83
Summer 2013
Escarpment Magazine
Coffin Ridge is Grey County's first commercial winery, having opened for retail in 2008. The name comes from
Coffin Hill which can be seen from the vineyard, and from Coffin Cove to the north. “The theme and marketing
followed from the name,” explains general manager Mike Todd. “We try not to be too obvious about it.”
Part of Coffin Ridge's appeal is its gothic style, which is reflected in everything from the black-and-red muskoka
chairs to the coffin-shaped display boxes. The wines, too, are themed, sporting names such as Back from the
Dead Red and Into the Light White. But that is where the kitchiness ends because the bottles themselves contain
award-winning wines. Three of Coffin Ridge's wines have won double-gold at a recent wine competition, meaning
they were the top-scoring wines in their categories.
It took years of experimentation before the winery hit its stride. The area hadn't been planted with grapes, so a
great deal of trial and error took place as owner Neil Lamont experimented with different varieties.
Unique to Coffin Ridge is the acadie blanc, a hybrid grape that was developed in Niagara in 1953. Engineered
to withstand colder temperatures, the acadie blanc didn't fare well in hot Niagara and most of the crop was de-
stroyed. A handful of vines made their way to Nova Scotia where they thrived in the cooler climate, and now the
acadie blanc is finding itself at home in Grey County. The growing season is about two weeks shorter here than
it is in Niagara, meaning the grapes have to ripen earlier. Cold-hardy grapes like the acadie blanc are perfectly
suited to the climate, and the vines can withstand the harsh winter.
*
Together these
culinary attractions
of fer locals and
visitors a taste of
the region's history
and potential.
