Vol. 3 No. 4
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
Westport family vineyard and winery hopes to become a tourist destination
westport - chris must “We were told that we were crazy…and at times we wondered if they were right” says Allison Scheuermann, reflecting on her family’s five-year odyssey into wine making. Apart from Prince Edward County, Eastern Ontario isn’t known for its vineyards. But that may be about to change. Crazy or not, Francois and Allison Scheuermann can be justly proud of the three varieties of wine they have successfully produced at their Westport vineyard and winery after five years of hard work. Just over six acres of the Scheuermanns’ 20-acre property at the north edge of Westport are planted with grapevines. Their plans originated (over a glass of wine) in 2010, when they were discussing what do with some unused
fields on the property they had purchased the previous year. In 2011, they planted 1,000 vines: 500 Chardonnay and 500 Pinot noir grape plants. The planting began as an experiment to see how the plants would cope with the local winters. The grapes were picked before ripening for the first three years to strengthen the plants
and their root systems. The vines have to be covered with earth all winter to protect them. Francois, a Swisstrained chef and entrepreneur who also markets a line of “Chef Francois” seasoning spice, decided to seek out a mentor to help him learn the key elements of making and marketing wine. He was looking for “someone who’s making good wine locally, and with the time and expertise to invest in us.” That mentor turned out to be Norman Hardie, proprietor of the Norman Hardie Winery in Prince Edward County. Francois volunteered to help with the harvest at Hardie’s winery in 2010, offering to work free in return for some coaching. “You put your time in and I’ll teach you along
the way,” Hardie told Francois. For the next several years, Francois spent each harvest at the Hardie winery learning the ropes, and he and Hardie became close friends. Finally after three years the Scheuermanns’ test plot produced fruit for one barrel of Chardonnay. “We were so excited,” recalled Allison. “We’re happy with what’s coming from the ground here.” Although this area’s short growing season limits the types of wine that can be produced here, the Scheuermanns produced 400 cases of Pinot noir and Chardonnay from their own grapes. Juice from grapes grown in Niagara region was also shipped in to produce Reisling. An expert opinion on how these wines
taste was provided by Brian Preston in an article for the National Capital Sommelier Guild. After a visit to the Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery last fall, Preston described the 2014 Riesling as “bright and pale yellow with a nose of light lemon citrus; pure fruit with a medium light body.” Preston also wrote that the 2014 Chardonnay was “French oak barrel aged, pale golden in colour with a beautiful light nose of butter when still in the glass, but when swirled, the fruity nose emerges giving lemon, some vanilla and a touch of tropical fruit.” The Chardonnay, he added, “reflects the soil and youth of the vines, but the wine is well made.” continued on page 11
MAY 2016
Inside This Issue
Food & Drink SEE OUR STORIES PAGE 11
Community Smiths Falls Healthy Living Festival
PAGE 8
business Mrs. McGarrigles Fine Foods
PAGE 22
Culture Franktown Lilac Festival Celebrates 21 Years
PAGE 20
FIND US ONLINE Facebook/DiscoverPerth Facebook/DiscoverCarletonPlace Aerial view of the Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery in Westport Ontario. Photo Credit : Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery
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