News release

Nova Scotia Wines Receive Award for Excellence

Lieutenant-Governor

Four wines received the 2021 Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines at a ceremony at Government House in Halifax today, Sept. 9.

“Nova Scotia’s winemakers are producing exceptional wines, and many are successfully competing on the national and international level,” said Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc. “This success reflects the passion and expertise of our wineries and winemakers, and they can be very proud of how they have contributed to this province’s wine and tourism industries. I thank and congratulate all wineries who submitted wines for this year’s award.”

The following wines, listed in alphabetical order by vineyard, were selected as the best among the wines submitted:

  • 2015 L’Acadie, Avondale Sky Winery, Newport
  • 2014 Prestige Brut Estate, L’Acadie Vineyards, Wolfville
  • 2010 Fortified Castel, Mercator Vineyards, Wolfville
  • NV Passito Muscat, Mercator Vineyards, Wolfville

Now in its eighth year, the award is administered in conjunction with Wine Growers Nova Scotia and Taste of Nova Scotia.

Quotes:

“The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines continues to recognize the exceptional quality of locally sourced and produced wines and celebrates the dedication and craft of those in Nova Scotia’s wine industry. It is an honour for our province to have an opportunity to celebrate our wineries, winemakers, grape growers, and their innovation and achievements right here at home.”

– Emily Haynes, executive director, Taste of Nova Scotia

“Wine growers are farmers first and here in Nova Scotia, our wineries are founded in the belief that Nova Scotia can produce wines of distinction that rival the best wines produced anywhere in the world. We continue to be recognized nationally and internationally for our terroir driven, world-class wines from our cool-climate region. To have the lieutenant-governor's award recognize Nova Scotia's wine excellence is incredibly important in celebrating our locally grown product of which Nova Scotia can be proud.”

– Haley Brown, executive director, Wine Growers Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

  • the award was established in 2014 by the then lieutenant-governor, J.J. Grant; it recognizes the exceptional quality of locally sourced and produced wines and honours the dedication and craft of those in Nova Scotia's wine industry
  • each winery in Nova Scotia was invited to submit up to three commercially available wines made with 100 per cent Nova Scotian grapes
  • in 2021, 15 wineries submitted 39 wines for adjudication by a panel of 11 independent wine experts using a blind tasting process
  • up to five wines may be selected each year for the award
  • each winning winery was presented with a gold medal and certificate and may advertise that their wine was an award winner

Additional Resources:

Photos of the winning wines are available at: https://news.novascotia.ca/photos/2021/09/09/lieutenant-governors-award-excellence-nova-scotia-wines

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