History of Andrews Scenic Acres

Lauraine and Bert Andrews chose and purchased a 100 acre “run down” farm in 1980 with the plan of operating a pick your own berry farm. From this initial vision came the Andrews Scenic Acres slogan “Growing Berries is our Business”.

We chose the name Andrews Scenic Acres as our farm is nestled southeast of the beautiful Niagara Escarpment. The name also reflects our family farm as a beautiful and relaxing place for all ages to visit.

From the period of our initial development through the present day in the new millennium, our growth areas include our farm market, farmers’ market, school tours, adult tours and pick your own. In 1999 Andrews Scenic Acres expanded to include a fruit winery “Scotch Block Country Winery”. Using fruit grown on our farm the winery has unlimited potential and appeal.

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Some of our farm family highlights include “Business of the Year in 1992” by the Milton Chamber of Commerce. In 1994 Bert was inducted into the “Hall of Honour” at Norwood District High School. Also in 1994 the Andrews Family: Lauraine, Bert, Angela, Kurtis and Valerie were chosen “Farm Family of the Year” by the Halton Region Federation of Agriculture. In 2002 our fledgling Scotch Block Country Winery was chosen “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce. This award is presented annually to a new business venture in Halton Hills.

At Andrews Scenic Acres we are proud of the fact that our farm is the first farm in west Toronto, Peel and Halton to introduce many new crops and consumer foods. A list of commercially grown new crop introductions include highbush blueberries, fall raspberries, black raspberries, yellow raspberries, elderberries, black currants, red currants, gooseberries, fall strawberries, grapes and blackberries. We are also the first farm to offer an extensive array of annual and perennial flowers for cutting.

Raspberry and black currant cider has been accepted by health conscious customers as a very refreshing alternative drink. We label these ciders under the Scotch Block label. As a move to slightly distance and operate our new fruit winery as a separate entity, we chose the name “Scotch Block Country Winery”. At present we are undertaking a historical research project to familiarize consumers on the history of Scotch Block and why we chose it as the name for our winery. To date we have some 28 different fruit wines on the shelf including our core group of Black Currant, Raspberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Red Currant, Gooseberry and Elderberry.

To give a more comprehensive outline of our farm operation please find listed below our major acreage.

Asparagus 2 Acres
Rhubarb 1 Acre
Cherries 2 Acres
Apples 1 Acre
Strawberries 35 Acres
Raspberries 25 Acres
Blueberries 11 Acres
Black Currants 8 Acres
Elderberries 1 Acre
Grapes 2 Acres
Sweet Corn 60 Acres
Pumpkins/Gourds 40 Acres
Wheat 230 Acres
Soybeans 230 Acres
Hay 20 Acres
Field Corn 54 Acres

TOTAL 722 Acres

In addition to retail sales at our farm market we also sell at farmers’ markets including Milton, Georgetown, Brampton, Nathan Phillips Square and Sherway Gardens. Besides the above mentioned fruit and vegetables, we supply our customers with jam, honey, maple syrup, baked pies, tarts, jamming and freezing supplies as well as limited giftware. The sale of fruit and vegetables direct to grocery stores is a relatively small segment of our business. We do sell and deliver strawberries, sweet corn and pumpkins directly to grocery stores.

A very important part of our business is the agri-education program. We cater to all age groups but our main students are pre-school to Grade 3. Over the period from May to November we book over 15,000 students. We support the philosophy that if the children enjoy themselves they will bring their parents back to the farm.

Andrews Scenic Acres are members of the following organizations:

Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Organization

What about the future of Andrews Scenic Acres and Scotch Block Country Winery?

Down on the farm the future looks challenging and exciting for both Andrews Scenic Acres and for Scotch Block Country Winery.