Grape stomping, an annual favourite, at the 2011 Nova Scotia Fall Wine Festival. Photo: Winery Association of Nova Scotia Grape stomping, an annual favourite, at the 2011 Nova Scotia Fall Wine Festival. Photo: Winery Association of Nova Scotia

Celebrating Nova Scotian wine

By | Sep 10, 2012

The Nova Scotia Fall Wine Festival kicks off this week, showcasing wines made throughout the province, classic maritime dishes and more. Hosted by the Winery Association of Nova Scotia (WANS), it runs from September 13 to October 14. “The idea is for people to explore and experience what the harvest season is like for the wineries and the work that goes into the amazing local wines that we have,” says WANS spokesperson Christine White.

From Jost Vineyards in Malagash, Sugar Moon Farm in Earltown and Annapolis Highland Vineyards to restaurant wine-pairing dinners, there’s a long list of events each year. White says grape stomping at Sainte-Famille Wines in Falmouth has become an annual favourite, along with the Go North Tours’ Perfect Pairings Progressive tour at Avondale Sky Winery.

The Fall Wine Festival has gained a larger audience in recent years, says White, including tourists from New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and the United States. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of WANS. With 12 winery members on board and a focus on home-grown products, there’s a basic reason for its success.

“People tend to think eating local is a trend, and it really isn’t,” says White. “We’ve being doing it in Nova Scotia forever…we’re really just coming back to something that’s natural to us.” 

To view this year’s Nova Scotia Fall Wine Festival schedule, visit winesofnovascotia.ca.

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