Refreshing, consistent, fleshy. The Heiss family was the first to plant Pinot Gris in Canada and it continues to be a signature wine for them. In fact, the name of their 30-year-old winery comes from the Austrian and Hungarian name for the variety, Grauar Monch, which translates to Gray Monk.
Out of the glass, it delivers Asian pears, honey, pink grapefruit, smoke and orange blossom aromas. Tangy and refreshing yet fleshy and concentrated, it is a consistently tasty white with a long zesty finish.
Pair: toasted chicken salad sandwich, spicy crab cakes, coconut curry, mushroom ravioli or grilled white fish.

©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 22nd, 2016

Fresh, juicy, approachable.
A fresh and approachable Pinot, the Gray Monk version doles out sweet cherry and raspberry aromas layered with carrot tops, forest floor, star anise, violets, and vanilla aromas. Following suit, the palate provides sweet red fruits an spice with tealeaf and cedar undertones. A juicy wine.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 3rd, 2023

Juicy, sweet, fun.
Lake Country's pioneering residents Gray Monk have just released their 2020 rose, a kitchen sink blend of: Cabernet Franc (36%) Merlot (29%), Rotberger (13%), (Gamay Noir (9%), Pinot Noir (8%) and Pinot Meunier (5%). The juice had between 5 to 15 hours of grape skin contact to develop a this pale coral pink shade.
Sweet raspberries and cherries are spun with vanilla and candied citrus peel and doused with warm honey. The palate is juicy, pristine and definitely leans sweeter; a mouthful of summer berry flavours coats the mouth. It's slick, fun and approachable.
Suggested pairings include: Margherita pizza, Tapas, Greek salads, crab cakes; baked salmon, gazpacho, cheese and charcuterie, pork tenderloin with rhubarb sauce, chicken tagine, turkey with cranberry sauce or feta bruschetta.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 4th, 2021

Juicy, sweet, fun.
Lake Country's pioneering Gray Monk (now owned by Andrew Peller) has recently released their 2021 Rose, which as usual is blends Rotberger and Gamay. It is a dusty salmon pink hue with notes of maraschino cherries, strawberry jellies, orange blossoms and earth. The palate is sweet and juicy with notes of candied pear, orange segments, sweet cherries and honey with a hint of cedar. Approachable and fun.
Suggested pairings include: Margherita pizza, Tapas, Greek salads, crab cakes; baked salmon, gazpacho, cheese and charcuterie, pork tenderloin with rhubarb sauce, chicken tagine, turkey with cranberry sauce or feta bruschetta.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 1st, 2022

A single vineyard Chardonnay made from vines grown in higher altitude Eden Valley at 550 meters above sea level and the lower Barossa Valley. It spent 12 months in French oak barrel and was made using indigenous yeasts.
It has a leesy nose with lemon meringue, spiced butter, a hint of caramel and pineapple with loads of honeysuckle. The palate is buttery, creamy and concentrated. Sweet spice and citrus are present with marzipan on the finish. Delicious, elegant and vibrant with wonderful length.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 22nd, 2013