Robert Bell's
Wines of Canada
Since 1992
Hans Christian Jost
Like many of Canada's successful wine producers their story began in Europe. In 1970, Hans Christian's parents decided to move to Nova Scotia from Germany's Rhine Valley, where they were part of a wine-making lineage dating back to the 1640s. They weren't just replanting their wine-making roots, they were pulling them up and throwing them away. The family's plan was to reinvent themselves as general farmers growing grains, corn and strawberries; and raising hogs and beef. Anything but grapes.
They settled down on a plot of farmland in Malagash, on Nova Scotia's Sunrise Trail, and set about becoming farmers.
Located in beautiful Nova Scotia and overlooking the picturesque Northumberland Strait. Malagash is a quiet rural community just off the Sunrise Trail between Pugwash and Tatamagouche. A scenic 1.5 hour drive from the Halifax or Moncton. Malagash is also famous for the first salt mine in the British Empire. In 1918 Peter Murray bored a well and struck a major rock salt deposit and at times the mine was known to employ as many as one hundred and twenty men.
That special geographical feature of Malagash and Mr. Jost's instinct for wine-making meant it was time for the family to make a decision: should they continue on as general farmers, experimenting in wine-making, or commit themselves to their instincts and skills as wine-makers?
After living in Nova Scotia for more than a decade the family had become real Bluenosers, so they did what any Bluenoser would do: they chose to be true to themselves, their heritage and surroundings. They sold all of the animals and farm equipment and became Jost Vineyards.
Hans Christian Jost photo from 1991Han's father (Hans Wilhelm Jost) planted the first vines in 1978 for family winemaking, The vineyard flourished and the winery was officially licensed in 1983. The winery store was opened in 1986 and quickly became a hub for community events and activities. Hans Christian and his wife Karen took the reins and transformed Jost Vineyards into the largest winery in Atlantic Canada.
The decision to do so was encouraged by Dr Donald Craig from the Kentville Research Station
Jost's 1999 Vidal Icewine was named Canada's wine of the year at the All-Canadian Wine Championship held in Ontario in 2000. That's the first time in the 20-year history of this prestigious competition that a winery outside of Ontario or British Columbia has taken first place. Hans Christian believes it won't be the last.
Han was the founding member of the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia and the Winery Association of Nova Scotia. Mr. Jost is an honorary member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists.
He and his wife, Karen, went on to establish Gaspereau Vineyards and opened its accompanying winery in 2004. They hired a young winemaker named Gina Haverstock. Starting her towards becoming one of Canada's best winemakers. Haverstock’s status as a winemaker grew, with somebody christening her the “Riesling Princess.” Back then, Nova Scotian wines were quite a novelty; although they had already started winning awards, they in no way commanded the attention they do now.
In 2013 he received an Honorary Degree from Dalhousie University.
2022 Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador of the Year recipient, Hans Christian Jost.
After three decades in the wine industry, Hans Christian Jost now spends his days brewing hops at the Tatamagouche Brewing Company store. He opened the Brewing company along with his daughter Christiane.
Sources
1 Numerous
2 CBC
3 Margaret MacQuarrie for the Nova Scotia "Come to life" initiative.
4 Dalhousie University
5 Jost Vineyards
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