Growwiners in East Central Ontario

BRYAN PELL is planting a vineyard near Peterborough on a South-West facing hill at his 'Peregrine North Farm' this year. Planting is starting with 25 each of Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling. For reds - 25 Leon Millot, 50 Pinot Noir and a yet unknown number of Landot Noir. (His good friend L.F.W. is adding 15 Sangiovese). He plans to add about 200 more vines each year depending on outcome. Bryan redefined beginner's luck as his very first wine (Autumn Bliss Raspberry from Caza Berry Farm) won Silver at the 2000 Growwine championship and is headed to the All-Ontario's in June. But his second wine (1999 Pinot Noir, Vagners Vyd) was Bronze (It’s all downhill {SW Facing} now...) Email Bryan Pell

CENTRAL ONTARIO VINICULTURE ASSOCIATION Formed in 2000, members include those with vines in the ground since 1993. You can visit the COVA Home Page for more information, including a link to a brief history.

HUGH JOHNSTONE is retired from the LCBO where he served many years as the head of the province’s wine consultants. I believe he first served Al Capone on a cross-border trip. (NO HE’S NOT THAT HUGH JOHNSON- the “real” one has better facial hair.) Now that he is in the real world, he has planted 33 vines in very rocky soil in Fenelon Falls. His Baco, Seyval and Chardonnay are unlikely to rival the taxpayer-funded libations he is used to, but the old goat is occasionally surprising. Time will tell - but Hugh won’t. Hugh was also a founding partner in Wally’s Folly in Buckhorn. It’s kind of nice to see the beaurocrat out doing real work in the vineyard...now if he could only catch fish to go with his whine! (Written by the Little Fat Wino). Email the Old Goatee himself

KEN AND MARG FIELDING have a brand new vineyard this year occupying .01 of an acre on a south facing slope (the lawn) on the shores of Lake Kashawigamog in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands. Five Landal and six Landot Noir vines will see if they can survive winters half way to the North Pole. The vines will be coaxed along with copious amounts of their liquid fermented brethren from the deck above. <<<(ed note: it's amazing the work & travel that Ken has put into getting these vines).>>> Ken and Marg both work for Subway, developing restaurants in Eastern and Northern Ontario. That'll be a Hot Roast Chicken sub with lettuce, tomato, onion, green peppers and a Landot!! Email Ken & Marg Fielding

KEN MALEY, BSC (??Baco-Slurping Chemist??) works at Lakefield Research, located in Lakefield north of Peterborough. Ken's experience analyzing heavy metals and poisons for his employer has been of great assistance to his career as an amateur winemaker. Seriously, his first wine entered into Amateur competition (a 1993 Vidal Icewine made from Reif Vineyard juice) went all the way to the top, winning best of show at the All-Canadian Championships. A founding partner in Wally's Folly, Ken made the 1999 red from the Folly, the first wine from grapes grown north of Lake Ontario to win an international award (Bronze at Invervin 2000). He also grows 3 Merlot and a Seyval in Peterborough. He calls this skunkfood as the skunks get to them before he does. Is skunkiness another shot at this chemophobic winemaker? Email Ken Maley

LARRY PATERSON Larry Peterson was discovered in a cradle, crafted from reeds, afloat in Cranberry Bay (or so his father says). At our first meeting Larry was kind enough to explain that wine should be tasted and never swallowed. I conveyed my feelings in this regard and consequently hold the distinction of being the only person to have changed Larry's mind about anything. Larry's successes are many; husband, father, accountant, vineyard founder, Champion of Ontario's Wine Growers, progenitor of Growwine, nourisher of insects and rodents, and Candidate for the Order of Canada. To the surprise of no-one, investigation by the Government of Canada showed that Barbara, Larry's wife, was more deserving of the award. However, Officialdom, feeling that some form of recognition was indeed in order, adopted the suggestion of their French counterpart, and are currently renaming a variety of wild yeast (Saccharomyces pestilens) in Larry's Honor. Congratulations my Friend! (Written by Hugh Johnstone) Email Larry Paterson

LEE ETHERINGTON with wife Wendy owns Caza Berry Farms near Buckhorn (more information). He is well known by area amateur winemakers as the source for fresh fruit for winemaking, as he is a serious fruit winemaker himself. He knows that for berries as well as grapes it is the quality of the fruit that determines the quality of the wine. Email Lee and Wendy at Caza Berry Farm

MANFRED HECKE tends Auxerrois, Landot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Traminette and Cabernet Franc (about 40 vines in total). They were first planted in his backyard in beautiful north-end Peterborough in 1997. In 1999, the first crop was bottled. He is known for a green thumb with vine cuttings. He has to share his vineyard with momma duck and 9 eggs. God help him when they hatch... Email Manfred Hecke

NAOKO DUGGER is our favourite Japanese import. Naoko graduated from the Chef Apprentice program at Sir Sandford Fleming College, Peterborough, in June 2000. Naoko spent more than a year working in both the winery and restaurant at Strewn Winery in Niagara. She is now happily married to Kevin Dugger and has returned to Peterborough. Naoko has been a partner in Wally’s Folly Vineyard in Buckhorn. She is also a member of the Growwine Amateur Winemaking Club, and of the Amateur Winemakers of Ontario. Email Naoko Dugger.

PAUL WARD Worked in TV and stereo repair for 4 years, then took employment with CHEX-TV as a Technician. In 1989 he graduated from SSFC as an Engineering Technician. In 1996 Paul took on the responsibilities of Chief Engineer. He maintains CHEX-TV (Ch 12) in Peterborough and Oshawa (Ch 22) and the radio stations Wolf (101.5 FM) and CKRU radio (980 KHZ AM) in Peterborough. His interest in wine making started in 1999 with good friend Rick Wagner. To date he has produced one award winning wine (a Sauvignon Blanc) and promises to make many more this year (all of award level of course) Look out Larry! Email Paul Ward.

RICK WAGNER is an engineer and a founding partner of Winsome Heights. WH (located southeast of Rice Lake) is planted to more than 100 vines including Seyval Blanc, Baco Noir, Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch and Auxerrois. He is also a partner in Wally's Folly and grows Hybrids, Merlot and Cab Franc at home. Rick is "El Press-i-daunted" of the Growwine AWO Club. Wife Donna has her hands full. Email Rick Wagneror take a look at his winemaking recipe for raspberry "sherry"

WALLY HENRY is an engineer who worked on Canada's Avro Arrow and with computers for Hydro in the 1950's. In 1994 he planted a vineyard he refers to as "Mosquito Creek" and his vineyard partners call "Wally's Folly". It is located North of Peterborough on the edge of the Canadian Shield. Visit his Site and see Mosquito Creek Vineyard at Buckhorn, Ontario You can also send Email to Wally

Growers Page www.littlefatwino.com