Fourth-generation family farm in N.S. moving from dairy to wine

The owners of Horse Thief Vineyards visit the Your Morning Atlantic studios to share details on their new winery in Stewiacke, N.S.

A fourth-generation family farm in Stewiacke, N.S., will soon be a new destination for wine lovers in the Maritimes.

Horse Thief Vineyard is set to host its grand opening on July 25 and will be launching along with two products. The vineyard is set on what was historically a dairy farm, but it has since been repurposed to produce wine.

“We’re fourth generations on that property, predominantly dairy farmers through the three generations before us. We’re so happy to be able to get into the agriculture industry and be the fourth generation, and this is the way we’re doing it,” said Horse Thief Vineyard CEO Chris Gourley in an interview with CTV Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett.

Gourley says the vineyard has been a long time coming, with grapes being planted years in advance.

“Five years ago we started planting the vineyard and added to it every year, so to be at this moment in time is amazing. It’s very gratifying,” he said.

“What we didn’t do is let great get in the way of good, we got started, we planted an acre, we planted another acre, and now we’re at four acres, and now we’re opening with the two products we have in front of us, it’s just amazing and surreal.”

He says his goal with the brand is to really channel the roots of the company.

“We love to tie in our community, and what we want to do after that is tie in our province, tie in our country, to be the front counter to the consumer about agriculture. Of what’s possible in the industry and what can happen with a little bit of grit, a little bit of vision,” said Gourley.

The name Horse Thief also holds significance, as it ties into Gourley’s family lore.

“Our family came from Ireland and Scotland; we came here and started something new. Now why did we come here? There’s different theories as to why. My father used to jest in our kitchen that my mother’s family left Scotland for being horse thieves, and her retort to that would be, ‘Well, that’s better than leaving Ireland to be rum runners,’” he said.

Horse Thief Vineyard officially opens next Saturday with a celebration including events like puppy yoga, movies in the vineyard, tastings, as well as flower and charcuterie workshops.

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