What is Terroir?

As the ancients would say, “to drink is to understand".
For the French, terroir was more important than grape varietals.

Terroir is an expression of a sense of place, a single growing season reflected in a glass. Like artists dabbling on a palette, nature blends the elements. Limestone soils produce the most expressive wines, retain heat and drain easily. The vines drive their roots deep searching for water. They extract the mineral complexities unique to the County, while naturally concentrating flavour.

Yet, it’s more than the soil that makes up a terroir.
It’s the place itself and the traditions of the people there.

• the continuous breeze that keeps grapes dry;
  
  
• the exposure to sunlight for optimum ripening;
  
  
• cool nights to slow ripening for added maturity in multi layers of nuanced flavours
  
  
• a moderating lake-side climate, taking the edge off
  summer’s heat and winter’s cold;
  
  
• low yields, hand picked to reap the bounty of the land;
  
  
• naturally occurring yeasts that some use to bring a
  unique element to our wine
  
  
• winter months allowing vines and vintners alike
  to rest while award-winning fermentations age
  in oak barrels.

The County has the terroir for cool climate wines, brought to life by the passion of both artisan growers and winemakers alike. Its no wonder the County is poised to become Canada’s first cult wine region.