Mercator Tidal Bay Awarded 2022 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wine

Thursday, July 28, 2022

We are delighted to announce that our 2021 Mercator Tidal Bay has been awarded a 2022 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wine at a ceremony at Government House in Halifax on July 28th.
 
We are incredibly proud of our Head Winemaker, Gina Haverstock and her Devonian Coast Wineries team for creating a Tidal Bay that has received so many awards this year. Our winery is very honoured to receive such a prestigious accolade and we would like to congratulate our fellow Lieutenant Governor's Award winners Avondale Sky Winery, Domaine de Grand Pré and Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards⁠.
 
The award, established by former Lieutenant-Governor J.J. Grant in 2014, recognizes the exceptional quality of locally sourced and produced wines, and honours the dedication and craft of those in Nova Scotia's wine industry.
 
“I am proud of the quality of wine produced in Nova Scotia. It has been wonderful to watch the industry grow and contribute to the local economy,” said Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc. “The winemakers outdid themselves this year, demonstrating passion, innovation and pride.”
 
Through blind tastings an independent panel of 11 experts chose the following wines as the best among the wines submitted:
- 2013 Blanc de Noir Extra Brut, Avondale Sky Winery⁠
- Riesling Sparkling, NV, Domaine de Grand Pré
- 2015 Blanc de Noirs, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards⁠
- 2021 Tidal Bay, Mercator Vineyards⁠
 
“In total, there were 34 wines submitted by 14 wineries in this year’s competition. A panel of 11 independent wine judges convened for a blind tasting to assess the wines.” Said a spokesperson for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. “As in the previous years, the quality of the submissions from Nova Scotia winemakers was very high, which made the scoring very tight. The judges were most impressed with all submissions and agree that (the winning wines) significantly contribute to the growing reputation of the industry in Nova Scotia.”  
 
The award ceremony included the presentation of a certificate and gold medal to each winning winery.   
 
Photo courtesy of Lieutenant Governor's Office