Stop and Smell the Rosé
Hidden along the Northumberland Shore in the community of Malagash, the Jost Estate Winery has been leading the way in Nova Scotia’s recognition as a player in the international wine industry for nearly 30 years. This longstanding commitment to integrity and innovation has allowed the Jost family to create and maintain a legacy in the creation of award-winning wines.
Recently, Kelly and I had the opportunity to meet Hans Christian Jost, the owner of Jost Vineyards, for a tour of his beautiful facility in Malagash. We learned more about what has allowed this family business to “Own the Podium” for wine-related honours since the 1980s.
Family
Hans Christian and his family (Father Hans, Mother Erna, and sister Ellen) immigrated to Nova Scotia from Germany in 1970, looking for adventure and the freedoms offered in Canada on its beautiful east coast. Although the family had a history in the wine business, it wasn’t until the late 1970s that the Jost’s began growing grapes on their property. Very quickly, Hans discovered the incredible agricultural potential of the Northumberland Shore – the warmth of its waters creates an incredible climate for wine growing.
What started as a small hobby cellar for family consumption quickly blossomed into a successful business that would share the wine-making craft of the Jost family across Nova Scotia and beyond its borders. Jost achieved a number of milestones under the leadership of Hans before his passing in 1988, including becoming a licensed winery (1983), the first product sales through NSLC (1985), and the opening of its shop in Malagash (1986).
Following the death of Hans, Hans Christian took the reigns of the family business as the winemaker and winery manager. Hans Christian’s admiration of his late parents was evident throughout our visit. He jokes that his father only started the winery in Nova Scotia to create a job for him.
The Winery
Hans Christian’s pride in Jost’s products is evidenced by his extreme attention to detail – from the wine production process to the branding of Jost bottles. Hans Christian told Kelly and I the story of his selection of the iconic Jost logo, which prominently features a photograph by Nova Scotia artist W. R. MacAskill. Bluenose Heeling, a 1921 snapshot of the emblem of Canada’s nautical history was selected through a vigorous process to represent Jost, as it symbolized excellence at a world level and represented a culture of always pushing the envelope as to what is possible.
Hans Christian offered us a tour of the Malagash vineyard, where over 45 acres of Baco Noir, L’Acadie Blanc, Leon Millot, Marechal Foch and Muscat grapes flourish in the warm temperatures emanating from the Northumberland Strait. Production at the vineyard occurs year round, making extensive use of snow blowers during Nova Scotia’s winters to ensure that vines can be tended to throughout the year.
The Malagash site also features a beautiful store, where you can find a wide selection of Jost products, as well as many tasty delights to enjoy them with, including Fox Hill Cheese House dairy goods. It is also host to the wide array of awards Jost has garnered over the years, including a number of Double Gold medals (awarded when judges reach a decision unanimously) at Tasters Guild International and All Canadian Wine Championships.
The Wine
No tour of a winery would be complete without a tasting and we were lucky enough to get an insider’s overview of Jost product from Hans Christian, including its Valley Roads series.
The Valley Road series is a special line that offers blends of Nova Scotia grown grapes. The L’Acadie Gris features a blend of L’Acadie Blanc and Frontenac Gris grapes, resulting in combination of the lively acidity of the L’Acadie and the spicy character of the Frontenac. The Leon Millot Baco Noir is a full-bodied red wine with elements of blackberry and plum. Hans Christian also shared with us a sample of the Valley Roads Rosé, which he recommends for anyone looking to cool down with a crisp wine on a warm summer afternoon.
The risqué Four Skins blends four types of red grapes into a deep-red intense flavor. Castel, Lucie Kuhlmann, Marechal Foch and Millot grapes were combined to create a wine that brings a smile to one’s face with more than just its tongue-in-cheek name. A great showcase of Hans Christian’s sense of humor, you’ll want to try this rich red with your next barbequed prime rib.
Hans Christian was particularly proud of the Muscat Eau de Vie, part of a series of digestifs distilled on site. This spirit was very smooth, with a slight floral nose and was recently awarded Best in Class at the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
A Success Story
Our visit to Malagash provided great insight into one of the Nova Scotia wine industry’s success stories. The Jost family has played a large part in building a wine culture in the province and remains committed to working with local producers to unearth the many incredible tastes Nova Scotia grapes have to offer. I’d encourage you to make the trip to the beautiful Northumberland Shore (a peaceful one hour drive from Truro along the Waugh and French rivers) to experience delicious wines and learn more about the family that has helped define an industry in our province.