Hearing that P Franco closed last week has brought back a lot of memories from my time working there. It was an important place for me and was such a big part of my time living in London. I’m sad I won’t be able to return but I’m also reminded that P Franco was so much more than just a little wine bar... It was a gathering place and community center for a massive group of natural wine people - enthusiasts and producers alike. It had a special energy to it that attracted the most incredible customers and staff. Places like P Franco are rare, and they are important for a community because of the amazing people that congregate there. I miss these people a lot!!!
Some harvest scenes @lowlifebarrelhouse - there is fruit to come still but things are starting to shape up for vintage 22’ and give us a glimpse of what the wines will eventually look like.
It was really difficult finding fruit this year. 4 out of our 6 growers had almost nothing in their vines because of winter kill in Niagara, but our focus on hybrids has saved us once again. Probably the only vinifera we’ll work with this year is Riesling, which is slowly fermenting in a beautiful @foedercrafters 10 bbl.
Otherwise our beloved hybrids will make up the majority of our wines: Geisenheim, Marquette, Vidal, Chambourcin and others too!
5 years ago If you had told me that one day I’d be making natural wines from hybrid grapes at a Brett brewery in Winnipeg I would’ve laughed in your face. Today I’m pretty proud of what’s happening here. The @lowlifebarrelhouse team is amazing - I’m thrilled to be working alongside some of the toughest, kindest, hardest working people I’ve ever known
@miesvanderdro has been crushing and pressing apples with me for weeks and It’s been great. Here’s a photo of him in front of some of my apple crates the other day. It was a long one. He’s holding a 19 pound watermelon and a 4 pound cauliflower. And some leeks. He’s very strong
