Benjamin Bridge
Benjamin Bridge is located within the Annapolis Valley, on the edge of the Gaspereau River in Nova Scotia, Canada, In 1999, Gerry McConnell and his late wife, Dara Gordon, purchased the land in the Gaspereau Valley. Working with a band of high-profile consultants among them UK wine writer Tom Stevenson and the late Champagne oenologist Raphaël Brisbois, former chef de cave for the legendary Piper Heidsieck, they established Benjamin Bridge as Nova Scotia’s first sparkling wine house. Most recently they’ve welcomed the renowned Pascal Agrapart on board to assist with the sparkling wine program.
Today the estate totals 50 hectares, and over 34 of these hectares are currently under vine and farmed organically. Jean-Benoît Deslauriers leads the winemaking, and since Dara's passing, Gerry and Dara's twin daughters, Ashley and Devon, have immersed themselves in the winery operations.
The NV Brut is a blend of local L'Acadie Blanc and Chardonnay, including reserve wine from their first vintage. The Borealis Ice Wine is 100% Vidal Blanc, both wines exuding the mineral and saline characteristics of the Bay of Fundy.
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Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
The Sanford & Benedict vineyard, located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, was planted in 1971 and is home to the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Santa Barbara County. The soils in the western Santa Ynez Valley have lower quantities of clay than other areas of the valley. They are comprised of Gazos clay loam, with 15% to 30% slopes, and Santa Lucia shaley clay loam, with 9% to 15% slopes in blocks 5, 6 and 10. The area receives foggy mornings and long, cool days, resulting in a longer growing season and lower yields.
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Los Alamos Vineyard
Los Alamos lies between the cool Santa Maria Valley appellation to the north and the warmer Santa Ynez Valley appellation to the south. The region seems to have the best characteristics of both appellations. To date the Los Alamos Valley does not have a federally approved appellation and wines are labeled under the more generic Santa Barbara County designation.
Perched at an elevation of 800 ft (high for Santa Barbara), Los Alamos is characterized by its cool climate, intense California sunshine, and most importantly it’s sand and lime soils. This leads to intensely mineral and citrus driven Chardonnay, while the Pinot Noir exudes red fruit, lavender, and rosemary.
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The Gaspereau Valley
At 45°N latitude and 64°W longitude, the Gaspereau Valley spans approximately 12 kilometres within the more expansive Annapolis Valley, eastern Canada’s most famous fruit-growing region.
The Gaspereau River runs from east to west within the Valley, spilling into the Bay of Fundy. The upper Gaspereau Valley is narrow and somewhat sheltered, and is tilted westward, significantly capturing more sun. Ambient daily temperatures during the growing season are heightened by this positioning, creating a collecting point for optimal heat absorption benefiting the Benjamin Bridge vineyards.
These moderated temperatures allow for the development of delicate aromatics and the retention of natural acidity in the grapes, so vital to the creation of sparkling wines. The prolonged growing season permits an extended ripening process that enables the grapes to achieve full phenological maturity, critical to adding texture and complexity.
The surrounding tidal activity promotes an unspoiled freshness while protecting against premature ripeness well into October and even November. As a result, sparkling parameters are met nearly three months after other regions in the northern hemisphere. The result is a highly prized combination of freshness and richness.
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The Bay of Fundy
Like some of the greatest wine regions in the world, the Gaspereau Valley has a truly exemplary maritime climate. Its coastal terroir is shaped by its proximity to the Bay of Fundy, a vast expanse of seawater home to the highest tides in the world. The Fundy tides average a vertical shift of 14 to 16 metres, twice a day.
As the tides complete one cycle, 160 billion tonnes of seawater have shifted, more than all of the world’s freshwater river flow combined. This tidal energy ushers in cool breezes and moisture to the vineyards in the summer and creates a never-frozen body of water that provides moderation and humidity in the winter.​
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Gavin Chanin brings a unique artistic touch to the world of wine by painting his own labels. Each label reflects his passion for both winemaking and art, transforming the bottle into a canvas that tells a story. This personal approach not enhances the aesthetic appeal of his wines but also connects consumers to the artistry behind each sip. Gavin’s labels are a testament to his creativity making every bottle a work of art in its own right.
