New world studies

Louise discusses a wine selection.

From the Loire Valley to the County

Louise Galivel, Ingrid Balluais and Charly Gohier are nearing the end of their summer in the County. Canada has left a strong impression upon these three young people they say they will take back with them to France. Perhaps none more indelible than the kindness and graciousness shown by their hosts Kemp and Amber Hayward-Stewart at Hillier Creek Estates Winery. And the friendliness of the Canadian people.

All three are secondyear students at the highly regarded École supérieure d’agriculture (ESA) at Angers in the Loire Valley of France. The school focuses on training young minds in agriculture and all aspects of food production, markets and economy. Young people from all over France travel to Angers to learn at ESA and participate in the extensive exchange programs the school has cultivated around the world.

One of the more popular destinations for the students at ESA is Canada.

“The people are very friendly and open,” says Louise Galivel. “There seems to be much less stress here.”

And the County?

“It is so beautiful. The nature, it’s so green and the beach is wonderful. It also very quiet,” said Louise.

Perhaps too quiet. The three students, living and working at Hillier Creek Estates this summer, just returned from a couple of days in Montreal, where they were able to sample a bit of the nightlife they say is hard to find in the County.

Most surprising, however, is that for three young people studying agriculture in the Loire Valley, a place that has produced prized wine since the first century, none has had any experience in growing and making it. Not until they came to the County.

In fact Charly might have missed the opportunity entirely were it not for a chance visit early in his placement.

Charly tends to chores in the wine tasting room.

Charly was originally placed with a cheesemaker near Peterborough. But the producer already had a student working in the dairy. This meant Charly was relegated to production room, packaging cheese and affixing labels. It wasn’t what he had signed up for. More importantly the assignment didn’t fulfill the requirements of his program—that being to improve his English language skills and be exposed to various aspects of food production and retailing.

The Stewarts learned of Charly’s plight, and while they had already a full complement of students, agreed to hire on the young man and board him in their home.

Here the students spend time each week in the vineyard performing various tasks including tucking vines into their rows and spreading nets over the vines to prevent the crop from being devoured by birds. They have learned about insect and disease control. They have worked with winemaker Michelle Stewart. On weekends they work in the tasting room serving visitors and guests.

This daily public interaction has helped the students improve their English language skills and each has learned a great deal about wine and wine making.

Ingrid grew up in the countryside in Brittany, though not on an active farm. She was attracted to study at ESA because of an abiding interest in food—the role it plays in our lives and our economy. Though it is still too soon for her to specialize, Ingrid is interested in the business of food, specifically a career in marketing and trading of food commodities.

“I’ve learned a lot about wine—what people like, what they buy and what they will pay for,” said Ingrid.

And what does her family think of the young woman, not yet 20, spending the summer across the ocean?

Ingrid takes an order on the Hillier Creek Estates patio.

“My father understands that it is important for me to live my life,” explained Ingrid. “To see and experience the world beyond France. My mother, however, I talk to on Skype almost every day.”

For Kemp and Amber Stewart the experience has been a truly rewarding one. It began from a conversation with Grant Howes and Jennifer Dean of County Cider Company. They had been investigating the production of Calvados, an apple brandy originating from Lower Normandy in France. Through his inquires, Howes found ESA. From those early conversations a couple of years ago a relationship with the faculty soon developed and blossomed.

County Cider enjoyed great success with exchange students from ESA and they encouraged others to consider the program.

Kemp never imagined he would hire three in his first year but says it has been a thoroughly positive experience. He says August has been the best month ever for the winery and gives the students a significant measure of credit for this achievement.

“They are interested, intelligent and engaged,” said Kemp. “Our customers sense that and respond positively.”

Other ESA students are working this summer at County Cider, Keint-He Winery and Devil’s Wishbone Winery.

Charly says he was drawn to work in Canada because of the wide open spaces. France has more than double Canada’s population but Canada has 18 times more land.

“I wanted to see that,” said Charly, “to see what that much space looks like.”

Each of the students will certainly bring back a distinctive impression of Canada and Prince Edward County to their classroom in Anger this fall.