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Since 1992
Haskap Berry Wineries
What Are Haskap Berries?
Haskap is the Japanese name for Lonicera caerulea, also known as Edible Blue Honeysuckle, Honeyberry and . Haskap is an ancient Japanese name of the Ainu people of Northern Japan for the fruit meaning “berry of long life and good vision”. The first introduction of the cultivated plant to Canada was at Beaver Lodge, AB in the 1950s. The fruit was bitter and not palatable. It has been found in the wild in every province in Canada except for British Columbia.
The name “Haskap” was chosen as the brand name that have been applied to new varieties bred by the Fruit Program at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Haskap berries come from varieties common to a circumpolar species native to northern boreal forests in Asia, Europe, and North America. It is mainly found in low lying wet areas or high in mountains, in a variety of soil and growing conditions.
Most people mistaken the fruit as part of the Vaccinium Family (Blueberries and cranberries), when in fact the fruit is just as closely related to tomatoes. It comes from the Dipsacales Order and is related to the Snowberry and Elderberry.
The Haskap berry was introduced into Canada from Japan and Russia in the 1950's. When the Haskap was first introduced to Canada, it was not palatable. The University of Saskatchewan (U. of SK) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada took the lead role in breeding new varieties of Haskap through their Fruit Program. These varieties are winter cold hardy to -45C, and flowers have been known to survive and set fruit after withstanding -11C temperatures. We have personal experience with Haskap withstanding, in bloom, several nights down to -12C without negative results. Varieties include Tundra, Borealis, Indigo Series—Indigo Gem, Indigo Treat, Indigo Yum; Aurora, Honeybee, Boreal Blizzard, Boreal Beauty and Boreal Beast. The Smart Berry and Berry Blue are used less commonly now, but when the program began, growers were using these almost exclusively as pollenizers.
The name Haskap means “berry of long life and good vision” due to its many health benefits, including:
three times the amount of antioxidants as a blueberry (and actually the highest level of anthocyanins of all fruit), giving it the designation of a nutrient-packed superfood;
high potassium levels which are needed in humans to build protein and muscle, metabolize carbohydrates and maintain normal body growth;
the ability to act as an effective inflammation inhibitor; and
the ability to treat chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts. Haskap has been researched and found to be beneficial in controlling the development of Type II diabetes as well.
Bee & Thistle Winery Inc
53204 Range Road
3065, SE-18-53-6W3,
Debden, SK S0J 0S0
Peter and Margaret MacInnis started the Bee and Thistle Winery, located in Debden, as a retirement project. Peter's brother Collin and his wife Anne Greeno are partners.
The Story behind the name? Our family hails from the Morvern area of Scotland. The Chief of Kinlochaline Castle, a MacInnis descendent, was tasked with protecting the castle from the Vikings. While waiting for the impending raid, the Chief fell asleep but awoke when he rolled onto a nest of bees on a thistle. When he lept up, he saw the Vikings approaching and called his men to battle. The Vikings were defeated and the reigning MacDonald clan bestowed their favour by declaring "Friendship will ever be ours, whilst the bee on the thistle is with me and with every member of the Clan MacInnes who carries the favour in his bonnet.”
Collin owns Ravensfield Farm which supplies Cherries, Black Currants and Saskatoon berries.
Debden is a village in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan, Canada. Its location is on Highway 55 it is 94 km from Prince Albert and 194 km from Saskatoon .Debden is surrounded by numerous small lakes.
The Bee & Thistle Winery is a family owned and operated fruit winery, specializing in Haskap-based wines, located in Debden, SK. They emphasize locally sustainable production and creation of fruit-forward wines that taste like the fruit they are made from. Currently growing 10,000 Haskap plants of different varieties, 500 German Wine Rhubarb plants, 400 Saskatoon plants, 100 Strawberry plants, 400 Ben Nevis Black Currant plants.
Margaret obtained the UC Davis Winemaking Program certificate in 2019. Her philosophy is to craft fruit wines and adult refreshments into award-winning wines and beverages that taste like the estate fruit from which they were made.
“Their signature Haskap wine, called Chiad Fhion, and Rhubarb wine, called Loch Aline, were named in honour of the family’s Gaelic traditions in Antigonish, N.S.
In the first two years of operation, Bee & Thistle Winery won 11 awards in both Canada and the United States competitions, including Canada Fruit Winery of the year in both 2021 and 2022 from the New York International Wine Competition.
The winery participates in many Saskatchewan fundraising events that foster community spirit and aid in the betterment of its members.
The family crest motto: “From work comes pleasure”. Our mission is to work hard, nurture the Haskap berry and other fruits, and have them supply and reward us with many years of crafting quality fruit wines for you to enjoy.
Beau Bella Winery
50456 Range Rd.
Leduc County, Alberta
Located just west of Beaumont, Alberta lies the family farm. The winery has a rich history, having operated as a family farm for over 35 years before expanding into winemaking. Producing fruit and Haspak wines. The owners are Ann Johsen and her husband Frank.
Philosophy:
Blue Gables Inc
141 Governors Road
Paris, On
The winery growing 5 acres of Haskaps on 11 acres, is owned by Delano and Kimmy Osmond. Inspired by her Metis heritage, Kimmy explored indigenous plants and their health benefits and decided to grow Haskap. The Blue Creek runs through the property.
They also grow Currants and Rhubard.
Story behind the name - While we were out in Saskatchewan for the Haskap Days in 2018, at the University of Saskatchewan, we were discussing the possibility of starting a micro winery, we shared about how we would love to fix up our dilapidated house to incorporate the Haskap berry colour into the Gables of the house. We described our home and acreage to the group we were on tour with, after knowing our tranquil rolling 11 acre farm, someone on the tour, piped up and said so you are like Anne of Green Gables, you could call it Blue Gables! It stuck and so we have created the Farm and Winery bringing in the heritages from both Delano (Newfoundland) and Kimmy (Métis)
philosophy - Do what you can, whatever your hand finds to do - Do it with all your might!
Boreal Berry Farm and Winery
748 Little Brule Road,
Warren, Ontario
The winery is located on 160 acres at the edge of the boreal forest; it sits on a rich silt loam, our land was originally a floodplain for the Nepawassi River, the main waterway joining Lake Nipissing and Georgian Bay. The owners are Greg and Mira Melien.Winemaker Greg Melien has a passion for crafting innovative and distinctive wines and ciders that showcase our unique terroir. Greg 's dedication to organic farming and environmental sustainability show in the quality and attention to detail in his winemaking. He is not only a winemaker but also an orchardist, and therefore spends considerable time working with his orchard manager to produce the highest quality fruit for our world class handcrafted artisan wines and ciders.
Mira Melien's extensive background in economics and finance gave her the background needed to take on the role of sales and marketing for Boreal Winery. As an experienced Management Consultant, Mira handles the Boreal Winery brand, and the Absolute 0 Ciders and Syrups, and Boreal Escape Room team corporate reviews.
They produce fruit wine using northern hardy fruits, sustainable low carbon footprint using natural, bio dynamic methods.
They are were at one time North America's only haskap winery, and the largest commercial haskap orchard in Eastern Canada. 160 acres with haskap, Saskatoon, cherries, lingonberry, aronia, sea buckthorn
In 2013 we were awarded The Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, an award that recognizes innovations that improve existing products, create jobs and drive economic growth.
Greg Melien's devotion to quality was recognized with a Gold Medal in the All Canadian Wine Championship in 2015.
Winemaker: Consultant Dominic Rivard, winemaker Greg Melien
Philosophy: Natural, authentic and hand crafted
echo Haskap
1238 Creighton Valley Road
Lumby BC
Echo Haskap Farm is located near the Echo Lake Provincial Park in British Columbia in the northern section of the Okanagan Valley. The certified organic farm is named after this picturesque neighboring paradise. We are proud to be BC’s largest certified organic haskap farm, cultivating 40 acres of sweet, tangy, and plump haskap berries.
Haskap wines offer complexities and characteristics reminiscent of well-crafted red grape wines. The berry’s exceptional flavour and versatility make it perfect for a wide range of wine styles, from ciders and off-dry wines to oak-aged table wines, fortified dessert wines, liqueurs, and even sparkling wines.
For an extra twist, haskap can be blended with other berries like raspberry or elderberry, adding more complexity and intrigue.
a CanadaGAP Certified farm
Little Gem Winery
102054 Range Road
Nobleford, Alberta
Located just outside of Lethbridge. Grand opening was July 2023. They focus on Haskap Berry wine. The winery is owned by two brother and their friend. They have a strong background in farming.
NOASK Wines
495 Main Street
Clair New Brunswick
The Cooperative forestière du Nord-Ouest ltée has been in existence since 2010. Located in Clair, New Brunswick, it markets haskap and maple products under the ExlPure® commercial banner and adds a new line of wines under the name NOASKA.
The name NOASKA comes from the first two letters NO, which situate the geographical location of the North-West, and the letters ASKA refer to the regional origins in Madawaska, as well as to the consonance of haskap, also called honeyberry in other regions.
Guy Paillard is the General manger and has been for over 12 years.
- All Noaska products are certified kosher, in addition to being vegan and gluten-free. The flagship wine is called Baker Buck.
- Baker Buck Dry Red and Intrigue Semi-DRy Rose awarded Gold at the All Canadians
Winemaker: Bruce Dupuis
Forest Fringe Orchards
Prince Albert, Sask
A family operation north east of Prince Albert. Genevieve Greif and Will Stafford are Co-Owners
Genevieve’s love of nature and the outdoors lead to a 25 year career as a Resource Officer and Ecologist with the Provincial Government. That same love of nature and the outdoors now finds Genevieve busy in the fruit orchards putting her farming roots to work producing the fresh fruit for customers and the kitchen. Genevieve’s creative side and taste for good food also keeps her busy in the kitchen turning the orchards’ produce into a variety of preserves, baked goods, and more recently crafting specialty fruit wines. Also wines from Haskap
Will is an Orchardist / Beekeeper Growing up in Southern Ontario’s orchard and winery region and being educated in horticulture and vita culture, it was his ambition to develop a winery. He just didn't know that it would happen in Saskatchewan.
Genevieve Greif, Co-Owner / Vintner / Accountant: Growing up on a farm in east central Saskatchewan, Genevieve’s love of nature and the outdoors lead to a 25 year career as a Resource Officer and Ecologist with the Provincial Government. That same love of nature and the outdoors now finds Genevieve busy in the fruit orchards putting her farming roots to work producing the fresh fruit for customers and the kitchen. Genevieve’s creative side and taste for good food also keeps her busy in the kitchen turning the orchards’ produce into a variety of preserves, baked goods, and more recently crafting specialty fruit wines.
Will Stafford, Co-Owner / Orchardist / Beekeeper / Harvester Sales: Growing up in Southern Ontario’s orchard and winery region and being educated in horitculture and vita culture, it was his ambition to develop a winery. He just didn't know that it would happen in Saskatchewan. To support the farm through all the growing years, Will provides services as a GIS / Spatial data consultant and has consulted all over North America in that capacit
From Prince Albert, Saskatchewan: Northeast on Highway 55 East (Nipawin Hwy), 32 kilometres from the Diefenbaker Bridge when leaving Prince Albert. We are on the right (East) side of the highway at the two story blue building.
Frozen in Time Ltd
Rodriques Wines
Markland , NFLD
Mail: P. O. Box 98
Whitbourne, NF AOB 3KO
Located 50 miles west of St. John's, the province capital. The estate original building was once a cottage hospital build in 1935. When the hospital closed Dr. and Mrs. Marie-France Rodrigues moved in. Starting with only a desire to make blueberry wine as it was made in the past and offer employment opportunities in their community
Founded in 1993 as Markland Cottage Winery, Rodrigues Winery is Newfoundland's first winery and has continued to grow in both capacity and in the variety of wines produced from wild berries and pesticide-free fruit to become Canada's largest exclusively fruit winery. production in 2004 should produce 17 000 cases of wine
The winery was purchased 2016 by the Krol family and renamed Frozen in Time. Frozen in Time president Marek Krol hopes to develop a 402-hectare blueberry farm,
Frozen in Time produces high quality, premium berry / fruit wines. Haskap Wines and liqueurs. The variety of wines produced from local wild berries and pesticide-free fruit include Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Cloudberry, Black Currant and Birch. Our wines have expanded over the years and have been honoured with a variety of national and international awards.
The addition of a traditional European copper pot distillery allows the winery to produce liqueurs, as well.
New owner new name Krol family.In 2017, Krol created a television show called Living Wild TV, which is aired on Cottage Life, Travel + Escape and the Outdoor Lifestyle Network. The show is about how to live off the land using natural foods.
In the same year, he also started another show called Cooking for a Cause, in which various celebrities cook natural food for different health and wellness disorders.
Wines can be found in Europe and USA.
Winemaker: Marek Krol
Philosophy: Dedicated to producing high quality premium wines and spirits handcrafted with care. We blend the natural flavours and aromas of the locally grown berries and fruit and allow them to age into wine without sulfites. Clean and natural wines for health, well being and happiness.
Yukon Berry Farm
White Horse. Yukon
T
The amazing Haskap plant can survive in the north where Yukon Berry Farms makes Haskap wines under the label Yukon Wines.
The farm is committed to cultivating certified organic (PACS#) fruits and berries. If anyone is interested in starting their own orchard, Yukon Berry Farms can provide haskap plants for sale and offer consultation.
They are also Solstice Cider Works the first and only cider house in the Yukon. The owners are Kyle Marchuk,Harold Roche, Stephen Mooney and Colin Nickerson.
They launched their first rounds of products in late April 2020, with dry and semi-sweet haskap wines, a Chardonnay-style apple wine, and haskap and raspberry ciders on offer.
The haskaps used to make the drinks are all locally-grown at Yukon Berry Farms, with farm co-founder Kyle Marchuk serving as the president for the new ventures.
Originally Yukon Berry Farm made Haskaps jam. It was successful resulting n additional plantings.
Using a grant from the Yukon Business Development Program, Yukon Berry Farms brought up a professional winemaker familiar with working with haskaps about three years ago and soon had recipes Marchuk said everyone was happy with.
They won a Gold medal at the All Canadians Wine Competition.
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