Terroir Weekend 2011

Prince Edward Winegrowers Association Chair Kemp Stewart of Hillier Creek Estates at Terroir, 2011

Every year, momentum grows by leaps and bounds in the wine industry in Prince Edward County. As Canada’s fastest growing wine region, there is much to be excited about. This past weekend’s annual Terroir event hosted by the Prince Edward Winegrowers Association was no exception.

With record attendance (over 600 with over 400 tickets sold in advance) it’s clear that oenophiles have identified Terroir as the opportunity to taste many of the current and new County releases in one convenient place and time (not all PEC wineries are members of PECWA and would have representation at the show, but many are).

Major excitement and interest was generated from the representation of some of the newest wineries as well including Half Moon Bay, Lighthall and Stanners. Not to mention some fabulous new releases from the “old guard”.

All in all, 2011 will be a most rewarding year for those “in the know” who will be flocking to PEC in droves to taste our delectable dirt…in our wines, that is!

Terroir is one of many events that takes place in Prince Edward County that contribute to our community’s vibrant food and wine culture.

If you would like to know more about starting a business in Prince Edward County or already have a business here and would like to learn more about the free confidential services available to help with your business please get in touch!

Karin Desveaux-Potters, Economic Development Office, Prince Edward County. 613 476 2148 x 344, kdesveaux-potters@pecounty.on.ca

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Comments (0) | Posted almost a year ago by Karin Desveaux-Potters

New Eco Store Opens in Bloomfield

Contributed by Diana Cooper, Green Cluster, Economic Development Office

I was in for a treat this week when I got a sneak peek of Valery Philip’s latest project. Tucked beneath her Living Naturally yoga studio in Bloomfield is the most eclectically appointed shop, brimming with eco-friendly products for house, home and soul.

Committed to a small eco-footprint, Valery was pleasantly surprised by how much she could find re-used, right down to the paper cutter and vintage wrapping paper. Social media and Face Book helped: “Put it out there and ask for what you need. People save things because they realize they have value but have yet to come up with the idea of how to re-purpose it”.

The store was built using reclaimed and low impact materials: antique tables, shelves made from window valances from her grandfather’s house. Finding things, cleaning them up and giving them new life is second nature to Valery like the old cat creamer she now uses as a string holder.

Valery has collected an inspiring line up of funky, joyful items, many re-purposed and seen again through fresh eyes: picnic blankets made from up cycled fabrics, vintage teacups made into garden accessories.

Local creations are predominantly featured like Katherine Orok’s gorgeous clothing made from re-purposed fabrics, art by Brandy Gale and Sarah Renauld and soaps and balms crafted by Big Tub Botanicals and Honey Pie Hive and Herbals.

An aromatherapist, Valery will have quality oils as well as Canadian made yoga clothing, mats and books.

Valery recounted a visit to the Rose House museum where she saw a wooden butter mold. When she turned it over she discovered a carved rose inside that would leave an imprint on the finished brick.

“It struck me that no matter how busy this woman was, she took the time to make beautiful something as everyday as butter. We have lost ownership of creating beauty for ourselves.”

Living Naturally Gift Shop opens it’s doors on Saturday May 21 from 11 am to 5 pm and will be open every day but Tuesday.

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Comments (0) | Posted around a year ago by Diana Cooper

Terroir Run: Enjoy a 10k Run Through Wine Country in Prince Edward County

Guest contributed by Rebecca LeHeup and Andrew Mackenzie                                                         Race Founders and Road Warriors

The idea appropriately enough was born over a bottle of wine – the Grange of Prince Edward’s ’08 Riesling. We are both healthy advocates of culinary travel, and were looking for a spring run to take part in. With busy lives, the appeal of joining an organized 10K that is fun and allows participants a genuine local experience was even more appealing. Unfortunately such an event did not exist in Ontario, especially not like the vineyard runs we’d heard of in France. The obvious question was “why not?”.

We realized that the distance between this dream and the reality of our home-based gastronomic island of Prince Edward County with beautiful geography and dozens of new wineries was literally a handful of kilometers.

With another glass in hand, we opened a map and penciled out several routes with a focus on the natural cluster of wineries surrounding Hillier, Ontario. By our calculation, 10K and a few would take us past eight wineries, and if properly organized could end up at  Norman Hardie’s , precisely in front of his masterful new brick pizza oven.

Could it be this easy? We jumped in the car and a few hours later had enthusiastic commitments from Norman to host the finishing lunch, from Jens & Bruno, owners of the  Old Third Winery to act as the starting point; they even volunteered to use their “bird banger” to get everyone going.

The other wineries jumped aboard too,  agreeing to offer the runners a tasting at each of their wineries, and friends and colleagues were also eager to participate.

Hey, if everyone has half the fun we’ve had putting this inaugural run together we may see Terroir Runs in other parts of the County, in other regions of Ontario, in other provinces across the country, and maybe even around the world.

So, Ready, Set, Sante!

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The Terroir Run is one of many events, businesses and services in Prince Edward County that contribute to our community’s health and wellbeing.

If you would like to know more about starting a business in Prince Edward County or already have a business here and would like to learn more about the free confidential services available to help with your business please get in touch!

Karin Desveaux-Potters, Economic Development Office, Prince Edward County. 613 476 2148 x 344, kdesveaux-potters@pecounty.on.ca

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Comments (0) | Posted over a year ago by Karin Desveaux-Potters

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