European grape varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay comprise the largest part of our plantings.  Mediterranean in origin, they’re vulnerable to the coldest part of our winters.  Although Winter was gentle this year, in February there were still a couple of days where temperatures plunged close to -30 degrees.  So most of the buds above ground will […]
With only a hundred litres of wine to show for hundreds of hours of farming the back acre block, we’ll make a sparkling and call it the Heartbreak wine.  We’ll raise a toast to hard work and labours lost, and look forward to our big harvest this year.  It’ll take more than a hard frost to take the sparkle from our eyes and
The Heartbreak Wine Read More »
As our kids grow into teenagers, Broken Stone Winery Airstream HQ has become decidedly crowded.  And Nanna wants to stay with us.  The trailer was never practical for an octogenarian, so Nanna stays at B&Bs when she visits.  As comfortable as the nearby Lavender Farm is with its gracious hosts Derek and Rolande, Nanna would much rather wake up at our vineyard for breakfast
A Cottage in the Vineyard Read More »
Fall came and went in a flurry of happy faces.  On the second last day of our season, we sold the last bottles of our Chardonnay and Simplicity. So we pulled some of the 2015 Riesling No2 out of the tank, and started pre-selling that, just so that we would have a white wine for people
A Long Winter’s Nap Ahead Read More »
Our daughter Ellie is ten years old — and the perfect size to climb into a big tank to clean it out for harvest! First we heat up the big stainless steel tank by hosing it down with hot water. Then Ellie climbs in with a mop and scrubs the sides a little with a
Inside the Tanks at Broken Stone Winery Read More »
We love things green and growing and creating with our own hands. But for those of us seeking the joy of reconnecting with the land, sometimes the struggle is difficult. It’s full of joy and sorrow, success and failure. From an event point of view, our harvest party was a big success. The weather was great, the Whoahh Nellie!
Invictus Agricola Read More »
Once again our Harvest Party will be on the first Saturday of October. Â We’ll likely restrict the number of attendees this year so please contact us ahead of time to reserve your spot! Proposed Itinerary 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – harvest grapes 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – a hearty meal and a glass
Cecil and his brother Gary have been tending our vines for the last couple of years.  Cecil’s out there day after day in all sorts of weather — hoeing weeds, tucking vines, pulling leaves, pounding posts, deploying netting — doing whatever needs to be done to help us grow high quality wine grapes. It’s only with
On a lazy Sunday afternoon in August, our sunflowers are at the height of their glory.
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Last year we filled the empty areas in our fields with 2.5 more acres of vines. Often, people ask for a more full-bodied red, so we added an acre of Cabernet Franc. We expanded our Pinot Gris plantings, and we completed our Chardonnay vineyard. Planting day was in late June 2014, because it was too wet for the
Frost, Flood, and Drought – That’s Farming! Read More »