En Santé Organic Winery & Meadery
Xina Chrapko
Located near lac Santé, Alberta, En Santé is the only organic orchard winery and meadery in alberta. Its founder, Victor Chrapko, promoted diversification and “value adding” to basic agricultural production, and encouraged other growers and beekeepers to examine the possibilities. His ongoing dialogue with a local MLA over a period of 5 years and work with Alberta Agriculture led to the licensing of cottage wineries, in 2005, and ability for cottage wineries to sell at Farmers’ Markets, in 2009.
The Fruits of Their Labour
They offer eight unique, handcrafted organic orchard wines: Campfire Wild Cherry, Green Envy Alfalfa, Adam’s Apple, Saucy Saskatoon, Raspberry Delight, Calypso Rhubarb, Kalyna Princess, and Mellow Gold mead.
Managing Time and Resources
A combined orchard-winery requires constant time management. It includes pruning more than 1,300 fruit trees, managing bees, maintaining soil health, irrigation, working in the cellar fermenting and bottling wine, distributing the final product to the numerous alberta approved Farmers’ Markets and the provincial warehouse, staff training, promoting and marketing . . . not to mention managing other organic lands, yard maintenance, hatching chicks, orchard expansion, and planning tours and tastings in addition to specialty events like our annual Apple Blossom Tea (May 30) and Saskatoon Stomp (Aug 1).
Sustainable Farming
Organic food, local fare, the “slow food movement”, food sovereignty, and sustainable farming methods are becoming more important to the public as they consider their own health and the health of the environment. We are inspired to do the right thing regardless of naysayers or what might be trendy at the time. It is part of why we are committed to being certified organic – this land has essentially been farmed without chemical since 1927 when it was first cleared by our grandparents, and was certified organic in 1999.
Reflecting on a Visionary
The steadfast enthusiasm and spirit of innovation displayed by the pioneering founder of En Santé Organic Winery and Meadery, Victor Chrapko, continues to inspire us. He hoped that the existence of cottage wineries in alberta would reflect that our great province offers more than oil, beef and lumber and recognized that the creation of a new industry would benefit generations to come, both within the family but also for the larger community. Unfortunately,Victor’s death in February 2008 did not allow him to see the growing interest in his passion for farming with a focus on diversification, sustainability and value adding. The family is continuing his legacy of proper stewardship of the land and his mantra that one must leave the world better than one finds it.
Timeline
1927 John S. and Eva Chrapko start the homestead.
1974 Victor and Elizabeth Chrapko take over farm with low-impact approach.
1979 First apple tree planted. In time, over 13 fruits are added.
1997 Wine experimentation starts using only homegrown, organic fruit.
1999 Organic certification
2005 Official Opening Organic U-Pick Orchard.
2005 Cottage Winery legislation passed and licensing by AGLC established.
2007 Best Practices Renewal Award (joint Federal/Provincial) for innovation in agriculture.
2008 OCIA Outstanding Organic Farmers of the Year.
2009 AGLC approve cottage wineries as vendors at Alberta approved Farmers’ Markets.
2010 Alberta Farmers’ Market Association award for “Make it, Bake it, Grow it.”
Contact: Phone 780 657 2275, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.enSanteWinery.com
Find our Products: Alberta-Approved Farmers’ Markets; select liquor stores. The best buy is at the winery off of Highway 36 at Township Road 564 and Range Road 115 which is north of Two Hills, AB. Please call ahead.
