Maenad Wine Co. 2021 Skin Fermented Chardonnay

Maenads, the female followers of Dionysus were known for their "wild" behaviour, defying the expected role of women. Our creations follow their muse: crafty, non-conformist, interesting and wildly delicious.

Winemaker Yvonne Irvine co-owns Maenad Wine Co. with her husband James Wallace. It's a project to make some interesting wines on our own terms. The brand is made to celebrate women - as they are, completely unfixed and unfiltered.

Chardonnay was harvested by hand from he Niagara College Teaching Vineyard. It was de-stemmed, without crushing, to bin where it fermented for 21 days on the skins with Wilde, ambient yeast. Gentle pressing to extract the wine. Aged in neutral French oak barrels (with a small amount done in stainless steel), where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The final wine is meant to be a play on textures. Some structure and tannin from the skin ferment balanced by a soft creaminess and roundness.

No sulphites were added.