We had a 22 & tonic in solidarity.

This article on TheStar.com explores the state of gin, Europe’s Juniper crops and how we’re doing here in Ontario.

Article by: Eric Veillette

“Pour a martini! Gin making in Europe under threat because of a juniper fungus, but Ontario producers doing just fine.

… the BBC reported last week that European gin producers are under attack from a fungus destroying juniper crops across the continent.

The berry, native to North America, is an essential ingredient in what was Queen Victoria’s favourite spirit, but Ontario’s two gin producers aren’t losing any sleep over it yet.

While Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in Beamsville purchase juniper from neighbouring fields, they also grow their own. “We had a nursery grow us a big pile of a special juniper bush that gives an enormous amount of berries,” says master distiller Geoff Dillon. “We are planting them all around our distillery so that will be our main source very soon.”

To read the full article, click here.