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Barnett chose to work with Chardonnay, developing a reputation as premium plots as well.
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc for his first Two winemakers who have always been focused
vintage, with grapes sourced from the Lincoln on representing these premium vineyard locations
Lakeshore sub-appellation in the Niagara Peninsula. within the Niagara region are Kevin Panagapka and
His focus is on producing approachable, textural Thomas Bachelder. Both winemakers work with the
wines made with premium vinifera and that pair best local grapes from the region’s best single-vine-
well with food. Since releasing his inaugural vin- yard sites and both have chosen to go virtual but in
tage, Barnett has gone on to produce everything very different ways.
from Syrah and Pinot Noir, to sparkling Muscat and
Fume Blanc. Working virtually allows him the free- For Panagapka, the decision to go virtual gave
dom and flexibility to produce a variety of styles of him flexibility. When he first started producing
wine and source grapes from multiple locations. wine under his 2027 label it was as a sub-brand
of a host winery. Panagapka was able to use their
Meldville wine can be found in restaurants around space to produce his own wine and sell his wine
Ontario and are even offered on tap at Ruffino’s in their retail store without having to take on too
Pasta Bar and Grill in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Barnett much financial risk himself. Instead, he put his
also sells his wine through his own website; meld- money into purchasing premium grapes from the
villewines.com. He continues to develop his brand Featherstone vineyard in the Twenty Mile Bench
and his reputation as a world-class winemaker with sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula to pro-
the continued success of Meldville Wines. duce 2027’s first release; the 2007 Featherstone
Riesling.
Reputation goes a long way in such a small wine
growing region and just as certain winemakers As Panagapka continued to produce exquisite
are renowned in the area, certain vineyards are wine from top-quality fruit, he started to gain a fol-
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