Kentville, Nova Scotia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Nova Scotia’s reputation as a wine-growing region continues to flourish with award-winning labels and expanding production. In 2018, the province’s 23 licensed wineries produced 1.5 million litres of wine valued at over $23 million, employing over 700 people.
Today, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, officially opened a research winery at the Kentville Research and Development Centre that will help grape growers and vintners hone their production techniques to take full advantage of the province’s unique soils and growing conditions.
The $1.8 million winery will allow researchers to investigate how locally grown varieties, growing conditions and vineyard practices affect the chemistry of the grapes, which in turn influences the finishing characteristics in the wine, including taste and aroma.
Researchers will also study wine making techniques, working with commercial wineries to evaluate the impact of fermentation and temperatures on the quality of wine. That work will include the identification and use of natural yeasts found in Nova Scotia that could contribute to unique characteristics in the province’s wine profiles.