Nova Scotia Day Three: Gaspereau Valley
L'Acadie Vineyards
The newest and first organic winery in Nova Scotia is L'Acadie Vineyards owned by former British Colombian Bruce Ewert. Bruce is making quite the impact with a number of firsts in Nova Scotian winemaking such as: the first organic winery (certified), the first Method Champenoise or Traditional Method Sparkling wine and the first Amarone style red and white wines.
The vineyards wines have won many awards already and it seems that Bruce has just started to perform. Bruce worked with the very famous wine innovator Harry McWatters who many call the Father of British Colombia Wines. He has also worked with Andres.
A Visit To Gaspereau Vineyards
Not far from Wolfville, just down the valley road and immediately to the right is Hans Christian Jost's second vineyards called Gaspereau. I have been told that he acquired it very oddly. However, knowing that Hans Christian knows what he wants and recognizes a good thing very quickly.
It seems that Hans was driving around the Gaspereau area when he spotted the present winery.
He was amazed to find that it was for sale. Looking at the magnificent south facing sloping vineyards, he very quickly went into the building and made an offer. He told his wife Karen later.
The vineyards are a fine site and produced some major wines such as the Lucy Kuhlmann, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Castel and L'Acadie Blanc.
Greg and I met winemaker Gina Haverstock. This rather bubbly personality came across as very enthusiastic and very competent. Gina certainly made sure that their personal work did not get in the way of some great wine!
Sainte Famille
Mr. and Mrs. Corkum of Sainte Famille vineyards have been making wine for over thirty years and are known for their white wines as well as their reds. Recently we tasted several blends of wines such as the white "Quartet" and a phenomenal Foch. The couple is thinking of expansion which is surprising since it comes at a time in their lives (he's 80 and she is 66) when they normally would be thinking of settling down. However, circumstances make it more of an expansion proposition. They would like to expand to about 8000 cases. This is a truly lovely couple that loves challenges and are inspired to continue on. As Mr. Corkum says, "Retire-----I find pruning the vines more relaxing than playing golf. Why should I retire!?"
Chasing Ghouls
Normal individuals do not go and look at tombstones in the evening. However, who said that Greg Rist and I are normal? The problem is that we drag our host, Christine White with us wherever we go and this occasion was not a different one! Off we went to the Burial Grounds to look at old tombstones---some of which were from the mid to late 18th Century and where those of some of the founding fathers of Wolfville!
Greg and I did silly skits which would be used for our series and poor Christine was our apprentice camera and lighting person. What this poor child endured should get her a raise of at least 100 percent. We did see Pam with her group of seven or eight British writers. She got off lucky. Poor Christine!
The newest and first organic winery in Nova Scotia is L'Acadie Vineyards owned by former British Colombian Bruce Ewert. Bruce is making quite the impact with a number of firsts in Nova Scotian winemaking such as: the first organic winery (certified), the first Method Champenoise or Traditional Method Sparkling wine and the first Amarone style red and white wines.
The vineyards wines have won many awards already and it seems that Bruce has just started to perform. Bruce worked with the very famous wine innovator Harry McWatters who many call the Father of British Colombia Wines. He has also worked with Andres.
A Visit To Gaspereau Vineyards
Not far from Wolfville, just down the valley road and immediately to the right is Hans Christian Jost's second vineyards called Gaspereau. I have been told that he acquired it very oddly. However, knowing that Hans Christian knows what he wants and recognizes a good thing very quickly.
It seems that Hans was driving around the Gaspereau area when he spotted the present winery.
He was amazed to find that it was for sale. Looking at the magnificent south facing sloping vineyards, he very quickly went into the building and made an offer. He told his wife Karen later.
The vineyards are a fine site and produced some major wines such as the Lucy Kuhlmann, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Castel and L'Acadie Blanc.
Greg and I met winemaker Gina Haverstock. This rather bubbly personality came across as very enthusiastic and very competent. Gina certainly made sure that their personal work did not get in the way of some great wine!
Sainte Famille
Mr. and Mrs. Corkum of Sainte Famille vineyards have been making wine for over thirty years and are known for their white wines as well as their reds. Recently we tasted several blends of wines such as the white "Quartet" and a phenomenal Foch. The couple is thinking of expansion which is surprising since it comes at a time in their lives (he's 80 and she is 66) when they normally would be thinking of settling down. However, circumstances make it more of an expansion proposition. They would like to expand to about 8000 cases. This is a truly lovely couple that loves challenges and are inspired to continue on. As Mr. Corkum says, "Retire-----I find pruning the vines more relaxing than playing golf. Why should I retire!?"
Chasing Ghouls
Normal individuals do not go and look at tombstones in the evening. However, who said that Greg Rist and I are normal? The problem is that we drag our host, Christine White with us wherever we go and this occasion was not a different one! Off we went to the Burial Grounds to look at old tombstones---some of which were from the mid to late 18th Century and where those of some of the founding fathers of Wolfville!
Greg and I did silly skits which would be used for our series and poor Christine was our apprentice camera and lighting person. What this poor child endured should get her a raise of at least 100 percent. We did see Pam with her group of seven or eight British writers. She got off lucky. Poor Christine!
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 2:15 PM
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