Friarwood takes on Canada’s Benjamin Bridge

Canadian producer Benjamin Bridge has signed with London-based merchant Friarwood Fine Wines to distribute its traditional method sparkling wines throughout the UK.

Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut

Based in the Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast, the Benjamin Bridge winery produced its first cuvées in 2002 and has since grown to become one of Canada’s most prominent producers of traditional method sparkling wines.

The region’s maritime climate is moderated by the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides, allowing it to produce aromatic, cool-climate wines thanks to its slow ripening and long ‘hangtime’ of grapes.

Noting the importance of the UK industry to its progression, Gerry McConnell, owner of Benjamin Bridge, said his vision was to produce wines that would “elevate Nova Scotia as a serious cool climate wine region.”

“To do so, we always knew that we would have to bring our wine to other parts of the world”, he said. “London is a critical step towards this vision. To enter a market with a great partner like Friarwood at a dynamic time in their development and our own is very fortunate timing. We know that
it will take investment and, foremost, incredible quality in the bottle, but together we will grow a market for Nova Scotia sparkling.”

Friarwood Fine wines was acquired by Canadian-born Benjamin Carfagnini in 2015, who recognised Canada as an emerging, cool-climate region early on, which is experiencing a resurgence in production not dissimilar to England’s burgeoning sparkling wine industry.

“It’s a remarkable success story and Friarwood is very proud to partner with it”, said Friarwood’s managing director Benjamin Carfagnini. “Benjamin Bridge truly represents the strengths of Canadian wines and fits our ethos of sourcing fine wines from around the world.”

Benjamin Bridge wines are now available at Friarwood’s retail shop in Parsons Green and will be available to the UK on- and off-trade.