Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyards celebrates grand opening

GRAND BEND – The ribbon was officially cut at Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyards recently to celebrate the rebranded winery under new ownership. Blyth-based Cowbell Brewing bought the former Dark Horse Estate Winery outside Grand Bend beside the Huron Country Playhouse in March, later announcing the property would reopen with a new name, Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyards. Cowbell’s purchase of the property was [...]

Article content GRAND BEND – The ribbon was officially cut at Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyards recently to celebrate the rebranded winery under new ownership. Blyth-based Cowbell Brewing bought the former Dark Horse Estate Winery outside Grand Bend beside the Huron Country Playhouse in March, later announcing the property would reopen with a new name, Grand Bend Stirling Sands Vineyards. Recommended Videos Cowbell’s purchase of the property was its first expansion beyond its Blyth location.

While Stirling Sands opened June 23, the grand opening and ribbon cutting on Tuesday, July 14, was a way for the business to give back to the community that has shown so much support since Cowbell bought the property, president Natasha Fritzley told Postmedia. Since closing the deal in March, Cowbell moved the restaurant in Stirling Sands from the lower level to the main floor, also expanding the menu and hours of operation. In addition, a retail store was opened in the former dining space beside the barrel cellar.

Fritzley said the business has also started an extensive vineyard remediation plan, which will take three to four years to complete. The work will involve some blocks of the vineyard being rehabilitated, while others will be replaced to bring in additional red varietals. “We want an approachable portfolio that’s encompassing to all palates, which is why we’re looking to move in some new grapes,” Fritzley said.

In the coming weeks, Stirling Sands will open its events program for weddings and parties. As well, additional space on the building’s top floor will open to the public. Of the new Grand Bend location, Fritzley said, “The team is thrilled.

We all love coming here. Most of us live here in the county, and it’s a beautiful drive to work each day ... The folks here are just so nice.

It’s a great community to operate a business in.” Among those Fritzley thanked was Huron County’s retired former economic development director Vicki Lass, who described Stirling Sands as “an economic windfall” for the area, explaining that it contributes to the “economic triad of live, work and play,” and will attract and keep dollars local, in addition to providing career opportunities. South Huron chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison described Stirling Sands as a world-class facility and spoke of the importance of tourism to the area.

“We are so excited to have an industry leader like Cowbell Brewing operating right here in South Huron,” she said. Friztley said the business has been busy since its June 23 opening. “Overall, it’s just been so much fun.

Today’s been a blast.”