.png?v=1761852403"},{"product_id":"the-long-way-home-2023-riesling-presale-avialable-now","title":"The Long Way Home 2024 Riesling","description":"\u003cp\u003eHarvested October 2, 2024 • Bottled August 5, 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inaugural vintage of this Riesling opens with a perfumed nose of white florals, citrus zest, and ripe stone fruit. The palate delivers lively notes of grapefruit, green apple, and lemon rind, lifted by bright, crunchy acidity. Subtle flinty minerality and a gentle hint of toast add depth to its light-to-medium body. The finish is finely structured and delicately balanced, showing refreshing acidity and a silky texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with seared scallops in lemon butter sauce, creamy Délice de Bourgogne, fresh oysters, or lemon meringue pie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 70 cases produced. Barrel-fermented and aged for 10 months in neutral French oak. 100% whole-bunch pressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE LONG WAY HOME\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Long Way Home is a lifelong aspiration, a culmination of everything learned and years of experience making wines from unique and off the beaten path vineyards all over the world. It tells the story of leaving behind the known and putting down new roots. It is also a story of coming full circle, of strengthening old bonds and new friends who became close friends and making this wine come to life – Marlize Beyers, Winemaker\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Niagara Custom Crush Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51693614465298,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/6284\/4434\/files\/7BottleShot_41.png?v=1761852857"},{"product_id":"the-long-way-home-2024-pinot-noir-presale-avialable-now","title":"The Long Way Home 2024 Pinot Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINTAGE: 2024\u003cbr\u003eVARIETY: Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eAPPELATION: VQA Beamsville Bench\u003cbr\u003eVINEYARD: Select vineyards on the Beamsville Bench\u003cbr\u003ePICKING DATE: September 20th, 2024\u003cbr\u003eALCOHOL: 12.0%\u003cbr\u003eRESIDUAL SUGAR: 1.2g\/L\u003cbr\u003epH: 3.60\u003cbr\u003eTA: 5.8g\/L\u003cbr\u003ePRODUCTION: 140 cases\u003cbr\u003eFERMENTATION: 12 days on skins, natural ferment\u003cbr\u003eOAK: 10 months in French Oak, 17% 2nd fill, 83% neutral\u003cbr\u003eUNFINED, UNFILTERED\u003cbr\u003eBOTTLING DATE: August 5th, 2025\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine presents a pale ruby red hue in the glass, with perfumed, floral aroma layered with notes of dried guava roll, red berries, and subtle earthy tones. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied, showcasing fresh red raspberry and sour cherry with a touch of light toast. The finish is delicately structured, offering balanced acidity, fine tannins, and an elegant, refined close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINTAGE CONDITIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 growing season set out with a mild winter and no spring frost events, preceding a warmer than average Spring. Warm temperatures continued well into Summer, with no significant diurnal shift, meaning only a small difference between the maximum daytime temperatures and the minimum nighttime temperatures. Conditions for harvest were favourably warm and dry, despite disease pressure due to humidity from heavy rain events. White varieties like Chardonnay and Riesling ripened well, showing intense fruit character, while reds like Pinot Noir shows bright fruit and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE LONG WAY HOME\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Long Way Home is a lifelong aspiration, a culmination of everything learned and years of experience making wines from unique and off the beaten path vineyards all over the world. It tells the story of leaving behind the known and putting down new roots. It is also a story of coming full circle, of strengthening old bonds and new friends who became close friends and making this wine come to life – Marlize Beyers, Winemaker\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHY PINOT NOIR?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinot Noir is the holy grail of varieties. Notoriously tough to grow, it will reward those who show persistence and patience. Most winemakers wait their entire lives to make one, great Pinot and yet, the best expressions inspire us to strive for a lifetime. Pinot likes cool climates, but not too cold or the vines will shut down; warm, but too much sun and heat and the aromatics will be cooked and uninspiring; thin skinned and prone to all known diseases of the grapevine, finicky in the cellar, blunted by intervention and oak, Pinot demands your full attention. Growing Pinot in the well-drained, limestone-rich soils of the Beamsville Bench, the challenge will remain a lifetime pursuit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Niagara Custom Crush Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51693641007378,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/6284\/4434\/files\/7BottleShot_42.png?v=1761852893"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/6284\/4434\/collections\/LTW_Banner.png?v=1707598802","url":"https:\/\/www.thecrushonking.com\/collections\/the-long-way-home.oembed","provider":"Niagara Custom Crush Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}