Day Five Cont'd: Bear River Winery
Bear River Winery
Bear River Winey has a historic significance since it is situated in the same area where the first grapes in Nova Scotia (and possibly Canada) were planted in 1611. Obviously the grapes did not completely survive but I would guess that many crosses occurred between the viniferas and the native grapes before the viniferas succumbed to the elements.
Chris and Peggy Hawes have kept up this experimentation with an environmentally friendly winery that has "a gravity system" constructed in its 19th Century barn.
The spacious red barn complete with an en suite for guests is situated near a gorgeous southern sloping vineyard that has well drained gravelly soil.
Grape types grown are Baco Noir, Pinot Noir, Lucy Kuhlmann, Marechal Foch, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Green Machine
Chris is quite proud of his "Gravity Fed Wine System" which cuts out the need for pumping wine to locations for fermentation and racking. However he also uses Solar power to produce energy and makes bio diesel fuel to run a generator in case of power outage. In his greenhouse he has a mature fig tree producing some very delicious looking figs. Outside in his garden he and Peggy grow vegetables. But, it is his wine that is his true pleasure.
Wine
The Hawes produce wines with some very interesting names. Here are a few:
Greater Yellow Legs Chardonnay, Meguma Terrane Riesling, Isosceles (A blend of Marechal Foch, Baco Noir and this year its Pinot Noir though next it may be a Lucy Kuhlmann), Black Fly (Pinot Noir) and Red Eft (a Pinot Noir Rose). Chris does produce a Gamay Noir but this year it's sold out!
Tasting Cellar
The tasting cellar located deep under the winery proper is truly superb. It is constructed from the actual barn wall as a background with a perfect humidity and temperature for aging wines. In fact, part of Chris's decorative wall is the large number of bottles stacked carefully on top of each other to produce a rather fine looking display. The bottles are so arranged that one in the middle can be extracted without collapsing the group.
The tasting room is well arranged with a large dining table suitable for mass tastings and/or wine matching meals.
Greg, Christine and I enjoyed our visit to this picturesque vineyard and I certainly look forward to coming here again in the future.
Bear River Winey has a historic significance since it is situated in the same area where the first grapes in Nova Scotia (and possibly Canada) were planted in 1611. Obviously the grapes did not completely survive but I would guess that many crosses occurred between the viniferas and the native grapes before the viniferas succumbed to the elements.
Chris and Peggy Hawes have kept up this experimentation with an environmentally friendly winery that has "a gravity system" constructed in its 19th Century barn.
The spacious red barn complete with an en suite for guests is situated near a gorgeous southern sloping vineyard that has well drained gravelly soil.
Grape types grown are Baco Noir, Pinot Noir, Lucy Kuhlmann, Marechal Foch, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Green Machine
Chris is quite proud of his "Gravity Fed Wine System" which cuts out the need for pumping wine to locations for fermentation and racking. However he also uses Solar power to produce energy and makes bio diesel fuel to run a generator in case of power outage. In his greenhouse he has a mature fig tree producing some very delicious looking figs. Outside in his garden he and Peggy grow vegetables. But, it is his wine that is his true pleasure.
Wine
The Hawes produce wines with some very interesting names. Here are a few:
Greater Yellow Legs Chardonnay, Meguma Terrane Riesling, Isosceles (A blend of Marechal Foch, Baco Noir and this year its Pinot Noir though next it may be a Lucy Kuhlmann), Black Fly (Pinot Noir) and Red Eft (a Pinot Noir Rose). Chris does produce a Gamay Noir but this year it's sold out!
Tasting Cellar
The tasting cellar located deep under the winery proper is truly superb. It is constructed from the actual barn wall as a background with a perfect humidity and temperature for aging wines. In fact, part of Chris's decorative wall is the large number of bottles stacked carefully on top of each other to produce a rather fine looking display. The bottles are so arranged that one in the middle can be extracted without collapsing the group.
The tasting room is well arranged with a large dining table suitable for mass tastings and/or wine matching meals.
Greg, Christine and I enjoyed our visit to this picturesque vineyard and I certainly look forward to coming here again in the future.
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 1:40 PM
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