2011 / 2010 / 2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006

Florence Estate Winery Inc. - Norfolk County

(Left to right: Pamela Fitzgerald; Margaret Marshall; Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowsky)

Terry and Margaret Marshall are toasting to their future. They have embraced the idea of alternative crops by growing grapes and establishing a winery in Southwestern Ontario's tobacco belt. The Marshalls showed innovation by modifying tobacco equipment to accommodate grape growing, irrigation, vine staking and harvesting. Their winery is in its second year of full grape production, with 3,000 cases of wine ready for sale this year. With their Florence Estate Winery, the couple plans to attract tourism to the region by conducting tours and demonstrations highlighting the history of tobacco in the area and the unique eco-systems that exist in the property's Carolinian forest.