ProudLy sErvIng PrInCE Edward County sInCE 1830
The Picton Gazette THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013
VOLUME 1 8 3 , N O . 4 4
InsIdE
Campbell’s Orchards, Arcanada B&B, 66 Gilead Distillery tops in region
tHiS week
Three county businesses claim Quinte hardware ‘Friday was a great night all around. It’s great for us to recognize these businesses for their success.’
adaM braMburgEr
TRIUMPH Milk tournament a success on and off ice for minor hockey PagE 3
TREATS
County chefs create tasty sensations for Countylicious PagE 11
TRAILBLAZERS Junior Panthers make history by securing berth at COSSa PagE 23
sECtIons
Looking back.......6 Weather.............6 Editorials.............7 Letters....................8 Puzzles.................16 Classifieds.............18 Sports....................21 CaNaDa’S OLDeSt COMMUNitY NewSPaPer
Staff writer
A panel of independent judges has concluded that the best new business, the best agricultural business, and the best tourism and hospitality business in the Quinte region this year reside in the county. At Friday’s Quinte Business Achievement Awards at Belleville’s Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre it was announced that 66 Gilead Distillery was the best new business in the region. Meanwhile, a Rednersville Road mainstay, Campbell’s Orchards earned the nod for best agribusiness, while Northport’s Arcanada Bed and Breakfast took the prize for tourism and hospitality. “Friday was an excellent night all around,” said Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism and Commerce general manager Mike McLeod. “It’s great for us to recognize these businesses for their success.” Given the large base of businesses in some of t he other municipalities, McLeod said it was truly an honour for the winning businesses that made their mark against some stiff competition. “We had more than anyone else this year,” he said. Not only is 66 Gilead new to this area, it is a trailblazing business among the first bLoody FrIghtEnIng County of Prince Edward Library and Archives man- wave of craft distilleries popager of communications and outreach Christine Renaud and Kendra Denouden put on ping up across Canada. Sophia Pantazi, a their best zombie faces for Tuesday evening’s Zombie Walk. (Chad Ibbotson/Gazette staff) Toronto-based radiologist, who started the business as a sideline with partner Peter Strolz noted that Canadians don’t have many high-end available to them that Nearly 100 participate in spooky celebration Tuesday night spirits are truly Canadian. “A lot of what is available Chad Ibbotson again brought to town by lies,” she said. While Renaud said the is foreign and a lot of the largthe County of Prince Staff writer Edward Public Library and walk is geared for those 12 er Canadian producers are Three years in and the Archives in partnership and older, a few brave little foreign-owend,” she said. zombie horde continues to with Small Pond Arts and ones put on their best zomIn Europe, she pointed out grow. bie face with mom and dad that many regions have their the Regent Theatre. The undead descended own distinct spirits, much Library manager of not far behind. upon downtown Picton on communications and outRenaud said Toronto's like wines and beers, but that Tuesday evening, spread- reach Christine Renaud zombie walk served as the concept had been fairly foring terror along Main said the Library Zombie inspiration and, at first, the eign to Canadians. Street in the search of fresh Walk originated as a fun idea to do it in Picton In recent years, craft disflesh. Approximately Halloween activity for turned some heads. tilleries had popped up in the 90–100 walkers looped east older kids looking to amp “At first when I thought Maritimes and in British toward Tim Hortons before up the scream factor. of it, I think people thought it Columbia and Pantazi and circling back toward the Strolz felt it was an interesting “It seems to have was a little crazy,” she said. Regent Theatre. concept to try. attracted not just teens, but See WALK, page 13 The frightful sight was tons of adults and famiAfter touring distilleries
Zombies roam streets in Picton
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S E C T I O N
MIKE MCLEod
CHaMBer GM using copper stills in Europe and training in the United States, Pantazi said she dusted off her background in organic chemistry and sought a location for the venture. They selected the 80-acre Cooper farm, which used to be among the county’s largest producers of hops and set to work making unique beverages flavoured by the many botanical elements found in the county and grown on or near the farm. Wheat, juniper, coriander, hops, and lavender are just some examples. In just three short years, the distillery has managed to have two of its signature beverages picked up by the for sale in the LCBO. One, the Loyalist Gin, exemplifies what the business is about, according to Pantazi. “It reflects who we are and where we are,” she said. “The idea was what would a gin be like 150 years ago if the Loyalists made one.” The gin uses whole wheat vodka as its base with a blend of local botanicals. The other big seller has been the Canadian Pine Vodka, which is the whole wheat vodka infused with fresh pine needles for aroma. Though the success has come quickly, Pantazi said she doesn’t want to see the distillery grow too big and commercial. Instead, they’ll roll out some whiskys and seek to maintain a focus on craftsmanship and taste. “We want people to come to us to get something different,” she said. “We’ll round out our products in terms of variety and let them mature. Our focus is on ensuring our spirits are well-made.” Pantazi says her small staff plays a large role in that.
See AWARDS, page 10
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