W I N E RY P R O F I L E
Magnetic Hill Winery grape-based wines The winery got its start producing non-grape-based wines
support that we have in our own back yard.
We still have to convince local consumers
to give us a try.”
PACKAGE DESIGN • BRANDING • E-C OMMERCE
Despite the tough year, the Magnetic
Hill team still contributes to the commu-nity,
donating to silent auctions and fun-draisers
for a variety of causes. “And every
year we host a couple of small events here
at the winery, community outreach for
women’s groups, environmental groups,
kids’ sports teams, that kind of thing,”
he said.
The oldest of four children, Zach
never planned to become a winemaker.
He intended to become an architect, but
after high school, he set out to travel the
world. A stint in Europe kindled a love for
Guests enjoying the views of Magnetic Hill and
downtown Moncton from the patio
wine and by 2015, he was part of the family
business, training at wineries in Europe,
Canada, and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. It’s
perhaps not surprising to learn that he
speaks five languages: English, French,
Spanish, Italian and German.
Now he’s in charge of the wine pro-duction
and operations while his partner
Barbara Zeitlhofer is in charge of social
media, helps with the retail team “and
whatever needs to be done,” he says. His
mom, Janet, handles administration and
the tasting room, while his dad, Jeff, over-sees
construction projects, maintenance
and farming.
As for the winery’s name? It comes
from the fact that the winery located near
an optical illusion that gives the impres-sion
cars are being pulled uphill magically,
as if summoned by a giant magnet, when
they are in fact driving downhill, Zach says.
It’s an apt moniker for a winery that
is a magnet for wine lovers and plans to
continue to be one, far into the future.
“I’ve proven to myself now that we can and
should make wine here,” Zach said. “Now
our long-term goal is to create an amaz-ing
food and wine destination at Magnetic
Hill. Our plan is to make our place and our
brand known across Canada, and around
the world.”
Photo courtesy of benchampouxphotography
SUMMER 2021 § POURED CANADA § 13
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