Pause for Tawse

Tawse of Niagara

If you haven't heard of Tawse Winery let me tell you that you need to know about it! Tawse is in our very own backyard here in Ontario, Canada. It is in the heart of our Niagara region. I had heard so much about this winery and finally last summer I actually was able to venture down for a first hand visit. From the moment we turned onto the property you knew that there was something special going on here.

As you can see from the photo the grounds are absolutely beautiful. They are beautiful in part due to the philosophy Tawse have taken on as protectors of their environment. By that I mean they farm biodynamically. They follow the principles of caring for their vineyards and all of the resulting bi-products in an environmentally and eco-friendly manner. The most famous user of these principles is Domaine Leroy of Burgundy and her wines are the top echelon of prestige for wine collectors.

At the beginning of the 20th Century Rudolph Steiner was the man famous for putting forward this idea of biodynamic farming which includes organic agriculture's emphasis on manures and composts and exclusion of the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. From the photo above you can see what I mean. No you are not imagining things. Yes, actual sheep have been "Hired" as they say at Tawse for the purpose of canopy management (meaning they eat the leaves thereby exposing the growing grapes to the much needed sunlight and air circulation). As a result of the sheep dining in the vineyards they leave behind special gifts which when used biodynamically aid in the healthy fertilization of the vineyards. They use cover crops ( in the photo are other plants growing within the rows of the vines) which also aid in the vines and the vineyards healthy promotion and growth.

To further their philosophy of biodynamic farming this year Tawse will have 2 horses working plowing the land . Ah yes, this too reminds me of someone else in Burgundy by the name of Marcel Pariaud who still to this day uses his horse "Hermine" to do the plowing. As he says "you've got to learn to listen to nature, because she rewards those who love her".

Well at Tawse mother nature has spoken and the resultant wines truly speak for themselves. They are magic! I most recently had their Cabernet Franc and all I can say is "Look out Loire Vally, 'cos here comes Tawse of Niagara Canada!

Cheers

Jacqueline

p.s You must visit their website at http://www.tawsewinery.ca/ and then head right down. There is so much more to learn about Tawse Winery and all that they do to achieve these amazings wines. I have only touched the surface. That pond out front! Mmmm... Have I peaked your interest? The roses all around the grounds...mmmm.....What do they mean to the vineyard? I could tell you all about it but you really must experience it first hand just as I did. You won't be disappointed. Tell them Jacqueline from DiVine Indulgence (my wine company) or Notes on a Vine Blog sent you!!