Growwine Members Biographies
Prince Edward County
As you wind down Morrison Point Road in South Marysburgh you'll come across a century old farmhouse behind a long stone wall with sixty-five acres
attached. This is Elia Gallo's place - destined for rows of vines that will produce high quality grapes to make into excellent wine - but that's a long way off still.
Elia and his wife Gudrun with their three sons are making the leap from Mississauga in the hot dry summer of 2001 and have begun their venture by planting a test acre on the sandy knoll at the rear of the
property with four different varietals Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Baco Noir and Pinot Noir. This first summer they'll be getting the lay of the land and preparing for next year, planting an additional two acres in the sandy knoll with different clones of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris...
Elia is stepping into this eagerly. He's been making wine for over eight years and has quite a good handle on the many aspects of winemaking and this venture. An accountant by trade he brings a good sense of business planning to the wine industry and has been educating himself through becoming a wine judge in 1997. He is also currently enrolled in the Sommelier course in Toronto. He has also won countless awards for his winemaking efforts. One in particular he is especially proud of is winning Best in Canada and a Gold medal at the 1999 Canadian Amateur Wine Competition in Calgary for his Late Harvest Vidal. He embraces winemaking as a purist and with a chameleon's sense of creativity he is ready to try it all.
Elia has positioned himself and his family near Black River out on the peninsula because of the ideal grape growing conditions and moderating effects of Lake Ontario. The vineyard site has a large pond making irrigation and frost control a viable option. The site has varying soil types: beach sand, sandy loam, and clay loam. The south/southeast exposure should
ripen the grapes and minimize frost damage. The area is populated with many residents and a scenic view of Prince Edward Bay. Located right up the street from Black River Cheese, it is sure to draw many tourists
interested in tasting some fine wine. [to right - at a tasting with Jim Warren, Irwin Smith, Deb Marshall, Marshall Warren and Bob Gibbon].
His family is looking forward to living in the County and becoming part of the community. Elia plans to play an active role in the Prince Edward County Wine-Growers Association, and has been very fortunate so far meeting some of the County residents. They have provided a helpful hand in getting the land ready for planting and renovating the farm house. Elia is very excited about the future of the wine industry in Prince Edward County.
{Ed note: Elia has just successfully completed sommelier training to add to his list of accomplishments... lfw}
Elia Gallo
www.littlefatwino.com