Having served my six months’ house arrest sentence final week of work, I handed back my uniform today. When I mentioned this to my next door neighbour, her response was as vigourous as Australian blogfriend Alyson’s: “Congratulations! Good for you!”
With worldwide reassurance that I had done the right thing, then, I strolled over to the plaza for a c
elebratory bottle of New Brunswick’s own Picaroons Timber Hog Stout. Just one bottle; the combination of empty calories, emptied pocketbook, and teatotal parents-in-law has served to cut my consumption from a serving a day to a serving a week.
But this is a special occasion, and the Picaroons pint bottles are sold by the each.
On the way to the Cold Room, however, I had to pass the Australian wines shelf, and of course I had to stop. What was the name of that wine company that helps preserve wetlands? Ah! Here it is:
E.g. and I were first introduced to Banrock Station wines at the Pear Tree restaurant in our former Toronto neighbourhood of Cabbagetown. Sometime later, I learned that Banrock Station owns and is restoring the wetland which surrounds its vineyards. That in itself, I figure, is a good enough reason to purchase their wines and support their work.
So today I picked up a Shiraz Mataro and an unwooded Chardonnay — might as well share my good fortune — and learned something more on the back label. 
“For over 10 years we have proudly supported projects that include Atlantic Salmon recovery in Canada, flamingo protection in Kenya, wetland restoration, climate change research and water saving initiatives. Our dedication is more than $5 million to 60 projects in 12 countries.”
A peek at their web site informed me that one of their contributions is to the Calgary Zoo Whooping Crane breeding centre; another is to the more nearby Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia; and a third is to a project at my old stomping grounds, the annual “Paddle the Don!” canoe/kayak race in support of restoring Toronto’s Don River.
I’ll drink to that.
What projects is Banrock Station supporting in your neck of the woods? Go here to find out, then lemme know.
Congratulations on a new beginning.
Congrats on freedom! Banrock Station are doing some conservation work along The Great Ocean Rd in Victoria, which is great to see. I am very impressed that they are also working on projects world wide. We are really spoilt for wine choice in Australia, and it is easy to get distracted between the brands. Their environmental policies are definitely a significant point of difference. Thanks for pointing it out Lavender Bay.
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I’ve been a fan of Banrock for a good while now, they’re smart and ecological packaging was got my attention years ago – it’s great to see a company that actually puts its money where its mouth is, isn’t it? Cheers, chin-chin, salut Lavenderbay!
Doesn’t look like they have anything going on in our immediate neck of the woods, but I will keep an eye out for their products.
Thanks, Urban Thought! What next? Something part-time, I hope… and preferably not at night!
It’s good to be free, Livingisdetail! I’m already planning a weekend in Halifax with E.g., if the weather is good.
Yes, the international aspect is exciting, isn’t it? Giving back to the land is so respectful.
Oh my goodness, I’ve been pinged by The Swamp School! They’re a legitimate organization in North Carolina and Eh-plussed by the Better Business Bureau, so I didn’t delete this pingback.
The reason for having a glass of wine is to feel good, right, Alyson? And knowing that the winery is doing its bit for the environment can make us feel good twice!
If you find some, James, maybe you can report on the back label; does it have organization logos like this one does, and if so, what are they? I’m curious.
Banrock Station has provide support to the Adopt-a-Pond program, which works at introducing school kids to the wonder of wetlands.
The Timberhog beer looks pretty interesting too. I’ve never seen it around here.
Congrats on freedom, just in time for the upcoming garden season, and good luck with moving on.
Thanks, Barefootheart! Apparently the Adopt-a-Pond program includes something called Urban Turtle Education. It’s about time someone started teaching those turtles how to read the traffic lights.
I’m not sure if Picaroons makes it out of the province; it’s a small brewery. This morning E.g. sent me a link to a CBC article that sez ale is good for bone density, but pale ales are better than dark ones. I almost have a good reason to indulge.
Timber Hog, what a great name!!! Although it sounds like what someone would call a greedy logging company, “Stop clear felling the whole forest you Timber Hogs!!!”
I love the name as well. Some local wines are so underappreciated.
Lol, Tony!
Picaroon’s has other nicely-named brews as well. Their “Dark and Stormy” dunkel goes well with beef. Their porter, with a black Scottie dog on the label, is called “Man’s Best Friend.” And for all-out exuberant cheeriness, nothing beats their “Yippee” India Pale Ale.
Word of mouth (and taste of mouth) help to combat underappreciatedness (is that a word?), S. Le. We have a brewpub here in town that makes fabulous Scotch Eggs, and three or four types of beer to wash ‘em down. It opened late in the Summer, and so far it hasn’t gone down.