Benjamin Bridge releases another vintage of Nova 7, expands to Japan
Benjamin Bridge Winery in Gaspereau has released its eighth vintage of Nova 7. The winery produced close to 11,000 cases of the 2014 vintage of Nova 7. This follows the wine’s continued and unprecedented growth in Nova Scotia over the last 12 months, up nearly 40 per cent over the same period a year ago. And, for the second year in a row, Nova 7 has been Nova Scotia’s top selling white wine, outpacing all domestic and imported wines.
The Nova Scotia release will be followed by others across Canada, with plans to grow the Japanese market after a successful initial shipment late last fall.
Nova 7’s success has allowed the company to expand its team as well. Founded by mining executive Gerry McConnell and his late wife, lawyer Dara Gordon, the family operation has been managed by their daughters, Devon and Ashley, since 2009, with a growing team that includes cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles, as well as other local and international talent.
Most recently, Bastien Warskotte, who hails from Champagne, France and worked at Champagne Jean Vesselle, joined the team as assistant winemaker. Scott Savoy, who grew up in Miramichi and worked as vineyard manager at Pearl Morissette Estate Winery in Ontario, is Benjamin Bridge’s new vineyard manager.
General manager Devon McConnellGordon explained, “We are a very close knit group and we’re developing an incredible team that shares a passion and commitment to building something very special in the Gaspereau Valley. And though we may not all be related, we are definitely a family – and all of us are extremely proud to be living and working in rural Nova Scotia.”
Following last year’s purchase of the neighboring 60-acre Gertridge farm, Benjamin Bridge will plant 10 acres of grapes on the newly acquired land this summer - adopting European high-density techniques - with an aggressive growth plan of 35 new acres by 2017. It will also begin clearing land on the north side of the new property to explore Champagne-cave construction with an expected completion date of 2020.