The Drink That Comes From Annapolis Valley Orchards Is Now In Full Bloom
HALIFAX – Years ago, Ted Grant was visiting the beautiful Annapolis Valley while the orchards were in full bloom. The entrepreneur, who gained his culinary skills by travelling the world, was inspired to create a product using local agriculture. But he wanted something unique that would fill a gap in the market.
His friend and mentor, a wine connoisseur named Hanspeter Stutz, recalled a delicious drink made in Germany, which could be used as a source of inspiration.
“It all started in the Annapolis Valley,” said Grant. “The orchards were in bloom and I wanted to do something special down there in agriculture.”
“Hanspeter had mentioned that there was a drink out of Germany that’s the most popular drink in the surrounding countries…it’s called the German Schorle.”
The German Schorle is made with 50 percent apple cider and 50 percent healthy mineral water. After doing some research, Grant was convinced the North American market had nothing similar. So, Grant and Stutz created VIVEAU under the company name Fundy Drinks LTD.
Using mostly fruits grown in the Maritimes, VIVEAU created three different flavours of drink: crisp apple cider, wild blueberry, and ripe cherry. For their mineral water, Grant and Stutz use Spa Springs near Middleton NS. Like the Schorle, VIVEAU’s mixture is 50-50.
“With us, you got this rich story of being in rural Nova Scotia, bottling on top of a spring in farmland,” said Grant. “It’s a pretty compelling story when you think about the entire drink business and the saturated market.”
“The two of us tag-teaming on this project together brings certain pallets and brings an enthusiasm for agriculture. I would say it’s an unparalleled excitement to bring something new and add that agriculture space to the Canadian market.”
The fresh-pressed fruit and mineral water make VIVEAU a healthier alternative to many other sugary beverages people often buy at the grocery store. Grant has a particular affection for the cherry product.
“It’s the cherry, which has tremendous health benefits. It’s an incredible post-workout recovery drink,” he said.
Despite only entering the market less than a year ago, VIVEAU has taken off as a product across Canada, and it’s getting more popular as time goes on. In late June, it was announced that Costco would be carrying the beverage in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.
Costco isn’t the only retailer to carry the product. VIVEAU began by signing a deal with Sobey’s, which ended up selling the drink coast-to-coast.
“When they tasted the product, they said, ‘whoa, hold on guys, this better go to the national office,’” said Grant, recalling an early conversation with the grocery giant.
“They wrote us back and said, ‘your drink’s a hit, we want to take it across the country.”
Sobey’s began by selling the product in 68 locations across the Maritimes, before selling it across the country by the winter.
Now, with the deal signed with Costco, Grant is predicting that the company will explode in popularity by the year 2021. By that time, Fundy Drinks Ltd predicts producing millions of bottles a year.
Over the years Grant has refined his tastes, and his business skills by visiting 60 countries and working on five continents. While living in London, England, he worked at the world-famous Chez Bruce. At the time, the restaurant had a Michelin Star and they were going for a second one.
“The tension when you’re going up, trying to get your second star or your third star, it’s unprecedented,” said Grant.
Grant credits his world travels as being a factor in the creation of VIVEAU.
“It’s those experiences, when your adventurous and you’re travelling that inspire you to do things like VIVEAU.”