| | Alberta's cottage wine industry, a relatively new industry for the province, began as an idea advanced by Alberta's fruit industry. Using locally produced fruit and honey to make fruit wine and mead generated a lot of enthusiasm. In 2005, after much research, consultation and work on the part of a group of producers who worked together as a team, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) announced the cottage wine policy for the on-farm production of fruit wines in Alberta.
"After the successful establishment of a policy for fruit wines, Alberta beekeepers saw the possibilities that mead production would have as value-added opportunities for their products," says Sharon Faye, cottage wine initiative lead, with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Edmonton.
Alberta's provincial apiculturist, Medhat Nasr, describes the industry, "Alberta boasts 250,000 honeybee colonies and production of over 30 million pounds of honey annually, mainly from clover, canola and alfalfa. Alberta's industry is considered the third largest beekeeping industry in North America."
After returning from a tour of mead operations in Quebec, a group of Alberta beekeepers began working toward making the very popular mead an opportunity for Alberta beekeepers as well. After an Alberta Beekeepers Commission representative met with Alberta Agriculture staff, a committee was formed to do further research into the cottage mead industry and the commission proposed that the cottage wine policy be amended to include beekeepers. The proposal was submitted in April 2006, and was approved on June 21, 2006.
The expanded cottage wine policy now allows beekeepers the on-farm production of mead made from locally produced honey. Alberta's premium quality of mellow honey makes a perfect match with the fruit industry to produce melomel, which is mead made with fruit.
"The merging of the fruit and honey industries will strengthen local farm operations and enhance the promotion of regionally produced products and ag-tourism activities in the province," says Faye. "The cottage wine group, consisting of the fruit industry and beekeepers, has met over the course of the year for planning and educational opportunities. This is a wonderful example of how a group of people can help each other through a learning process, build relationships and work toward a common goal."
Further information about the cottage wine industry in Alberta is available on-line at:
Industry contacts:
- Paul DeJonge, cottage wine industry spokesperson/fruit producer (403) 327-9843
- Cherie Andrews, Alberta Beekeepers Commission (403) 995-0830
- Claude Kolk, Fruit Growers Society of Alberta (403) 938-2857
Alberta Agriculture, contacts:
- Sharon Faye, cottage wine initiative Lead, (780) 422-5326
- Lloyd Hausher, provincial fruit industry development specialist, (403) 362-1309
- Medhat Nasr, provincial apiculturist, (780) 415-2314
The cottage wine industry meets periodically during the year for educational opportunities and other events. For more information, contact DeJonge or Faye.
Contact: Sharon Faye (780) 422-5326 |
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