By Chadsey's Cairns Winery

By Chadsey's Cairns Vineyard is named after one of the region's first settlers, Ira Chadsey. It was he who erected the stone mounds (called "cairns") that can still be seen, in part, behind the farm. History tells us that he would have done this to have a landmark in the afterlife when he came back to life in the skin of a white horse.

Today, the vineyard is an iconic reference in the County.

https://bychadseyscairns.com/?lang=fr

We grow the grapes we make our wines with:
100% genuine Prince Edward County wines.

These wines are all made from traditional and refined grape varieties: chardonnay and pinot noir, worthy of the great tables; ever popular riesling and gewurztraminer (often with a touch of noble rot); refreshing black gamay, bistro style; and other rare grape varieties such as the very fragrant Muscat Ottonel, the mineral-rich Chenin Blanc, and the Saint-Laurent particularly generous in blackberries.

Pioneers in wine

Like all good Prince Edward County wine stories, ours starts off with a hint of madness.

In 1995, Richard Johnston (former NDP MP for Scarborough West and former President of Centennial College who held so many positions it would take too long to list them here) accepted a job with the Mohawks of Tyendinaga. His wife, Vida Zalnieriunas, then a psychotherapist, insisted that they settle in the county: she was keen on living in the countryside, near rivers, bucolic landscapes and artists.

So they bought a 200 year old farm, which had 4 barns as well as a most charming red brick building called "La cidrerie", the construction of which dates back to 1850, when there were orchards in abundance.

During a walk on a gray November day in their new estate, Richard and Vida stop to contemplate the cornfield behind the cider house, which is of particular importance to them: it is precisely here that their children (born in the city) had taken pleasure in losing themselves in the dense rows of ears of corn, on the famous summer day when they met real estate agent Chuck Slik (a name that cannot be invented: in English, the adjective slick designates someone with more than one trick up their sleeve!) who sold them the property that day! But at the time of their walk, there was only 6 acres of thatch left of the field ...

So Richard, inspired by his beautiful memories of walks in stony vineyards in France, and no doubt also by his love of wine, exclaims: “I think we could plant vines here! "(Even a psychotherapist can have difficulty controlling an imbalance ...)

To which his wife replied: "Are you crazy?" - logical question for Vida when one thinks of her training. "Do you have any idea of ​​the enormous amount of work that such a project would require?" (Richard could certainly implement social policies, but what does this man who works in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario know about viticulture? The County is a region that has never done it before? subject of wine trials, after all!)

It does not matter: after 3 years of relentless lobbying, Richard obtains (finally - and with great difficulty!) Support for the acquisition of 3,000 Riesling vines, saying to himself (a fine fox that he is!): " You might as well make it big! "

The spring of 1999 enjoys an exceptional climate…. except May 7, when 30 family and friends have to hand plant vines on an area as large as a football field. They may be dressed in a bright yellow raincoat, but you can hardly see them through the haze and cold drizzle. These novices have the distinct impression of reliving the times of their ancestors: kneeling in the mud, digging holes with a sore back, in rows of earth stretching out as far as the eye can see like a nightmare that never ends. no more.

OUR WINES

In our small artisanal winery, we use our expertise to produce wines made from grapes from the vines of our vineyard, suitable for cool climates. These classic fine wines are produced 100% on the property, in small batches and in barrels. To do this, we employ various processes: some of them are new while others are even older than our historical domain.

To capture the most heady aromas and the most penetrating flavors, we work first and foremost to pick the best grapes possible after having carefully tended the vines by hand throughout a long season. 

Riesling 2017 $ 23.20

It is not a dry Riesling, but its liveliness with citrus notes with a slight residual sweetness gives it a special place in the dry white category. Its floral aromas and its underlying crunchiness add to its complexity. A good, refreshing and complete table wine. Also very appreciable to sip as an aperitif. You choose ! Since this is a slightly more acidic riesling, it can cut through thick creams and fatty dishes, just as well as encountering acidic foods, such as citrus or tomato based dishes. . It can also cool you down on a sweltering summer night or rekindle the promise of summer on a cold winter's wake.

Gamay Noir 2019 $ 29.20

A good Gamay is delicious with foods that have a fat content: anything that is cheese, fried or grilled. A medium-bodied red loaded with spicy cherries. Aged in French oak of medium toast. Pairs well with a relaxed atmosphere that requires a bit of palate cleansing and chin wiping. It's even okay to cool a Gamay down slightly on a hot summer day.

3-Point Hitch ( 3 Point Hitch ) 2019 29.20 $

Our red blend creates a link between Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir and you. Notes of blackberries, cherries and toasted oak. Another medium-bodied, fun, bistro-style red that pairs well with deliciously fatty foods. Eminently drinkable. Like a real masterpiece, this traditional French blend combines the brilliance of Gamay with the gravity of Pinot. Named after a revolutionary coupling device for tractors

Pinot Noir 2019 $ 32.20

A classic Comté Pinot that displays a nice interplay between layers of cherry, pepper and earth. From our King Eddie vineyard, the grapes were hand picked and sorted before fermentation in barrels and aging in French oak barrels. Dry, medium bodied and silky. We love it with Atlantic salmon or grilled lamb. Will age well, but it's hard to resist now… A particularly fine vintage.

CONTACT U.S

17432 Loyalist Parkway
Wellington, Ontario
K0K 3L0
(613) 399-2992
info@bccwinery.com