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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-09-16, Page 11Say hello to Huron County's first winery Shaun Gregory Postmedia Network An experiment in 2009 to see if a test plot of grape vines could subsist in Huron County's cold cli- mate commanded not only the survival of the plants, but also led to the first regis- tered winery in the region and the only place in the province that produces a mutated cold hardy grape. To be successful in the wine production business, it takes time, effort and, above everything, a large investment of funding. Catherine Landsborough, who is settled between the South Maitland River and the Bayfield River approxi- mately 5 km from Seaforth, decided with her husband Jim Landsborough sixyears ago to take a chance and transform a once cattle pas- ture into something diverse. "The conservation area does not like you using that land for grazing because the risk of polluting the whole system, so we looked for something that wouldn't damage the ecosystem and vines were it," said Lands - borough, referring to the closeness of the river. After waiting patiently for approximately three to four years for the vines to pro- duce both viable grapes and a profit, the Maelstrom Winery is now fully func- tioning and harvesting. At the moment, the vineyard sits on eight acres of land filled with sandy hills fol- lowed by rows upon rows of grape vines. The property does not come cheap stated Landsborough, with each acre costing in the range of $25,000. To make things more difficult, everything must be hand-picked because the landscape Contributed photo Jim and Catherine Landsborough recently launched a one - of -a -kind dimension in agriculture, the Maelstrom Winery. being jagged. Furthermore, this process is what Lands - borough considers the best way to serve the commu- nity with superior quality wine. The success of the only winery in Huron County did not come with positive feedback when the project first proceeded. Subse- quently Seaforth and the region receive bleak win- ters, which Landsborough calls a "death sentence" for the vines. Not everybody accepted the business ven- ture with open anus. "We still get people say- ing well you can't grow that here (Huron County), yeah you would be surprised what you can grow here," Landsborough said confidently. The Landsboroughs are going against the odds and proving that they can grow in Huron County, a land that some believe is an unbearable habitat for vines. That same land is what created Frontenac Blanc, a white wine that originally came from the University of Minnesota in their testing vineyard. This type of dark blue -fruited mutation makes the Maelstrom Winery the only place in Ontario to produce such vines. The Frontenac is currently out selling Chardonnay 4-1, a wine that is considered to be the highest selling white wine in the world. Jan Hawley, Huron East's economic develop- ment officer, said the - Maelstrom Winery will enhance tourism and, being the only one of its kind in Huron County, is another "dimension of agriculture." "It's very gratifying, we have our wonderful meats, cheeses and produce. What we have here right in our own backyard, you can all sit down and have a toast with Huron County wine," Hawley said. "Hats off to the Landsboroughs. This didn't just happen. Since 2009, they've been working on this." Next year, Maelstrom Winery plans to build a tasting room and are look- ing into potentially having an official grand opening party when harvest comes. For any questions or more information, go to the website www.maelstrom- winery.ca A green thumb Laura Broadley Clinton News Record It grew and grew and now doesn't seem to be slowing down. John Strickler stands in front of his Clinton home where a squash plant has taken over his deck. Strickler said his mother used to grow squash but that he's never seen anything like the one growing on his property. The sunflowers next to the squash are also growing to exceptional heights. Wednesday, September 16, 2015 • News Record 11 Get all of your news, sports and more. clintonnewsrecord.com Serving Huron County OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record are as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Clinton News Record 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com