Invest in Nova Scotia Wines

A Rich Heritage of Agriculture

Although berry and fruit research has been carried out in Nova Scotia for many years, specific research on grape varieties is only beginning to reap results for growers in Nova Scotia.

Terroir Research
Terroir research is the first step toward creating a provincial appellation system. The Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia has been actively involved with terroir research at Acadia University.

Grape Varieties
The Grape Growers Association helped initiate and fund a test wine program for new grape varieties in conjunction with the National Research Council, the winery association and the province. These grapes were developed at an Agriculture Canada research centre in Kentville, in the 1990s. The test wines from these grapes were made by Bruce Ewert, a B.C. winemaker who moved east in 2004 to open a winery. Nova Scotia has unique grape varieties that other regions don't and these new grapes are specifically tailored to the climate of Nova Scotia.

Another local winemaker Gerry McConnell agrees that local research is important to the growth of the industry. He believes that in 10 to 20 years Nova Scotia will be recognized for very distinctive, special flavours that will be the future of the Nova Scotia wine brand.

Dr. Conor Vibert and Dave Sheehan at Acadia University have been working over the past several years to capture local research and development in the wine industry. They have been interviewing industry stakeholders to gather their thoughts and ideas about the future of the industry.

Click the video below to listen to Bruce Ewert, co-owner and winemaker of L'Acadie Vineyards, discuss the unique advantages and challenges to growing grapes in Nova Scotia.

Video courtesy the Acadia International Executive Insight Series and Acadia University

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Acadia University - Industry & Community Engagement

Welcome to the Office of Industry and Community Engagement (ICE), which serves as Acadia's primary point of contact for industry, government, and community groups interested in research, commercialization and outreach activities.

Atlantic Canadian Wine Industry Partnering Forum

On June 3, 2010, Acadia University, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), the Winery Association of Nova Scotia (WANS) and the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia (GGANS) hosted a one day Partnering Forum that explored potential research and education collaborations between representatives from the Atlantic Canadian wine industry and academic/government partners.

The event was an opportunity for representatives from the Atlantic Canadian wine industry to meet and exchange ideas with scientists and experts in the field, and to build collaborations that will help strengthen this growing industry.

Organic Approach to Growing/Planting to Achieve Vibrant Viticulture Growth - Dr. Martin Tango, Engineering, Acadia University

Use of Cover Crops for Sustainable Wine Grape Production - Dr. Mehdi Sharifi Nova Scotia Agricultural College

Development of an Integrated Pest Management System for Insect and Mite Pests in Nova Scotia Vineyards - Dr. Kirk Hillier, Biology, Acadia University