Muir Murray Estate, Wine Tourism Nova Scotia
Interview on Tourists, Icewine, Vidal & Motivations for Growth
Aug 17, 2009
S101 : Wine tourism in Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley is booming – amongst local, national, and international tourists. From a tourist's perspective, what unique benefits do you feel that the Annapolis Valley offers, and our wine industry, offer to those tourists.
Muir Murray Estate Winery : First of all, it's new, it's a small industry but it's growing extremely quickly. This newness is also novel to savvy wine and agritourists. It's a challenge to grow certain varieties of grapes here, as we're marginal on the temperature scale. We have just enough heat units for some of the hybrids – and perhaps some varieties of vinifera – though the hybrids are the ones that we tend to grow here, such as the L'Acadie or the Marechal Foch.
That is not to say that we cannot grow vinifera – we absolutely can and are moving forward on bringing some varieties to fruition shortly.
Chardonnay and Reisling are a bit more difficult to plant and harvest in this climate, though those varieties are certainly being attempted and produced here.
The evolution from from the table grape growing, to the hybrids, to the vinifera, began first in Canada in British Columbia. Currently in Nova Scotia, we're up-and-comers, but we produce some of the most unique and interesting wines in the world.
The area is also very hospitable to tourists. We're only an hour away from Halifax, and that allows visitors and tourists to simply drive down, visit all of the local wineries, our local restaurants, and one of many bed and breakfast establishments here in the Annapolis Valley.
We also are looking at providing a similar experience. We plan to purchase some yurts, made locally here in the Gaspereau Valley, and to place five on our estate – so that tourists who are interested in staying with us on holiday, working in the vineyards, actually taking part in the industry first-hand and learning about viticulture – so you can actually be shown how to work in the industry, become connected with winemaking and understand where your wine comes from.
S101 : What new varieties / products, amenities, or services do you plan on offering in the next few years at Muir Murray?
Muir Murray Estate Winery : I think there's a lot of strength in the icewine industry so we'll be planting some Vidal, New York Muscat is another contender that we'd like to introduce, a wine that we can grow on north-facing slopes.
South-facing is traditionally the money-maker but it's not truly as critical as the hype might have you believe. There are plenty of fine varieties that will grow north-facing in this particular area.
S101 : Finally Dr. Murray, what would say is personally most fulfilling, for you personally, about being involved in the wine industry?
Muir Murray Estate Winery : To see something produced, bought and sold that I've created, and seeing it flourish. Knowing that it will probably carry on after I've gone. To leave a heritage, if you'd like.
S101 : Thank you very much for your time today. Dr. Jonathan Murray, from the newly opened Muir Murray Estate Winery.
Muir Murray Estate Winery : Thank you very much.
Miss the earlier portions of the interview? Dr. Murray discusses his clientele, tastings, and awards as well as going on to discuss agritourism and the importance of the local economy.
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