Sharing a passion for excellence with winemakers

The wine business can be more difficult than most. Unlike developing the next gadget or industrial widget, emerging wine companies have a longer development cycle to get their products to market. Not only must wine entrepreneurs invest sizable upfront amounts of time and money into their venture, but they actually need three or four years for initial vines to grow in order to produce wines mature enough to sell. And then they’re subject to the competition of the marketplace, not only between other categories (like beer and spirits) and other local producers, but also from other more established wine producers from around the world. Even with the ideal team, equipment, vines, terroir and production infrastructure (more on that later), the success of any new wine enterprise is subject to the whims of nature and weather. Too hot, too cold, too rainy or too dry and an entire year’s production can literally get poured down the sink.

The wine business is not for the timid. Growing grapes and processing it into sought-after wine is complicated and extensive, subject to incredible risk throughout the growing, harvesting, sorting, crushing, fermenting, pressing, bottling, fining and aging stages. For these reasons, we should celebrate the bravery (or foolhardiness) of these intrepid wine-making individuals and grape-growing farmers. It’s one of the reasons why Summit Steel Buildings enjoys working with Canadian wine companies to provide them with ideal working facilities where they can apply their craft. We share their passion for excellence as well as their desire to produce world-class products.

Overview of Ontario’s wine industry

We’ve written about the wine industry before and how steel buildings provide the perfect production and storage environment for making world-class wines. Metal and concrete building materials create a low-maintenance setting that defies rot, prevents pests and keeps grapes and aging wines at their ideal conditions (humidity, temperature, etc.). It’s always fun to see these enterprises in operation.

On a recent trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a wine tasting adventure, one of our leadership team members was reminded of the incredible beauty of the region and was awed by the scale of the growing wine-making industry there. Ontario’s success in growing wine is nothing new. Since the mid-1970s, intrepid entrepreneurs have been taking chances to raise the standard of wine produced in one of the world’s most surprisingly suitable grape growing areas.

Ontario’s wine country is located between 41° and 44° north, the same latitude as world renown growing areas of Burgundy in France. Limestone-based soils stemming from ice-age Lake Iroquois are at the heart of what makes grapes grow so well in Ontario. The province has three prominent, established wine appellations: Niagara Peninsula (encompassing 10 sub-appellations and 2 regional ones), surrounded by an escarpment and several bodies of water that create an incredible micro-climate suitable for thriving grapes; Lake Erie North Shore (including South Islands of Pelee, which some consider its own separate appellation); and Prince Edward County (newest of the three). Ontario also hosts a few emerging regions along Lake Huron between Grand Bend and Goderich and along the southern shores of Georgian Bay. Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery is one example of a beautiful winery taking advantage of a stunning location, crafting wines from traditional European grapes and innovative hybrids.

Winemaking has become a significant contributor to Ontario’s economy. The wine industry generates 22,000 jobs in culture, agriculture, hospitality and tourism. The purchase of each bottle of VQA Ontario wine generates $98.20 of commercial impact for the province’s economy. 

A warming climate is making a great region even more prominent

Ever-rising seasonal temperatures and a longer growing season are not necessarily a bad thing for Ontario grape-growers. Hearty Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, for instance, thrive in longer, hotter conditions. The bigger challenge for winemakers in Canada – aside from the normal concerns of early frost, precipitation levels and molds/fungus and a multitude of other weather threats – is the effect of rising land prices and real estate development that is swallowing up remaining land where wineries need to grow.

However, other unexpected and surprising threats and climatic changes are emerging. The summer of 2023 has highlighted one particular development that other wine-producing regions in Canada have already experienced and been forced to contend with: wildfire and its resulting smoke damage. 

A dual hit to agriculture – smoke and drought

B.C.’s wine industry has taken a massive hit this year. When water has been needed most for agriculture across British Columbia, it has been sorely lacking. Not only did a lack of rainfall this year increase the danger of fire, it also curtailed agricultural production. Harvest levels for 2023 will be smaller than usual. The province is projecting as much as 50% fewer wine grapes due to a combination of a drier growing season and damage from an early frost the previous autumn. Up to 29% of vineyards may need to be replanted! 

Learn why world-class wineries deserve world-class metal structures.

Wildfires also pose other problems for farmers and growers: what wine is produced might not be possible to sell. For example, large bush fires throughout B.C.’s Okanagan region in 2021 created smoke that permeated grape harvests and aging barrels to make the wine vintage largely unsellable. Read the CBC News article.

Pre-engineered metal buildings enhance capability and protection for wine production

Building with steel is a smart investment. Not only does expanding production potential increase future revenues, but durable and resilient metal facilities create an easy-to-maintain and sanitary environment to increase the quality of wine while protecting it from external threats better than other traditional building materials, like combustible wood or brock and mortar.

Summit Steel Buildings relies on concrete foundation, metal girders and cold-formed steel components that resist damage and last a lifetime with minimal maintenance required. We’re a complete turnkey builder that does everything from foundation work to installation and facility finishing, so clients only deal with one construction partner. Our all-in-one, complete turnkey approach is a building solution that keeps the process easier and more affordable.

Contact Summit Steel Buildings at 877-417-8335 to discuss how cold-formed metal winemaking buildings can contribute to your operation's future success.

About the author

Frank Melo has a construction civil engineering technology and business background with over 25 years of experience as a business owner and contractor. He was born and educated in London, Ontario and now divides his time between projects primarily in Ontario and British Columbia. He can be contacted at Summit Steel Buildings at (778) 951-4766 or by email at frank.melo@summitsteelbuildings.com or through LinkedIn.