Nestled along the Carp Ridge overlooking the Carp River lies KIN Vineyards, a special place with much to offer. The 47-acre property has 10 acres under vine, producing the finest pinot noir and chardonnay that the Ottawa Valley has to offer.
Earlier this year, Ottawa lawyer Lorraine Mastersmith and accountant Shaun McEwan purchased the business from previous owner Chris Van Barr and are excited to build upon its successes. “We’ve been fascinated with the vineyard since its wines were first sold at the Carp Farmer’s Market in 2015,” notes Mastersmith who has known and worked with Van Barr for many years. She takes pride in the place that it is and the place that it is going to become.
“We are the most northern vineyard in Ontario that is producing true vinifera pinot noir and chardonnay” she explains. All of their practices are organic and successfully biodynamic. One of their flagship wines is the KIN Pinot Noir, the 2017 vintage of which won a bronze medal from the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. The Pinot Noir is aged for ten months in the vineyard’s imported French oak barrels. The team takes great pride in their work and Winemaker Brian Hamilton brings a wealth of international winemaking expertise to the Ottawa vineyard..
The property doesn’t only produce unique wine, it’s a great place to visit too. According to Mastersmith, the vineyard is perfect for anyone who loves wine tours and wineries. Visitors can walk among the vines while hearing all about the process involved in producing the wines from an expert sommelier. Visitors can also sample a flight of wines with local charcuterie in the tasting room or while enjoying a beautiful sunset on the patio. “It’s a lovely way to spend the afternoon, a fantastic place to relax on a weekend.” says Mastersmith “You don’t need to drive to Prince Edward County or Niagara when we have this experience waiting for you right here, just 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa.”
Keep an eye out for two of KIN’s wines – KIN Chardonnay and KINdling Sparkling, both available in LCBO stores this season, and be sure to check them out online to see their entire selection.
Better yet, visit them in person at 2225 Craig's Side Road in Carp. It will be well worth the trip!
Photos: Courtesy KIN Vineyards