A cottage winery? We 'll drink to that, say councillors

Barrhead County councillors last week raised their glasses to a proposed cottage winery.

Coun. Doug Drozd hailed the entrepreneurial spirit behind the proposal.

“We need more of this in the county of Barrhead,” he said. “I give this my whole-hearted endorsement.”

Dan and Edith Zdrodowski propose to develop their berry farm and create a winery at NW 4-58-4-W5, near Range Road 44 in Barrhead county. The site is about 15 miles outside downtown Barrhead.

Last Tuesday, Barrhead County Council agreed to approve a proposal for a winery as an agricultural tourism use. They attached two conditions.

Firstly adjoining landowners should be notified about the development, and secondly only wine manufactured on site should be sold for sale.

Councillors had received a copy of the development permit application, which names Shady Lane Estate as the applicant and the Zdrodowskis as the registered owner.

In the application, the Zdrodowskis say they plan to develop their berry farm beyond primary fruit production to include a secondary product, known as fruit wines.

“We currently have plans to increase the production and varieties of fruit on our farm,” the application states. “The fruit production and winery will operate under the name of Shady Lane Estate.

“Initially the wine will be manufactured and sold from an existing building.”

The Zdrodowskis say they anticipate outgrowing the 30 ft. by 40 ft. building and constructing a larger winery.

“We anticipate that the growth in our fruit production and the establishment of the cottage winery will have a positive impact on our local community providing opportunities for financial growth and employment.”

It is hoped the project will become operational by Oct. 1, according to the application.

Development officer Rick Neumann said that the proposal was “unique” to Barrhead county.

He said something similar had been set up in Strathcona and efforts had been made to learn from that municipality’s experience.

In a written report to county councillors, Neumann said the parcel of land on NW 4-58-4-W5 was designated “agricultural district.”

“Recreational uses including agricultural tourism is a discretionary use,” he stated.

He said cottage wineries require a Class E license from Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control Commission (AGLC).

The commission requires product to comply with Canadian Food and Drug regulations, he added.

“Fruit wine must be produced from 75 per cent of fruit grown on land controlled by the farmer and they must have a minimum of five acres,” Neumann wrote. “Minimum production is 1,500 litres in year one and 4,500 litres by year five. To sell product off site requires further approval from AGLC.”

Neumann said no letters or phone calls had been received from adjacent landowners about the proposed development

Coun. Drozd described the proposal as “cool.”

Coun. Marvin Brade said strawberries, raspberries and saskatoons were grown at the site.

“It’s a good start,” he said, adding that summer students were already employed at the farm.

Brade moved that council support Neumann’s recommendation for it to approve the proposal for a winery as an agricultural tourism use.

“I will drink to that,” said Drozd. Councillors backed the motion unanimously.