Browsing Tag

estate grown

Meet our Wineries: The Grange of Prince Edward

Maggie Belcastro & Andrew Mackenzie

Maggie Belcastro (Grange Winery) & Andrew Mackenzie

Guest blog by Hannah Stein

The Grange of Prince Edward is a family-run winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Now with the help of her daughter Maggie, Caroline Granger has spent the last 15 years discovering the great potential of this unique region. The Grange grows 6 varietals on a 60-acre vineyard; with chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling, gamay, pinot noir, and cabernet franc. The winery produces only 100% estate grown and made wines to reflect the region and its distinct style.

We spoke to Maggie Belcastro, winemaker & daughter of owner Caroline Granger, about what their winery, Grange of Prince Edward, has to offer…

What sets your winery apart from others?

The setting… The Grange winery is housed in a historical c.1826 barn on a beautiful estate. Our wines are also unique. Our production is 100% estate grown and made; there are no vineyards quite like ours and the wines we produce are unique because of this. We love ‘terroir’ at the Grange!

Which of your wines is your personal favourite and why?

Gamay is a favourite around here because it’s unique, versatile, food-friendly and all around a fun style of wine to drink. Sip it chilled in the summer and you are good to go.

What should people most look forward to when visiting your winery during this year’s Terroir Run?

Because we are a water-station, Terroir Run guests don’t get to see much of the winery as they run past so we wanted to offer guests a chance to stop by, explore the property and taste our wines. That’s why, on Friday May 27th at 4:00pm, we invite any and all Terroir Run participants who are already in the County to join us for a private tour and guided tasting. We will walk the vineyards, explore the winery and barrel cellar, and taste a few of our best estate grown and made wines.

Meet our wineries: The Old Third Vineyard

Jans and Bruno from The Old Third

Jans and Bruno from The Old Third

Guest blog by Hannah Stein

In 2004, partners Jens Korberg & Bruno Francois decided to start looking for a property to plant a vineyard. Excited by the possibilities in Prince Edward County, they started to make a number of trips there and quickly fell in love with its history and beautiful countryside. They finally found a small property that was 90% plantable; the soil, drainage, heat and steep southern exposure gave it great potential to make fantastic Pinot Noir. The Old Third is farmed using a reasoned approach to organic viticulture, the goal being to reduce as much as possible the chemicals applied to the land, as to maximize its health. They believe that the finest wines are made with this philosophy. Taking its name from the original term for the area, The Old Third Vineyard is situated on Closson Road which bisects the Third Concession, a Crown grant near the end of the 18th Century.

We spoke to Jens Korberg, winemaker & co-owner of The Old Third Vineyard, about what this unique winery has to offer…

What sets your winery apart from others?
With 3,600 vines per acre, we are one of the very few vineyards who planted high density. Almost all others are low density, at 1000 vines per acre, with only a few at medium density. When densities are over 3500, such as ours, the vine is smaller, more efficient and their roots, which are in competition with each other, go deeper. This means that the fruit ripens earlier, the yield is lower and the canes harder sooner, so they have better winter tolerance. For this and many other reasons, vineyards all over burgundy and, of course, most of the finest around the world, are planted high density. Also, we do not buy our grapes; all of our wines are made from single vineyard, estate grown grapes.

Which of your wines is your personal favourite and why?
Like all of our vines, the wines are our children; we love each and every one of them.

What should people most look forward to when visiting your winery during this year’s Terroir Run?
At our winery, guests can enjoy a ham and cheese crepe with a glass of sparkling cider made in exactly the same manner as our traditional method sparkling wines. We also have our pinot noir and cabernet franc but the cabernet franc does sell out fast!