Anne Kurtz-Alton, co-owner of Alton Farms Estate Winery in Forest, has been a longtime admirer of the astronaut and best-selling author. For years, she had dreamed of catching a glimpse of Commander Hadfield during her family’s seasonal visits to a cottage on Stag Island. This summer, while Hadfield was walking his dog along the beach, Anne finally had the chance to speak with him. Gathering her courage, she approached to express her admiration and called him a Canadian hero.
That conversation sparked an idea Anne had been mulling over for some time. She proposed designing a wine bottle label featuring a NASA photo of Hadfield repairing the Canadarm in space. Initially, Hadfield was hesitant, Anne explained in an interview with Matt Allen on CBC’s Afternoon Drive. She noted that he had to be cautious about the products his image represents. However, he was ultimately charmed by Anne’s initiative, especially because the project would also support local charities. Hadfield also admitted that he occasionally enjoys a glass of full-bodied red wine.
The encounter had perfect timing as Alton Farms Estate Winery was preparing to launch the elegant, handcrafted garnet Aberarder 2021 premium Bordeaux blend in the autumn of 2024. A limited edition of 1,200 bottles of the wine, called Defying Gravity, will feature the NASA photo and a portrait of Hadfield. Chris Hadfield has agreed to personally sign labels for eight bottles, which will be included in “galactic food baskets” representing the eight planets. These baskets will be auctioned on social media by Great West Teams, with proceeds benefiting eight local charities, including Alzheimer’s Sarnia, the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, Pathways, and others. The date and time of the auction will be announced soon.
On December 1, Mark and Anne of Alton Farms Estate Winery hosted a space-themed launch party for the project, complete with solar system decor, bubbly wine, snacks, and tastings of the Aberarder Defying Gravity wine. Clients, friends, and family cheered the rocket success of the project. A $5 donation was made to the Inn of the Good Shepherd for each bottle sold at the launch.