Proposed 17,000-square-foot facility gets rocky reception.
by Roger Klein // Video by Roger Klein
Southern Georgian Bay has long been identified as an emerging wine region. The climate is moderated by waters of the Bay while the Escarpment slopes help drain cold air on frosty mornings.
Over the past decade, craft cideries, breweries, wineries, and distilleries have been a growing part of the area’s agri-tourism scene.
Three boutique wineries have already put down roots. Now a fourth is being developed along The Blue Mountains-Meaford Townline which would be the region’s largest. A proposed 17,000-square-foot facility would include production and storage as well as a tasting room, restaurant and retail space on a hilltop overlooking the Bay.
Jason Miller has been developing a plan for the new winery with the property owner, 227 Investments.
About 30 acres of grapes have already been planted on two properties that straddle the townline. The vineyards include old world vinifera varieties of grape as well as cold-hardy hybrids.
“What we’ve done is develop a winery building concept that takes advantage of the views, takes advantage of the land, takes advantage of the unobstructed views across the Bay,” said Miller.”
At a recent town hall meeting, local residents voiced concerns about the proposal. The town’s zoning bylaws and official plan will require some amendments to allow for the diversified use of space in the winery building. Noise and light pollution were among concerns as well as a possible impact on a limited local groundwater supply. Two threatened bird species were also identified on the property. Another concern was traffic and the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists.
“This is a rural road. It’s not built for that kind of thing,” said area resident Guy Perry.
If approved the new winery would create more than twenty new jobs.
The company held a second meeting at Meaford Hall to share more information and listen to the concerns of residents.
Miller says the results of a number of studies and engineering reports have been posted online in the winery’s application to the municipality. There are also measures to protect the night sky and bird habitat.
“We want this building to look like it’s been there an awful long time. The landscaping will be rural in nature, very functional—native plants native trees,” said Miller.
Miller says changes will be made to try and address some of the neighbours’ concerns. He’s hoping that municipal approvals can be finalized this winter so that construction can begin next summer.
