Harvest 2025
It has certainly been one of the most challenging vintages that I can recall here in Prince Edward County. For 10 weeks starting at the end of June there was virtually no rain, coupled with scorching heat through all of July. Wells ran dry. The vast majority of vineyards had to resort to water totes in pickup trucks being continuously refilled in bulk from Lake Ontario. Crews were out manually watering every vine row by row. See the CBC story about Broken Stone Winery (complete with video) if you’d like learn about what wineries had to resort to in order to save the vintage.
I was reminded of a Zoom session back in the days of Covid that included a number of County winemakers. Each winemaker was asked to describe the biggest challenge of the future in making wine here. Lots of interesting answers, but Keith Tyers of Closson Chase said that drought would be the biggest challenge of the future. Certainly seems prophetic in 2025.
Agriculture is at the forefront of climate change impact. Ontario is on average seeing a 5+ day shift in the growing season in each of the last 2 decades, and annual precipitation levels are on the decline. This will fundamentally change the industry, increase the challenges, and place it at more risk. The corn and soya bean crops in Prince Edward County this season were a disaster.
A couple of decent rainfalls in late August and early September brought welcome relief, though penetration of water deeper into the soil is going to take some significant late fall rain and a good amount of snow this coming winter, coupled with early spring rains. The impact of a drought is not just in the current season if there isn’t a correction in the following fall, winter and early spring.
The pictures above are the Churchside vineyard at Closson Chase just prior to harvest. I love the blue sky colour and sun angles here during the fall.
Harvest is mostly complete throughout the County. Only some of the Cabernet Franc remains to be picked, and it is quite resilient to the lighter frosts we have been receiving over the last week or so. Everything should be picked by month end (excepting the few wineries that grow Vidal and may hold some back for a late harvest sweet wine).
So what’s the verdict on 2025? Every winemaker I’ve talked with indicates that yields are average and to 50% below average. Depends on location in the County, the vineyard and the variety. Terroir matters significantly here. Chardonnay seems to have taken the biggest hit. The fruit quality across the board is outstanding because of the dry heat. Some long time winemakers here are telling me it is the best quality harvest ever. I am hearing the same about Niagara. So when those 2025’s start coming out next year and in 2027, I think the early recommendation is to get ‘em on release because they won’t last long on the winery shelves.
I do want to mention the first vintage from the County’s newest winery, Volta Estates. Their vines are now old enough for the first harvest in 2025. They have just released a 2023 vintage of wines produced from grapes purchased from other PEC vineyards. Volta is located on the west side of Loyalist Parkway just before the hamlet of Rosehall. Many of us here are closely watching Volta. The owners have deep pockets. Their vineyard manager is Edgar Ramirez who has been at the forefront of grape growing here for over 2 decades, and is highly regarded. Volta has also grabbed winemaker Chris Thompson from Lighthall Vineyards. Chris did some great things at Lighthall, and is one of the names on everyone’s tongue when we look at the new generation of young winemakers in the County. Volta will not open a tasting room until 2027 or 2028 (building permits are still in review by the County), and their wines are currently only being sold at restaurants and bottle shops. Here in the County they can be purchased at Decanter PEC in Wellington. Nothing online as yet. I can highly recommend their Amphora Chardonnay (they have released 3 different Chardonnay’s, a Pinot Noir and a Marquette).
