Biodynamic Wines

What is Biodynamic Wines

Logo for Canada Organic Farms

Last week I touched on Red Stone Wineries and how they were a biodynamic winery. This week I want to explore what that actually means.  What does it mean for a winery to be 100 % organic and is it even possible in the modern era.  Well, it's very possible as you will discover today.  

Sheep hard at work at Southbrook

Southbrook Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake proudly claims to be Canada's first organic winery.  This means every drop they produce is 100 % organic.  Their winemaker, Ann Sperling, has gone to unprecedented lengths to prove that you can be biodynamic certified even in a cold climate.  All materials for farm are produced by the farm.  That means even the manure for the soil is produced there.  Instead of using machinery to trim grapevines they use sheep.

Biodynamics was started in 1924 from the lectures of a philosopher named Rudolf Steiner.   Before Steiner's death a group of farmers were concerned with the amount of chemicals being used in agriculture.  These farmers got together with Steiner and the term biodynamic was born.   So a philosopher impacted science and agriculture.  

Southbrook's Wine selection

Southbrook has created some of Niagara's best wines from using this method of farming.  It is important to note that it's not just working with nature, it is relating to nature to certified biodynamic.  Winemaking is an art form to Southbrook.  Honestly, you can drink all their wines because they made them with so much pride in mind.  

The 11th Annual Empty Bowls

Soup, Wine and Charity!

On March 9, 2016 Bethlehem Housing and Support Services hosted their 11th Annual Empty Bowls Charity Fundraiser.  A quick run down on Bethlehem House:

• Founded in 1985.
• Created out of a need to help people who are homeless due to poverty issues, physically disable, mental health conditions, or victims of domestic violence. 
• Between 2014-2015 51 families lived in Bethlehem Place.
• 75% of people who moved out of Bethlehem Housing and into independent home ownership or market housing.  

For over 30 years Bethlehem has been helping families in Niagara Region.  To support this they put on many events; however, their most interesting one to me is Empty Bowls.  Empty Bowls is essentially a soup cook off.  Chefs from around the Niagara Region come to earn bragging rights.  This year there was Weinkeller (who took home first prize for their mussel chowder), El Gastronomo Vagabundo, Dani's Bistro, Johnny Rocco's, Nini Panini Factory (People's Choice Winner), Red Stone, and many more.  Each guest gets a bowl, which is handcrafted and unique.  They also get a drink passport.  This is my favourite part of these events, wine and beer tastings for everyone.  

Red Stone Winery

At Empty Bowls this year Red Stone Winery arrived.  They had brought with them their Riesling.  Red Stone Winery is the new kid on the block.  In the sense it's been open for a year now but I hadn't had a chance to try their wines yet.  Red Stone is also a restaurant.  They don't do tours but they have food and tasting flights, as well as, a wine store.  They are the sister sight to Tawse Winery and both are owned by legendary Moray Tawse.  They have some unique blends of wines at Red Stone.  What makes Tawse's wines so interesting is since 2013 they have been given Organic and Bio-Dynamic Certification.  This means no pesticides, no chemicals and the grapes are picked by hand.  It also means that they treat the soil as if it's a living organism.  There's a lot that goes into and I highly recommend reading their philosophy on vineyards. 

With all my posts I try to recommend a wine for my readers to go out and buy.  This time I'm going recommend you take an adventure.  Go to the Red Stone at 4245 King St. in Beamsville, ON.  You won't be disappointed.  

Travel well my friends.

Cuvée Impact

Education and Wine go together in Niagara

Tonight is the start of Cuvée.  Cuvée is an annual awards gala for the Ontario wine industry.  Starting today and ending on March 6, 2016 wine makers from across Ontario choose their favourite wines for  a grand tasting The Scotiabank Convention Centre.  While it's very interesting and pretty there is actually an impact to Cuvée.  Money raised at the event goes to students learning about wine.   

Last year was a major success for Cuvée.  The event drew people from the industry, the community and event Ontario's Lieutenant Governor.  Last year Cuvée raised a total of $33,000. Out of the $33,000, $5,000 went to the Niagara Community Foundation.    $15,000 was then set up for scholarships and $13,000 went to the wine industry for grape research.  

• Scholarships of $5,000 and $2,500 went to students at Brock University's Oenology and Viticulture bachelor of science program.
• $2,500 went to students pursuing Grape and Wine Technology Certificates.



The event is being hosted for the first time at The Scotiabank Convention Centre.

• An additional $5,000 scholarship for Cuvée award for a graduate of Oenology and Viticulture program.

 Tickets for Cuvée are expensive.  They are about $200 a person this year and chances are really good by the time you are reading this they are sold-out.  However, it's a good event that supports students, and let's be honest, with tuition rates what they are, students could really use the help.  Cheers to you Cuvée keep up the good work.