Augusta places great importance on sustainability and leaving the land better than she found it. For her, the most important aspect of grape-growing is being present on the farm, dedicating time to scouting the vineyard to keep ahead of problems. "There's nothing better," she says, "than walking through the farm on a gorgeous sunny morning—the birds are singing, the bugs are out, everything feels alive and vibrant."

Currently vineyard manager at Tawse Winery, Augusta followed a path to success that took her across Ontario and the world. Born in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Augusta grew up in a family that built ploughs for the region's newly developing vineyards, instilling in her an interest in grapes and wine.

She pursued her interest to Niagara and studied for a time at Brock University before transferring to Niagara College to learn the ropes of grape-growing. Augusta's studies at Niagara College took her to Tawse in 2009-10, then overseas to work in wineries in Germany's Rhine-Hessen region.

When she returned to Canada, she worked at a winery in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. Augusta returned to Tawse in 2013, serving as assistant winemaker. In 2019, she made the jump into the vineyard.

Since 2021, she has served as vineyard manager. 

Photo credit: Denis Cahill