Element Winery Can't Stop/Won't Stop, Finger Lakes AVA

If you are looking for a long weekend getaway, drive three hours south from Toronto until you arrive in the Finger Lakes district of upstate New York. Despite what you may have heard, the primary attraction is not the pretty scenery; the area is slowly being discovered for its capacity to grow outstanding terroir-driven wine.

The Finger Lakes are eleven long and narrow lakes formed by receding glaciers during the last ice age. The lakes create a unique microclimate by moderating the extreme winter and summer temperatures. Because the lakes are so deep (the deepest is over 180 metres deep) they never freeze over. Throughout the winter they slowly release the heat absorbed during the summer, protecting the vines. Their steep slopes also provide good drainage, air circulation, and sun exposure, while reducing the risk of frost.

It is in this harsh environment that in 2009 Master Sommelier Christopher Bates chose to plant his roots and make wine at the winery he aptly named Element. At Element, he is crafting world-class wines that showcase the extreme climate and terroir of the region.

His Can’t Stop/Won’t Stop is a unique blend of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Gamay, Merlot, and a touch of Blaufrankisch. It is a complex wine with intense notes of sour cherry, cinnamon, and herbs, with a generous finish. Find it at Osteria Rialto at 1006a Bloor St W, Toronto.