Stirling Sands Vineyard opens in Grand Bend

Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyard held a grand opening ceremony on July 14, cutting the ribbon to the new destination in the community. Opened in the former Dark Horse Estate Winery, the vineyard marks the first expansion for Blyth’s Cowbell Brewing.

By Dan Rolph

The area’s newest vineyard has opened its doors to the public, creating a new place in the community where tourists and locals alike can find wine, dining and experiences fuelled by local products.

The 93-acre property next to the Huron County Playhouse, which was formerly Dark Horse Estate Winery, was purchased by Blyth’s Cowbell Brewing earlier this year, creating Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyard and marking the first time the business has expanded beyond its flagship location in North Huron.

To mark the occasion, a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held July 14.

“Over the past several months, our team has poured their hearts into creating a place where exceptional food, local wine and genuine hospitality come together in a beautiful setting,” said Cowbell director of partnerships and experiences Ally Anderson.

With the opening of Cowbell’s new vineyard, the company intends to bring many experiences to the community in addition to their new wine offerings, including a full dining menu, tastings, special events and another source for Cowbell products, such as their beers and ciders.

The name Stirling Sands aims to honour history and local roots, hearkening back to horses that worked local farmland and representing Lake Huron’s coastline.

“This is a place where people come to slow down,” said Cowbell president Natasha Fritzley. “It’s a place where there is exceptional food and drink, where you can watch the sunset over Lake Huron and make memories with your family and friends.”

As part of their strategy of operating in the region, Cowbell stated they plan to focus on bolstering the community through local hiring, as well as partnerships and promotions with other partners in the region.

“Strong local economies create opportunities for families, support local businesses, generate the resources needed for thriving communities and help ensure that rural Ontairo continues to grow,” said Fritzley.

Retired Huron County economic development director Vicki Lass spoke during the ribbon cutting ceremony, describing Stirling Sands as an “economic powerhouse” that combines the region’s top economic sectors in one entity.

“Stirling Sands is a tourism asset contributing to our existing visitor’s experience, but it is also a destination of its own which will enhance the over $320 million in direct tourism spending that was experienced by Sarnia-Lambton and Huron County last year alone,” she said.

South Huron CAO Rebekah Msuya-Collison welcomed Stirling Sands to the community during the ceremony, highlighting the importance of tourism in the region.

“Tourism is a vital part of the regional economy, providing jobs and growth for our economy,” she said. “We are so excited to have an industry leader like Cowbell Brewing operating right here in South Huron.”