Kin Vineyards – this is a snapshot from their website’s main page.
This spring I heard about a winery in Westport, ON, about halfway between Ottawa and Kingston called Scheurermann Vineyards. I thought to myself – now those people are really pushing the envelope!
Fast forward a couple of weeks, and Deb and I are walking around our local farmers market in Carp (just in the far west end of Ottawa), and Deb spots a winery named Kin Vineyards with a booth. I exclaim “Wow, that’s weird…they can’t sell wine here unless they are VQA!”. We wander over to the booth and to our amazement, they are growing vinifera and making VQA wines…right here in the west end of Ottawa. So if Scheuermann is pushing the envelope, these folks have burst right through it!
Brian Hamilton has been hired to help with winemaking duties (Brian is also the winemaker at Southbrook Vineyards). In a similar style to Southbrook, Kin is going organic and biodynamics with their vineyard management. They have several varieties planted, including Cabernet Franc, Vidal, and a couple of hybrids in addition to the wines they have advertised to date.
Proporietor Christopher Van Barr tells me that Kin has so far released a Marechal Foch (“Understory”) and an unoaked Chardonnay (“Civil Grit”). The flagship “Kin” wines will follow, with an oaked Chardonnay out soon, and a planned Pinot Noir release. With 16 acres under vine in both Kinburn and Carp, the winery will eventually be located in Carp. For now there is no winery to visit and wines can be purchased at the farmer’s market. I hope to get out to visit the vineyards and report back soon.
Civil Grit Chardonnay
I bought both the released wines, but have only opened the Chardonnay so far. Here’s what I tasted:
2014 Civil Grit Chardonnay: This first release was made in Kinburn, but used fruit from Niagara. Loads of citrus and minerality on the nose. The palate is fresh with crisp green apple, lemon, and bright acidity. The lemon pith kicks in and leaves a lasting pithy finish. It is a bit lean, but still pretty impressive for a first vintage! Perfect with shellfish, salads, or sipping on a hot summer afternoon like we did!
Kin Vineyards
613.407.6171
info@kinvineyards.com
Visit them at the Carp Farmers market most Saturdays (check them out on Facebook for other appearances).