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Hello, I'm looking to receive information about growing
grapes in the
greater Moncton area. Does anyone know who and where I can
get information on varieties, hardiness,zones and successes
in my region. I'd like to subscibe to the free catalogues
that were mentioned as well. Perhaps also government grants
on starting up a vineyard ,all in due time.
Thank you,
Shelley Dayton
.-.-.-.-.-.
Hello Shelley. Happy
New Year.
First of all, to receive the free gardening catalogues,
you'll need to refer back to the
original Highway 7 gardening article and check each
supplier link. Links to Plant Hardiness Zones are included
in the article, however, new information from Agriculture
Canada indicates that your growing zone in Moncton is somewhere
between 4b and 5a, depending which side of the city you're
on (5a is east).
Now to your other questions:
Apparently, the first Cdn. grapes were grown in Bear River,
Nova Scotia in 1611. It is not known, however, if they ever
produced wine. At the Research Station in Kentville (not
that far from Moncton), grapes suitable for wine-making
were first identified in the 1960's. The first varieties
to show promise in Nova Scotia were French hybrids: Marechal
Foch, DeChaunac, Castel 19637, Baco Noir, Leon Millot, and
Seyval Blanc. Two Russian hybrids, Mischurnitz and Severnyi,
were also of interest for early ripening, high sugar content,
good production and winter hardiness.
Many of these are still grown in Atlantic Canada. It seems
our colder Canadian climates lend themselves well to growing
the popular new "ice wines"!
If I were looking to grow grapes seriously, I'd start here
since you're only a couple of hours away from NS anyway.The
climate is pretty much the same.
A lovely couple in Avondale (near Windsor) who grow grapes
for Jost has provided us with an online "Grape
Growing Manual"
(Be sure and thank Andrew for the great (grape?) information!)
The NB Dept.
of Agriculture appears to think that a grape is a small
immature potato, but you can try. They should have info
for grape growers as there are a number of successful vineyards
in the Province. I'd check first with Clara Leblanc in Crop
Development to steer you in the right direction, mail you
some info etc.
Phone: (506) 856-2648
Fax: (506) 856-2092
EMail Address: c.leblanc@gnb.ca
381 Killam Drive
Moncton, NB
E1C 3T1
Canada
Then, another Leblanc: Get in touch with Paul Leblanc at
the
New Brunswick Fruit Growers Association
259 Brunswick Street, Suite 302
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 1G8
nbapple@nbnet.nb.ca
(506) 452-8100
Finally, I'd contact and later, spend some time touring
the New Brunswick vineyards (although you may be closer
to some Nova Scotian vineyards. Jost vineyards are close
to you, on the north shore at Malagash - tours at noon and
3:00 p.m. in the summer 1-800-565-4567
info@jostwine.com
.
Most wineries and vineyards do give tours and some will
even provide you with plant slips to help you get going.
I have been told Jost does, but haven't confirmed this with
the company.
Here's your New Brunswick list of vineyards:
Gagetown Cider Company - 16 Fox Road, Gagetown
Nestled into the bank of a bend in the Saint John River,
Gagetown Cider Company is a branch of Stirling Farms, NB,
owned by Blair and Brenda Stirling. Blair is a 3rd generation
fruit grower, whose family owns the large Stirling Farms
operation in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. Blair came
to New Brunswick in 1976 to run the operation in Gagetown
and married Brenda, a Fredericton native. They retail 15
different products including a unique apple "iced"
wine, all available at their retail store on the farm site.
Call 506-488-2147 for store hours.
Belliveau Orchard, - Route 925, Pré d’en Haut
Located 25kms from Moncton and Dieppe, on the eastern bank
of the Petitcodiac River, Belliveau Orchard is owned by
the Bourgeois family. The farm was started by Sebastien
Belliveau in the early part of the 1900s. It was run by
the local Catholic parish in the 1950s and 60s until Louis
Bourgeois, a farm employee bought the business in 1967.
Louis’ sons, Robert and Jean-Louis, run the business now,
and Robert opened the family’s cottage winery store in December
of 1999. They sell 9 company products, including a "pear
wine" and an apple "ice" wine. Call 1-506-758-2325
for store hours.
La Ferme Maury – 2021 Route 475, St. Édouard-de-Kent
Serge Maury is New Brunswick’s first true commercial grape
winemaker. His fruit farm and vineyards are located in a
sheltered microclimate just off the Northumberland Strait
and close to the Bouctouche Dunes Ecological Preserve. Serge
is originally from Paris, France, and 9 years ago he and
his wife Denise Boucher purchased the dairy farm that is
now their home. Serge planted his first vines in 1996; created
his first wines in cooperation with Winegarden Estate; and
has been selling his wines since April 2000. Cuvée St.-
Édouard is his premier dry red wine, but they have 4 other
fruit wines. The family also runs a thriving campground
onsite. Call 506-743-5347 for store hours.
Tierney Point Winery – 5086 Route 1, Pennfield
Located between Saint John and St. Stephen, Hawkins Farms
was started by Rupert Hawkins in 1932. Since then Rupert’s
son, Ken Hawkins, and Ken’s sons Doug and Russ, have built
one of New Brunswick’s major fruit enterprises specializing
in blueberry and cranberry production. The 4th generation
of the Hawkins’ family are now in the business. Ken and
Hugh, Doug’s sons, are working on the farm and Ken and his
wife Serri opened a fruit winery in July 2001. They have
created 4 blueberry and cranberry fruit wines, and a special
‘strawberry-rhubarb" wine. Call 506-755-6942 for store
hours.
Tuddenham Farms – Route 1, Oak Bay
Oak Bay is less than 10kms from St. Stephen and Fred and
Janet Tuddenham, sons Todd and Troy, and daughter Tanis,
operate a large blueberry and Christmas tree farm just off
the main highway, plus a very successful farm market in
the summer. Janet’s grandfather, Sanford Newell, started
a blueberry business in 1923. His son Carl expanded the
business and Janet, Carl’s daughter, has carried on the
family involvement. Janet had always made blueberry wine,
and in July of 2001, her hobby became a cottage winery operated
by her son Todd. Call 506-466-1840 for store hours.
Winegarden Estate – 851 Route 970, Baie Verte
Underlying many of the cottage wines produced in New Brunswick
is the talent and expertise of Werner and Roswitha Rosswog
of Baie Verte, outside Port Elgin. Together with their daughters
Elke and Christina and son Steffan they opened Rosswog Farm
Distillery in May of 1992. When the cottage winery program
came into being in 1999, the Rosswog family worked cooperatively
with Gagetown Cider to produce the first apple wines. They
have also been essential to the success of Ferme Maury,
Tierney Point Winery and Tuddenham Farms. In 1998, Rosswog
Farm was incorporated as Winegarden Estate Ltd. and in 2002
they celebrated their 10th anniversary and grand opening
of their new farm shop and warehouse. They carry a selection
of over 50 wines and liqueurs. Call 506-538-7405 for store
hours.
Belleisle Vineyards – 1826 Route 124 – Between Hatfield
Point and Springfield
The Province’s newest cottage winery opened its doors on
October 3, 2003. Operated by Rod and Judy Gillis and managed
by daughter Carey Gillis, under the trade name of Gillis
of Belleisle Wineyard & Winery, they are concentrating on
3 grape varieties, plus an assortment of other fruit wines.
The winery and reception hall, built with old world charm,
is located on a hill overlooking the Belleisle Valley, a
very beautiful part of the lower Saint John River watershed.
They currently have two wines in production. Call 506-485-8846
for store hours.
Good luck!
Gail Martin
Editor
Highway 7 Online
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