By Chadsey's Cairns Winery and Vineyard
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: By Chadsey's Cairns Winery & Vineyard produces 100 percent estate wines. Wine enthusiasts will discover the tasting room is located in a restored apple house built in the 1840's. The tasting room is open daily from June to October, weekends during the spring and fall, and by appointment.
Near the parking area, several picnic tables are provided for visitors. Several grapevine spheres hang gently swaying in the wind. Travelers to the winery can enjoy walking the pathway from the parking area to the tasting room. On your way to your left pass a nineteenth century cemetary and on your right are vineyards.
By Chadsey's Cairns Winery & Vineyard was started by Richard Johnston and Vida Zalnieriunas, owners, on property that was originally the Chadsey family farm. After living on the property, Richard became interested in planting a vineyard saying, "I think we can grow grapes here." Richard continues there is "something intimate about the winery."
Vineyards
Richard and Vida started planting vineyards in 1999 and 2000. The vineyard soil is limestone and sandy loam. The vineyards are comprised of 24 acres. Varieties in the vineyards include Pinot Noir, Gamay, St. Laurent, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat and Gewürztraminer.
Lake Ontario affects the vineyard. Some grapes will have bud set in July which is late for bud break. However, harvest time arriving a week later offsets this. To protect the vinifera vines from the destructive cold winters, the grapevines are buried in November and uncovered in March/April.
Winemaking and Tasting Room
The tasting room is in an 1840's apple storehouse while the winery is in one of the large weathered barns. The winery opened in 2003. Vida, winemaker, was trained by another winemaker. Vida's palate is very acute, a very good talent to have as a winemaker. She is focused on creating fine, high-end wines. Vida uses old-fashioned winemaking skills for wine production.
The winery produces 2,000 cases and most of this wine is sold in the converted apple house tasting room. Vida describes learning winemaking skills and becomes enthusiastic about describing the first time she discovered Botrytis (Noble Rot) on the grapes.
The 1840’s apple storehouse is a brick building with a front door directly in line with a back door. The doorways form a frame for the vineyard to the back of the building. Notice the wood window coverings held in an upward position. The tasting room is quaint and historic. A deck with tables and chairs provides a space to enjoy the history and the vineyards of this place.
White Wines
Chenin 2010 was a light straw color. Citrus notes were on the aroma and taste. The finish had citrus that yielded to mineral on the finish. Pair this wine with oysters. Chardonnay 2007 was a straw color. The aroma offered apple, pear and caramel notes. The taste had apple and pear notes. The finish was crisp with vanilla and caramel. Chardonnay 2010 had an aroma of pear and the taste had notes of pear and mineral. The finish was crisp and fruity with mineral notes. Rubenesque 2009 was a blend of Muscat, Chardonnay and Gamay. The color was orange/pink. The aroma offered red berry notes while the taste had red berries specifically strawberry and red raspberry notes. The crisp finish had strawberry nuances.
Red Wines
Ruby 2009 was a blend of Gamay and Chardonnay. The color was a light red with an orange hue. The aroma was of red berries. Strawberry notes were on the taste. The finish was crisp with strawberry hints. Pinot Noir 2008 was a dark red. The aroma was of red berry fruit. The taste had red cherries notes with a hint of cherry pits. The finish was very crisp and fruity.
Events
By Chadsey Cairns has several events each year including a Volunteer Harvest, concerts, winemaking dinners, lobster dinner in the barn and a mystery event.
History of the Property
The property on which the vineyards and winery are located was once owned by several generations of the Chadsey family. The story is told of the Cairns name. At one time Ira Chadsey built tall stone structures with the stones from his fields. He was heard to have claimed that the stones were to help him find his way back home when he died. Cairns is Gaelic for a mound of stones.
Enjoy a visit to By Chadsey's Cairns Winery and Vineyard where you will discover estate wines in a renovated 1840's apple storehouse and can listen to the story behind the name of the winery.
By Chadsey's Cairns Winery and Vineyard
17432 Loyalist Pky,
Wellington, Ontario KoK 3LO
GPS: N43º 56.307’ W77º 24.200’
Visit this Winery/vineyard travel agency and Canada winery that partner with Wine Trail Traveler.
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