Huron County Viticulture Investor Guide

Viticulture in Huron County: An Introduction for Investors

Huron County Economic Development Services

and

Huron Business Development Corporation

2012-February-2

4/11/2012 Viticulture in Huron County: An Introduction Page 1

Facts About Huron County

Huron County is the most agriculturally productive county in Ontario. It has more census farms (3,260), more acres of farmland (711,525) and more gross farm receipts than any other county or district in the province. This is significant considering that the County’s population is only around 60,000. Agriculture is one of the largest and most important sectors within Huron County. Huron County is located northeast of the Lake Erie North Shore/Pelee Island region, northwest of the Niagara Region, and slightly southwest of Prince Edward County.

This project has been generously supported by the following levels of government and programs:


Foreword

Our goal in this document is to provide you with an overview of the work being done now, and the work that will need to be done in the future, to develop a viticulture industry in Huron County. We want our readers to come away with some understanding of the complexities of this enterprise as well as the possibilities. We understand that potential investors will need more information that we have presented here. Investors have their own research projects to conduct. In this document, we have reported only a general outline of that information. More detailed information is available from Huron County Economic Development Services. To learn more about the investment opportunity outlined in this document, contact: Mike Pullen Economic Development Officer Huron County Economic Development Services 57 Napier Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 1W2

Paul Nichol Huron Business Development Corporation 138 Main Street South P. O. Box 1120 Seaforth, Ontario N0K 1W0

[email protected] 519 524-8394 ext. 3 Toll-free: (888) 524-8394 x3

[email protected] (519) 527-0305 ext. 23

“We believe that Huron County has great potential, both from an viticultural and economic perspective, to support a grape and wine industry of its own. All it needs is a few pioneers to get the wine flowing.”

Lloyd Schmidt Founder of International Viticulture Services Wes Weins VineTech Canada

Disclaimer: The County of Huron, the Huron Business Development Corporation, author and contributing sources, in publishing this document are engaged in disseminating information, not rendering professional advice or services. The County of Huron, the Huron Business Development Corporation, author and contributing sources expressly disclaim any form of liability to any persons, businesses or organizations in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by such persons, businesses or organizations in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this document.


Table of Contents

Facts About Huron County ............................................................................................................. 1 Foreword ......................................................................................................................................... 2

Table of Contents............................................................................................................................ 3 Introduction: The Five Factors Of Success..................................................................................... 4

Commitment ................................................................................................................................... 5 What kind of commitment is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine? .......... 5 Who would want to make a commitment like that? ................................................................... 5

Knowledge ...................................................................................................................................... 5 What kind of knowledge is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?............. 5 How does one acquire knowledge like that? .............................................................................. 6

Site Selection (Climate and Soil).................................................................................................... 7 What kind of site is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?......................... 7 Does Huron County offer sites that meet these guidelines? ....................................................... 7

Resources/Inputs ............................................................................................................................. 9 What kinds of resources are required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine? ........... 9

A Market for What Is Produced...................................................................................................... 9 What kind of market is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine? ................... 9

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 11 Appendices.................................................................................................................................... 12

Appendix 1: Grape Varieties Appropriate to Huron County.................................................... 12 Appendix 2: Winter Conditions in Huron County.................................................................... 14 Appendix 3: Topographic Maps of Huron Ridge ..................................................................... 15 Appendix 4: Cross-Section Profiles of the Huron Ridge.......................................................... 19 Appendix 5: Tourism in Huron County.................................................................................... 21 Appendix 6: Farm Wineries and Estate Wineries..................................................................... 22 Appendix 7: Ontario’s Wine-making Network ........................................................................ 23 Appendix 8: Other Frequently Asked Questions...................................................................... 24


Introduction: The Five Factors Of Success

Ever since Richard Fitoussi came to us with his idea that it would be possible to develop a viticulture industry in Huron County1, we have given many talks about this possibility. At the question and answer session that follows these talks, two questions are very frequently asked.

1. Can you really grow grapes in the cold climate of Huron County? 2. What does it take to succeed in the business of growing grapes and making wine?

Our research has convinced us that the answer to the first question is yes. The answer to the second is a bit more complex. We believe there are five important factors to consider when assessing the likelihood of success in viticulture.

• Commitment • Knowledge • Site Selection (Climate and Soil) • Resources • A Market for What Is Produced

There is an unmistakable romance about the idea of investing in viticulture. We know that this romance is part of what attracts investors. But we also know that romance will only take an investor so far. Though the rewards are potentially great, this is a challenging business. Success requires a significant, and long-term, commitment of time, energy, and resources. Our goal in this document is to give potential investors a better sense of what it takes to succeed in this business. Once a decision to go forward is made, the investor’s own research project begins. At that point, questions will arise about specific pieces of property, amounts of capital needed, methods of raising capital, which grapes suit a piece of land, food safety regulations, etc. We stand ready to help investors answer those questions as they arise, and to recommend leading industry consultants and experts to assist with business planning.

_________________________________ _________________________________

Mike Pullen Paul Nichol Huron County Economic Development Services Huron Business Development Corporation

1 See Appendix 8 for the full story of how Mr. Fitoussi came up with this idea.


Commitment

What kind of commitment is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?

Success in viticulture requires a commitment to the long term. The payback, in terms of both satisfaction, and financial return on investment, is directly related to the length of time one commits to the project. Time matters in this business. The wine that comes from grapes harvested from 20-year-old vines is better than the wine that comes from five-year-old vines. Fifty-year-old vines are that much better. To realize the full possibility of one’s efforts, one must be in this business for the long haul. One of the grape-growers from Niagara that we have consulted puts it this way: “If you want to go into grape-growing, you’ve got to go all the way in.” Who would want to make a commitment like that?

People who are tired of the fast pace, and short timelines, of today’s world. People who want to get involved in a project that takes years and years of effort to reach fruition. People who are tired of living in a world where commitments are just to the next quarter. In growing grapes or making wine, the commitment is to seeing the harvest in five or ten years or twenty years from now. One of our colleagues says that winemakers and grape growers need to be dynasts. The people who succeed in this business are trying to create a legacy, and thus looking a long way down the road. The people who do well in this business are those who are looking to live a different kind of life. A life that requires close involvement and a desire to learn. A life that is lived close to the ground, with eyes fixed steadily on someplace over the horizon. A life that demands confidence in one’s vision, and a willingness to tackle obstacles.

Knowledge

What kind of knowledge is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?

One may have a strong commitment to the goal of producing quality grapes and wine, but commitment isn’t all that is required. To succeed in this enterprise, one must have knowledge, or – particularly in the early days – access to knowledge. In grape growing and winemaking, as in other things, expertise comes slowly. It too requires investments of time and money. There is a lot to know: the characteristics of particular grape varieties, the variability of soil and climate, the relationship of drainage to root growth and disease resistance, the interactions of grape vines


and soils over time, the management of pests, the tools and techniques of planting, the tending of vines, the hiring of skilled labour, the complexities of alcohol regulations, etc, etc. Knowledge of soil enables growers to match the soil with the correct and appropriate rootstock, and then to establish the type of grape variety that would best suit the soil condition and the chosen rootstock. It is in this way that a future terroir2 definition will arise. Viticulture is as much a learning enterprise as it is an agricultural one. Many setbacks can be avoided if one approaches the work with a willingness to learn from others, and an openness to the need for experimentation. There is no playbook that will tell a grower or vintner all that he needs to know to make a success out of a particular piece of land. Whether you are looking for assistance with financing, locating and purchasing land, obtaining approvals, understanding regulations, or choosing which grape varieties to plant, Huron County Economic Development Services can help you find the professional help you are looking for. Our goal is to help you get started on the right foot. How does one acquire knowledge like that?

Expertise is available to investors in two ways: through learning, and through hiring. The starting point here is to gain a good basic education in grape growing and winemaking. Such knowledge can be gained in a variety of ways. Prospective growers and wine-makers can take courses Niagara College or Brock University. Knowledge could come from doing an internship at an existing vineyard. Another source of education is the wide variety of documents, reports, and videos that have been produced by viticulture researchers in Canada and the United States. Cold climate viticulture is now actively practiced in many northern states, and the agricultural

extension departments of the State Universities have supported the development of this industry by producing a steady stream of education materials. Most are available for download or purchase over the Internet. Another way for investors to gain access to expertise is by hiring people who have the expertise, and are willing to share it with novice growers and winemakers. The County has also been

fortunate to establish a partnership with two of Canada’s leading viticulture and winery consultants, Allan and Lloyd Schmidt, and an association with VineTech Canada based in Grimsby Ontario. VineTech Canada is a major supplier of rootstock for wineries throughout Canada. They are certified distributors of the cold hardy grape varieties developed by the University of Minnesota: Frontenac, Frontenac gris, La Crescent, and Marquette.

2 From Wikipedia: “The concept of terroir is at the base of the French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been the model for appellation and wine laws across the globe. At its core is the assumption that the land from which the grapes are grown imparts a unique quality that is specific to that region.”


People learn best by becoming a member of a community of practice. That’s why we have devoted some energy to the development of the Huron Shores Viticulture Network. This network is currently comprised of individuals interested in grape growing and winemaking. The group has had a field trip down to Niagara to meet with growers and winemakers, and a few workshops have been held here in Huron County. Our hope is that individuals in this network will help each other succeed by sharing knowledge as it is acquired, and join the well-established network of growers, vintners, and educators exists in Ontario. We present an abbreviated list of links to their various websites in Appendix 7.

Site Selection (Climate and Soil)

What kind of site is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?

Site selection is a key variable for investors to consider. Favourable sites will have the topography, climate, and soil appropriate to growing grapes that can be made into wine that customers will enjoy drinking. Viticulture researchers at the Iowa State University list the following as key factors to consider.

• Climate o The concern here is that the site offers a long enough growing season to develop

both fruit and vine development. Investors will want to consider things like winter low temperatures, average season length (frost free days), growing degree-days, and annual precipitation. Climate is determined by both macroclimate concerns, and meso-climate factors. This is where factors like elevation, slope, exposure to sunlight and wind, and aspect come into play.

• Soil characteristics o The Iowa researchers list the following factors to look for in choosing favourable

sites: soil compaction, water capacity, organic matter in the soil, proper soil pH and adequate nutrients, and drainage.

• Other concerns: o Access to irrigation source o Geometric regularity and plot shape

Does Huron County offer sites that meet these guidelines?

In Huron County, there is a strip of land approximately five to seven miles inland from Lake Huron that for many years supported the growing of tender fruit. The proposed Huron Ridge3 grape-growing region extends 40 miles, from Port Albert in the north to Grand Bend in the south. The experts we have consulted report that this region offers many favourable sites for growing grapes.

We arranged to have soil testing done along the Huron Ridge area. Soil samples were taken at five locations in the proposed Huron Ridge wine region (i.e. region of Huron County with Nile and Port Albert to the north, and Zurich to Saint Joseph in the south, the ridge to the east, and Lake Huron to the west). A total of 24 samples were taken. The soil analysis was done by A & L 3 Appendices 3 and 4 present topographic views of this ridge.


Laboratories Canada Inc, of London, Ontario. The soil study told us that the Huron Ridge soil has large amounts of calcium carbonate and other minerals. The geological formation of the soils in the proposed grape growing zone is composed mainly of sediment left by glaciers. This results in a mosaic of diverse soils. This is similar to the geological conditioning found in Bourgogne, Medoc, Jura, Alsace, and Touraine (Loire Valley) in France. We engaged the services of Dr. Anthony Shaw, an internationally renowned geographer from the Brock University Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, and asked him to give us an assessment of the climate. The goal of this study was to answer two questions:

1) Does Huron County’s April to October growing season provide enough heat and light to support production of vitis vinifera grape?

2) Are Huron County’s winters too cold, and thus too damaging, to allow a commercially successful cultivation of vitis vinifera grapes?

Dr. Shaw analyzed the temperature records from two weather stations in Huron County (Blyth and Exeter), and compared that temperature patterns with those from weather stations located in the two other wine growing areas of Ontario, Vineland in Niagara Region and Harrow on the Lake Erie North Shore. He concluded that Huron County did indeed possess “a growing season with adequate number of growing degree days and a favourable heliothermal index that can support the commercial production of a range of cold-hardy, early to mid-season, Vitis vinifera varieties.” According to Dr. Anthony Shaw, the elevation of the ridge as it slopes towards the Lake produces a meso climate with microclimates similar to those produced by the Niagara Escarpment4. The research reported that “the climatic suitability of this area for the successful cultivation of international varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes will be limited principally by the occurrence of damaging temperature of <-23 degrees C in winter and by late spring and early fall frosts temperatures of <-2 degrees”. As for the potentially damaging effect of the winter, Dr. Shaw’s analysis5 showed that Huron County’s winters were harsher than those in Niagara and Harrow, and that the likelihood of “potentially damaging temperatures” was greater in Huron than in Harrow or Vineland. He also noted that the Prince Edward County region had a more extreme winter climate than Huron County. While the temperature records showed that a likelihood of 1.5 events of less than –23 Centigrade per year, Prince Edward County records averages about 5 such events per year.

4 Cross-sectional views of the topography of the ridge may be found in Appendix 4. 5 As noted above, Dr. Shaw’s temperature data came from the Blyth and Exeter area, and not from the proposed Huron Ridge area. Preliminary results from our follow-up climate study have indicated that the Huron Ridge area has higher temperatures than Blyth and Exeter. This research is continuing.


Resources/Inputs

What kinds of resources are required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?

The primary inputs into the grape-growing enterprise are knowledge, money, materials, manpower, and machinery. • Knowledge is required to avoid costly errors that others have made.

• Money is required to pay for knowledge, land, materials, and labour. o The materials required include seedlings, trellising supplies, hand tools, and

machinery. o Cost of seedling will be affect by the choice of vine, which will in turn be affected by

site considerations such as soil quality, drainage, exposure to sun, growing degree-days, etc.

o Trellising supplies include posts, wires, and anchors. Machinery would include items like a tractor, a row cultivator, a mower, a herbicide sprayer, a fertilizer sprayer, and a pickup truck. In the early days, special planting equipment may be needed.

o Labour costs for the early years are significant. In a 2004 report, viticulture researchers reported that labour cost can range from $3,000 - $4,000 per acre for the first three years of production. Such costs would also vary depending on the type of grape variety grown (i.e., hybrids or vitis vinifera).

o Estimate of the capital recovery period vary anywhere from seven to eleven years, again depending on the type of grape variety grown (i.e., hybrids or vitis vinifera).

A Market for What Is Produced

What kind of market is required to succeed in growing grapes and making wine?

According to Jamie Macfarlane of The Ice House Winery in Niagara, the road to success in viticulture begins with the development of a marketing plan. The purpose of a winery is to produce a product – wine. But to keep achieving that goal, it must make something else – a profit. To produce good wine profitably and consistently is harder than just making wine. To make a profit, winemakers need to make some decisions about the kind of wine they will make (sensory profile), and how much it will sell for. The goal of the marketing plan is to help winemakers determine how they plan to meet customer expectations profitably. Answers to that question will be informed by research into the expectations of potential customers as to the taste


and cost of the wine that is offered for sale. The same principles apply to those who wish to grow grapes.

One of the challenges of developing a plan for meeting customer expectations profitably is the fact that the nature of people’s interest in viticulture products varies greatly. One potential class of customers is winemakers themselves. These are the customers that grape growers will want to focus on. Another class of customers is those who simply want to enjoy a good bottle of wine at a price they can well afford. Then there are the folks who are drawn to the edu-tainment

aspects of visiting wineries. These are customers who will come to see the operation, taste some wines, and enjoy the whole ambiance of the winemaking culture. As many winery owners around the world have learned, there is money to be made from bringing wine-drinkers to the winery, and not just from getting the wine to the wine-drinkers. We see in Ontario two models of achieving success as a winemaker. Both provide ways of meeting customer expectations profitably. They differ primarily in terms of scale. A farm winery is a small-scale operation that produces a modest number of bottles each year. The tasting room might be a small room inside a farmhouse. This scale of winery requires fewer inputs of money and labour and maintenance. For some winemakers, achieving success at this scale is an end in itself. For others, the farm winery may offer a way to start small, and gain experience, prior to building up the business toward becoming an estate winery. The estate winery is a large-scale operation. Such a winery seeks to become both a producer of desirable wine, and a destination for tourists and for special events. Such an operation will pay particular attention to landscaping and architecture. It will have a specially designed tasting room, a banquet facility6, and the resources needed to deal with large groups. When a winery becomes a desired venue for parties, weddings, and company retreats, it is creating a market for its products. Best practices for estate wineries

• Destination tourism • Special event tourism • Wine festivals tourism

Macfarlene stresses the idea that the goal of any winery (whether farm scale or estate7) should be to produce wine that customers will enjoy drinking rather than to produce wine that the winemaker will enjoy drinking. Many wineries fail because the winemakers lose sight of the importance of meeting customer expectations profitably. People will want to purchase a bottle of wine they can enjoy at a price that seems appropriate. Matching grape varieties to climate is part of producing such a bottle of wine. If the varieties chosen require a lot of money, time, and labour to generate wine, this will impact price, and price will impact on success. These are all things to consider in developing a marketing plan.

6 Rather than create a restaurant that would compete with local restaurateurs who are a potential market for local wine, winery owners might want to consider inviting them to cater to the winery. 7 See Appendix 5 for more detail on these two models of winery.


Conclusion

A good start has been made on developing a viticulture industry in Huron County. More remains to be done. We know that potential investors will have their own set of questions. This introductory document is not meant to provide all the answers. Our goal has been to show readers both the complexities and the possibilities of this industry. More detailed information is available from Huron County Economic Development Services. To echo the words of Lloyd Schmidt and Wes Weins, what is needed now are some pioneers. We stand ready to provide assistance to such pioneers. Please contact us. Mike Pullen Economic Development Officer Huron County Economic Development Services 57 Napier Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 1W2

Paul Nichol Huron Business Development Corporation 138 Main Street South P. O. Box 1120 Seaforth, Ontario N0K 1W0

[email protected] 519 524-8394 ext. 3 Toll-free: (888) 524-8394 x3

[email protected] (519) 527-0305 ext. 23


Appendices

Appendix 1: Grape Varieties Appropriate to Huron County

In deciding which varieties to plant, viticulture investors will be in a position familiar to anyone trying to decide whether to invest their RRSP money in stocks or term deposits. Each path has a different risk-reward profile. We know that the financial rewards of successful planting of vitis vinefera can be higher than with the hybrids, but we also know there is a margin of safety around winter damage to vines that comes with hybrids. Anthony Shaw’s climate study concluded that both viniferas and hybrids could grow in Huron County. Both varieties will produce wine that people would enjoy drinking. But the challenges of growing viniferas in our climate are greater that those encountered in growing hybrids. To grow viniferas in this climate requires more energy. That’s energy from the sun because of their longer growing season, and heat energy to protect them from winter cold. Those inputs require time and money can in turn require vintners to put a high price on their wine simply to cover such costs. In Prince Edward County, many growers and vintners have learned the hard way that hybrids are a better way to get started in grape growing and winemaking. Wes Weins of VineTech Canada and Lloyd Schmidt have strongly suggested that Huron County growers and vintners begin their grape-growing experience with the hybrids. These grape varieties, particularly those developed specifically for cold climate viticulture, offer a greater likelihood of success at the start. They grow more reliably, and they require fewer inputs of time and money and equipment to get through the winter. Other professional viticulture consultants and oenologues concur. All suggest it makes most sense to start with hybrids such as:

Hybrid Red Varietals: • Baco Noir, Chambourcin, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, and Marquette • Henry of Pelham Winery and Estate produce an excellent red Baco Noir • Malivoire Estate winery is using Marechal Foch successfully to make a very fine red

wine • Ontario vintners in Prince Edward County and Grey County are finding a market for

red wine made with Frontenac.

Hybrid White Varietals: • Frontenac Gris, L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc • Vidal is a white hybrid that is used for Ice Wine, Semi Dry Wines and Dry Wines by

many wineries in Niagara region and elsewhere. • Seyval is less known as it is often used by large wineries in white blended wines • L’Acadie Blanc is successfully used in Nova Scotia and Quebec

Any red grapes from young vines can also be made into very nice bone-dry fruity rose or pressed ‘White’ and used in a sparkling blend. One of the consultants we asked to review the soil and climate studies we had commissioned was internationally renowned French viticulturist and winemaker, Pierre Marie Guillaume. He


reported that varieties such as Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Chardonnay would be suitable for commercial production within Huron County. For growers who want to experiment with growing viniferas, the following varieties are suggested: Red Wine:

• Cabernet Franc • Gamay • Pinot Meunier • Pinot Noir

White Wine:

• Chardonnay • Gewurztraminer • Riesling

These can be planted in the region. Taking care of viniferas will be more costly in chemical applications and more labour intensive than hybrids. Investors may need to reserve capital for winter protection techniques such as a geothermal blanket application and/or wind machines. Such considerations do not mean that growers should abandon the idea. If the investors have the capital to pursue such a dream, then they might want to start with just a few rows to learn all about the four seasons life of vitis vinifera. For those looking for a more reliable outcome, the preferred choice may be to leave the risk in the hands of the adventurers, and wait until the viability of growing viniferas is fully proven.


Appendix 2: Winter Conditions in Huron County

What has been done to assess the danger that winter could pose to grapes? Winter damage to vines will be more of a concern for those growers who decide to grow vinifera grapes. The hybrid grapes we have mentioned above have all shown good ability to survive winter conditions. The challenge of developing varieties capable of surviving winter cold is the primary concern of cold climate viticulture researchers. The serious danger to hybrids happens when the temperature reaches –31C. But this is not to say that no protection is needed to help hybrids survive winter cold. While the Blyth and Exeter data helped to establish the basic feasibility of the project, these weather stations were not located in the area that was proposed as a potential grape growing region. After receiving Dr. Shaw’s study, we consulted a well-known viticulturist, winemaker and winery owner from Niagara as to next steps for the project. This expert recommended that three 60-ft meteorological towers be strategically placed within the growing region with sensors mounted at various levels to determine the height, strength and duration of radiation inversions on nights with potentially damaging temperatures. This was done. The data from these towers clearly demonstrates that thermal inversion differentials exist, therefore making the future use of wind machine technology to support vinifera planting feasible.

What methods are available to protect grape vines from winter damage? Many factors contribute to the protection of vines from winter damage, and not all of them have to do with managing and mitigating temperature. Researchers in Ontario have noted that the vines that suffer most damage in winter are those that are most stressed during the summer growing season. Stresses can come from drought, pests, and drainage problems. Here again we see the importance of good site selection. These facts notwithstanding, the primary way that grape growers protect their vines from winter damage has to do with preventing exposure of the vines to very cold temperatures. Currently there are three methods that are widely used.

• Hilling up and around vines • Using wind machines to push warmer air

down to ground level • Insulating materials


Appendix 3: Topographic Maps of Huron Ridge

Port Albert to Goderich


Goderich to Bayfield


Bayfield to St. Joseph


St. Joseph to Grand Bend


Appendix 4: Cross-Section Profiles of the Huron Ridge



Appendix 5: Tourism in Huron County

Huron County, known as Ontario's West Coast, offers unlimited natural areas, a breathtaking shoreline plus quaint towns and villages. Outstanding regional theatres, museums and cultural attractions combine with unique, established events to draw visitors from outside the area. Nurseries, antique and specialty shops with unique products, and diverse restaurants and country inns specializing in serving locally grown foods help make the tourism industry the third pillar in Huron's regional economy. The County of Huron and the Huron Tourism Association (HTA) work closely together in promoting the region and its tourism strategies. Annually, the County and Huron Tourism Association produce a comprehensive Travel Guide; specialty brochures promoting Fishing, Cycling, Hiking, Heritage Walking Tours and Heritage & Culture amenities are also published. Additional information regarding Huron County’s tourism industry can be found at http://ontarioswestcoast.ca. The County provides support to the following rural and agri-tourism marketing strategies:

* Tastes of Huron * Huron Harvest Trail * Huron Arts and Heritage Network * Huron Tourism Association * Shakespeare to the Shoreline


Appendix 6: Farm Wineries and Estate Wineries

Farm Winery Example Carrick Wines and Cider is located in Carrick Township, Bruce County, 5 km north of Mildmay, Ontario. It is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Otter Creek valley. It hosts rich soils, perfect for farming fruits such as apples, strawberries and grapes. The county is primarily German background, boasting a variety of different types of agriculture. In late July of 2010, Carrick Wines8 opened its doors as the first ever grape winery and apple cidery in Bruce County. It offers local products produced from grapes and apples grown and harvested on Carrick Farms and from the surrounding area. The focus is to create small batch, high quality wines and ciders that reflect their local heritage. As a small, boutique winery they strongly believe in sustainable farming. By using temperature controlled coolers and customized stainless steel tanks, Carrick Wines serves as a very energy efficient micro-winery. Estate Winery Example Open all year, Vineland Estates Winery9 is not only the home of fine wine and cuisine, but also an unmatched touring facility and wine country destination. At this picturesque venue, extensive vineyards on the bench of the Niagara Escarpment provide the stunning backdrop to a unique cluster of carefully restored historic buildings. Our landmark stone tower stands proudly over a former Mennonite homestead with structures that date back to the 1840s. These include the former farmhouse, now The Restaurant at Vineland Estates Winery with its panoramic views of the vineyards; the century barn that houses our retail store and wine tasting bar under soaring wood beams; and the charming stone Carriage House, with its intimate surroundings for private events.

8 http://www.carrickwines.ca 9 http://www.vineland.com


Appendix 7: Ontario’s Wine-making Network

Associations Canadian Vintners Association http://www.canadianvintners.com/

Grape Growers on Ontario http://www.grapegrowersofontario.com/

Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association http://www.thecountywines.com

Southwestern Ontario Vintners Association http://www.swova.ca

Vine and Tree Fruit Innovations http://www.vineandtreefruitinnovations.com

VQA Ontario http://www.vqaontario.ca/Home

Venture Niagara http://www.ventureniagara.com

Wine Council of Ontario http://winesofontario.org

Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario http://www.wgao.ca

Institutions Brock University – Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI)

http://www.brocku.ca/ccovi/

Niagara College – Horticulture and Agribusiness http://www.niagaracollege.ca/hort/

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs – Tender Fruit and Grape Department

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/grape.html

University of Guelph – Department of Plant Agriculture http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/campuses/vineland/index.html

University of Guelph – Ontario Agricultural College http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/

Publications and Resources Toronto-Dominion Bank Return on Investment Report

Anthony Shaw Climate Study

Micro-climate Data Report

Soil Study

OMAFRA reports


Appendix 8: Other Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the idea of starting a wine industry in Huron County come from? Forty years ago, the economics of food production supported the growing of peaches in Huron County. But with changes in transportation and changes in the marketing of fresh produce, the viability of growing peaches in Huron County diminished. As the demand for locally grown tender fruit went away, so did the demand and need for the kind of unique growing conditions that this land supported. Thus, over time, the value of this land was forgotten. It was no longer used to its potential.

Sometimes a newcomer can see things that are invisible to long-term residents of a community. In this case, the perceptive person was a local entrepreneur, Richard Fitoussi. Mr. Fitoussi was the person who drove along Orchard Line one day a few years ago, and wondered to himself, “Why is it called Orchard Line?” This got him asking questions, and soon he learned about the peach orchards of Huron County. Being a native of France, a restaurateur, and a person devoted to developing local food sources, Mr. Fitoussi saw a possibility that others did not see. He saw that economic and climatic conditions existed that would again make this strip of land valuable again, but this time, the value lay not in the lands capability of growing peaches, but rather its ability to support the growing of grapes, and which meant there was a possibility of developing a wine industry in Huron County. With this idea in mind, Mr. Fitoussi approached officials in Huron County local economic development agencies, and persuaded them of the viability of his idea, and of the value in supporting the development of this industry. Thus began a concerted effort to discover the viability of this idea.


Where is Huron County in relation to the other wine growing regions of Ontario? Huron County is located northeast of the Lake Erie North Shore/Pelee Island region, northwest of the Niagara Region, and slightly southwest of Prince Edward County.

There are also three wineries currently operating north of Huron County, in neighbouring Bruce and Grey Counties. Bruce County

• Carrick Wines and Cider, Mildmay, Ontario

Grey County

• Georgian Hills Vineyards, Blue Mountains, Ontario • Coffin Ridge Winery, Annan, Ontario

Are there any wineries or grape growers currently operating in Huron County? As of this writing, there is currently some experimentation with grape-growing within the County. We are still in the early stages of development of this industry. We know that Huron County has people with desire to grow grapes, and a willingness to learn how to do this. Work on developing this cohort of growers is already underway. We call this group the Huron Shores Viticulture Network. We have been working with industry experts to provide training and


educational opportunities for growers who want to pursue this opportunity. We have expressions of interest from over twenty farmers who are interested in potentially becoming growers.

What regulations would apply if I wanted to build a winery in Ontario or Huron County? Over the past five years, the County of Huron Planning and Development Department conducted a review of the County’s Official Plan. Steps were taken to ensure that the County’s agricultural land use regulations recognized the future development of vineyards, and the kind of building development that will be needed to establish a winery. The Official Plan is set up to allow development of both wineries and cheese factories. Politicians on Huron County Council level, and on the lower-tier municipal councils, have shown great support for this initiative. They too want to create an investment context that minimizes uncertainty for investors. When development work reaches the stage where Planning permissions are required, County planning staff are ready to help investors and developers secure the necessary Planning approvals. The Province of Ontario requires that any winery operating in the province must be surrounded by a minimum of five acres of vineyard. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency considers a winery to be a food production facility. This means wineries will be subject to CFIA’s food safety rules and regulations. A careful review those regulations will be therefore be part of any winery planning process.

Date post:	10-Mar-2016
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Huron County Viticulture Investor Guide

Documents