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ESCARPMENT
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GrandviewFarms
This expansive family farm, locatedon topof theEscarp-
ment on theoutskirts of Thornbury, has quietlybeen col-
lecting hardware from some of the most prestigious
culinary and epicure events in the countrywith their
grass fedbeef andpasture raisedpigs. Recently the
“Book forMen”named theirbeef as theBest Steak
inCanada, andChef JohnHorneofCanoewon
theToronto2014GoldMedalPlateusingGrand-
viewFarms’ Short Ribsglazedwith tree syrups.
Raisedwithout theuseof hormonesorantibiotics,Grand-
view’s cowsandpigsare free to roamamongst annual crops in-
cluding local apples andpears. The result of these efforts ismeat
that isexceptionallydelicious,wellmarbledandmost important,
extremely healthy. In fact,Grandviewbeef has beenproven to
be300%healthier than commoditybeef, withanOmega6 to3
ratioof4.9:1, according toUniversityof Torontonutritionists.
Grass fedgrazinganimalshave three to five timesmoreCLA (Conju-
gated LinoleicAcid) than grain fedanimals. This unique nutrient is a
powerful fattyacid that hasbeen shown tohavebeneficial effectsonweight-loss, car-
diovascular disease, immune function, inflammation, food inducedallergic reactions
andosteoporosis.Raisinganimals thateatgrass isalsomoreenvironmentally friendlyas
it reduceswater pollutionand erosion levels.Nutrients are returned to the soil through
theanimals’manure, creatinganatural, sustainableorganic fertilizer.
GrandviewFarmsproudlyproducesRollingMeadowDairy’sgrass fedmilk, butterand
yogurtaswellasLifeChoicesBrand. LifeChoicesofferspremiumconveniencemeatprod-
ucts includinghot dogs, burgers, sausages, breadedchicken, breaded fish, pizzasand
more. Look for theLifeChoices label in theNatural sectionof your localgrocery storeor
natural food store.
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FourWheel Farm
Tucked into thepurplehillsofCreemore
sits FourWheel Farm, a150-year-old
boutiquewinery, organicmarket
garden, orchardand traditional
maple sugarbush.Withopen-air
breezesoff theEscarpment and
south facing slopes, this location
hasprovenparticularly ideal forgrowing themanyvarietals
of grapes usedat the vineyard.Wines are handcraftedby
vigneronChuckMagwood ina small barnon the edgeof
thevineyard.Winterhybrids includeFrontenac,Sabrevious,
andMarechal Foch as well as BaroNoir, Vidal (for ice-
wine)andseveralEuropeanviniferas (PinotNoir,PinotGris,
ChardonnayandCabernet Franc).Eachvineat FourWheel
Farm ispruned, tiedandweededbyhand.
Produce from theorganicmarketgarden reflects itsseasonal
planting. Thegreenhouse jump-starts the seasonwithearly
greenswhileasparagus is first up in the two-acrevegetable
garden. Thegarden is constantly changingwith each sea-
son, sprouting strawberries, raspberries, melons, squash,
garlic, sweet corn, chard, kale, tomatoes and root vegeta-
bles. Theolderorchard featuresRedDelicious,GoldenDe-
licious,Macintosh, IdaRedandSpartan. Theneworchard
hasvariousheirloomvarietalsplusHoneyCrisp, three types
of pear, plumsandcherries—all organic!
Fruitsandvegetables from theirorganicmarketgardenand
orchardaresold in theweeklyCollingwood farmersMarket.
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GeorgianHillsVineyards
OnGreyRoad2, just west of Ravenna sitsGeorgianHills Vineyards (GHV).Now
anestablishedyear-roundhot-spot, this local vineyard is rewriting thebookonOn-
tariowinesand their recent successesat the2012OntarioWineAwards (atwhich
theMarechal Fochwon thesilvermedal)proves thatnotallofOntario’sbestgrapes
aregrown inNiagara.As thevinesestablishdeeper roots in theescarpment soil,ad-
justing toour local climate, theGeorgianHillswinemakersare taking fulladvantage
of theopportunity to improveon theircool climategrapevarietiesofnorthernEurope
that havebeenproven tobehardyandmakeoutstandingwine.
Due toour northern latitude, almost on the45
th
parallel, the influence of a cooler
great lake,coolnightsandsunnydrydaysallowGHV toproducevibrant, fruitdriven,
refreshing, aromatic stylewhitewines. Specifically Riesling, Chardonnay, Seyval
Blanc andVidal Blanc are theprimary grape varietieswith smaller blocks of Pinot
Gris andGewürztraminer. Like northern Europe, GHV produces lighter style red
winesbalancedwithgood fruit,acidityanddelicate tannins. Thegrapevarietiesmost
suited forour climateareGamayNoir, PinotNoir,Maréchal FochandBacoNoir.
Togrowgrapes thatmakedelicious sweetwinterwinesyouneed the right climate.Withguaranteed temperaturesof -8
℃
or colder,
GHVmakes sweet winter wines every year in the traditional icewinemethod. Inaddition, they have twomedal winning iced fruit
winesnaturally frozenmade fromappleorpear. Theultimate finishing touch foracool climatewinery is tomakeagood, local "bub-
bly",whether Traditional orCharmatmethod. Eitherway, theygrow theperfect grapes formakingpremium sparklingwines.At this
moment it is "awork inprogress".Meanwhile try their local sparklingpearwine, youwill benicely surprised.GHValsomakes im-
pressiveRoséwines. TIP: Experienceyour ownpersonal tastingon thepatio, at picnic tables, under anapple treeor in the comfort
of the tasting room.
496350 Grey Road 2
GRASSFED
PASTURERAISED
HORMONEFREE
LOCALLY
GROWN
AND
PRODUCED
SUMMER
2015
