Blyth's Cowbell Brewing acquires Grand Bend's Dark Horse Winery

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

While details on the next steps are yet to be determined, the ink is now dry on a deal that has seen Blyth’s Cowbell Brewing Co. purchase Grand Bend’s Dark Horse Estate Winery, further expanding its reach into alcoholic beverage production in the region.
The deal closed on Tuesday, according to Cowbell President Natasha Fritzley, who told The Citizen that the acquisition further cements Cowbell’s commitment to the Huron County food, beverage and event industry with two stunning tourist destinations as well.

 

Fritzley says that the deal all came together rather quickly, with discussions only beginning late last summer. When it was brought to the company’s attention that the property was for sale in Grand Bend, Fritzley and the Board of Directors began discussing bringing it under the Cowbell umbrella. With successful beer, cider and spirit production, Fritzley said, wine was the only gap in its offerings, so she thought this would be a good opportunity to fill that void.

 

The group decided to proceed, negotiations began and the deal was signed on Tuesday. The final day at the current Dark Horse Estate Winery was Saturday, March 14. Now, Fritzley hopes to have the location open as part of the Cowbell family by this summer. 

 

There will be a new name for the winery and its wines, Fritzley said, very much wanting to close the book on and respect the Dark Horse story, allowing it to remain as its own tale, with the yet-to-be-named Cowbell-owned winery to begin the telling of its own, new story this summer.

 

It’s still early in the process, she said. The winery’s new name is currently under legal review, and the team is carefully considering the future portfolio, building on the foundation that’s here while exploring which wines may continue and what new offerings could be introduced.

 

Fritzley said that this acquisition is just furthering the company’s commitment to working in Huron County. This move will mean more jobs, more tourism and more money flowing into the community and greater opportunities for her and the company to hire their friends, family members and neighbours, boosting the local economy in the process.

 

As for her hopes for the new location, Fritzley said that, at once, she hopes it will feel comfortable and at home in Huron County as well as an escape for those who visit. The plans are to expand its food offerings at the winery with a menu independent of Cowbell in Blyth. Furthermore, with two dedicated dining areas, the opportunities for special events are robust and that’s what Fritzley hopes to achieve at the property as early as this summer.

 

More information will be made available as time goes on, so continue to check back in the coming months.