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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-09-09, Page 1010 News Record • Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Cultivating agri-tourism at Dark Horse Estate Winery Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network Last October when the Rasenberg family announced they were building a winery next the Huron Country Play- house, just east of Grand Bend, there was excited antic- ipation as yet another exam- ple of the changing face of tourism in our area, and one which is sustainable year after year. The dream, that is com- ing to fruition at a fast pace, will result in Huron County becoming Ontario's next big wine region. This fully integrated com- mercial estate winery, owned by the Rasenberg (JMR Electric Ltd.) family, wine yard and agri-tourism facility will be located directly beside the Huron Country Playhouse (HCPH) at the south west corner, in South Huron and will create significant opportunities for enhancing and developing Huron County's already strong and growing tourism industry. They are developing 85 acres around the HCPH. The site comprises of 20 acres- 15 for vineyard and 5 acres for the building site. There are various rooms for functions including two patios, an atrium in the main lobby, retail/tasting bar, cellar with private tasting room, expan- sive VIP room on the second floor and an event centre that will accommodate approximately 250 people. Craig Horlor, vineyard man- ager said they are hoping the commercial component will be completed by June 2016. He explained they have a love for horses and are a big part of their life and it was Sue Ann Rasenberg who came up with the unique name "Dark Horse Estate." Ashley Rasenberg Horlor explained they have planted approximately 22,000 vines, "21894 to be exact: " Cultivars," she says, 'Are Vidal, Baco Noir, Marquette, Reisling, Chardonnay, & Cabernet Franc. These culti- vars are all grafted onto root- stock that is adaptable to northern climates. With the Midget ball for 2016 With the increase and interest in baseball through- out the region, especially in Western Ontario Baseball Association boundaries, the Clinton Minor Ball for the 2016 season will be holding nwmo advanced midget tryouts. President Jeff Ryan said the organization has decided to hold tryouts at the Com- munity Park on September 12 and 13 from 1-3 p.m. Ball players born in NUCLEAR WASTE SOCIETE DE GESTION MANAGEMENT DES DECHEfS ORGANIZATION NUCLEAIRES weather we had this summer we had to scatter our plant- ings as the rain was our obstacle with clay loam soil. When planting the planter that Vailmont Vine- yards used which is a tobacco planter goes 10" deep and the soil must be able to close in on the roots and plant itself, with wet soil especially clay it would have clumped and not given that nice seal around the plant and roots. Trellis system is currently underway and we hope to have it complete in a couple of weeks. We have about one more block of vines to tie:' She adds that construction on the other hand had a late start due to the rain in June, currently 3/4 of the concrete walls are up, site services are done and the block walls on the west event side are almost complete. The goal, Mike Pullen, senior economic develop- ment officer for Huron County EDC services explained at last fall's launch at the HCPH is to "attract 1998-2000 and wishing to try hardball next season should attend. Ryan hopes to have six to seven players graduating from the bantam level but requires up to 16 to form NWMO Learn More Centre The Municipality of Central Huron is one of several communities in the early stages of learning about Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively with the community to advance preliminary assessment studies. If you would like to learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions or offer your thoughts, please drop in to the NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Clinton. Everyone is welcome. Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network Craig Horlor, vineyard manager at Dark Horse Estate Winery checks out the construction phase. new visitors for extended visits to Huron County through creation and mar- keting of new culinary tour- ism experiences associated with wineries." Murray Marshall, project consultant said the Dark Horse Estate Winery would add significant value to a very vibrant industry, which today contributes $3.6 bil- lion dollars to the Ontario economy. They applied for permits to be able to retail wines in the spring of 2016 by pur- chasing juice and blends of VQA Ontario wines primar- ily from Niagara to be the club. Players that are overage softball are encouraged to attend to further their com- petitive skills. More infor- mation will be supplied at the tryouts. NWMO Learn More Centre (Central Huron) 38 Albert Street, Clinton ON 519.386.6711 Tuesday Thursday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. processed at this facility for sale locally and globally," Horlor explained. Scott Rasenberg said, "This winery will not only have its owns vineyards, being planted this spring but also an on-site agri-toruism component including torus, tastings and hospitality. The continued growth of both Ontario wine per capita consumption of wine and the regional winery tourism growth will be a val- ued asset to the evolving Huron Regions economic development:' " It was a lot of initial research and work done on behalf of Huron County that raised our awareness to the potential, from there it was finding the right people and making the numbers work. We have noticed the wine industry in Ontario is much bigger than people realize generating well over three bil- lion dollars to the economy, however with that said, it is also very small in terms of the main players and everyone has been very helpful and welcoming" As for employ- ment he said he can foresee three to five people in the beginning and when in full expansive production upwards to 15-20 on a sea- sonal basis. Contributed photo The Clinton Mustangs peewee team brought home gold two weeks ago. Pictured here left to right, back row: Coaches Calvin Kerr, Chris Taylor, Herman Gerrits and Matt Langendoen. Middle row: Quaid Kerr, Ethan Langendoen, Brent Krahn, Austin Passmore, Nolan Gagnier, Mac Stevens and Jonny Flynn. Front row: Ashton Gerrits, Brayden Taylor, Liam Stoll, Evan Langendoen, Reece Lostell, Trent Falconer and Jake Boughen Mustangs bring medals to Clinton On August 28-30, the Clin- ton Mustang peewee team participated in the WOBA consolation tournament in St. Marys. The team was success- ful in defeating Hanover, Exe- ter, Walkerton and Goderich to go undefeated to the finals. They faced Walkerton again and were defeated, forc- ing another game to decide the championship. The Mus- tangs took an early lead and never looked back, bringing home the gold. This season, three of the five Mustang hardball teams brought home medals. clintonnewsrecord.com