About Us

Flatrock Vineyards was co-founded by Terry and Tara Power. Tara, from Flatrock, grew up on her family's farm, learning farming practices early on. Terry is from Trepassey, where he grew up helping with his family’s construction business, and his mother’s passion for gardening.

Tara's upbringing on the farm shaped her understanding of agriculture, while her mother's experimental plots on the farm introduced her to unconventional, nutrient-rich crops like broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, and snow peas – uncommon choices for Newfoundland and Labrador's climate at the time. Sadly, Tara's mother passed away of Ovarian cancer at the age of 49. The vineyard now stands on the very land where Tara's mother once cultivated her innovative crops, so there is a really special connection to this piece of land.  

Inspired by Tara’s mother's approach to trying new products, in 2007 we initially aimed to venture into part-time grape cultivation, envisioning a future where our efforts would transform into a flourishing vineyard crafting wine in Flatrock, Newfoundland – hence the name, Flatrock Vineyards. Sadly, the unpredictable weather conditions typical of the East Coast proved unsuitable for grape cultivation. So, we shifted our focus. Diving into research, we sought out crops known for their potential benefits against diseases prevalent in our family, such as various types of cancer (Ovarian, Colon, Prostate), Glaucoma, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Our attention soon turned to black currants, drawn in by their remarkable health benefits and aware of their popularity in the U.K., which hinted at their resilience and adaptability to withstand a challenging climate.

We continue to cultivate a small quantity of grapes in the vineyard for nostalgia.

In 2017, Tara experienced firsthand the benefits of incorporating black currants into her diet. Following a diagnosis and successful battle against Ovarian Cancer, which involved radical surgery and chemotherapy, Tara was often asked how she remained healthy during treatments. She attributed her recovery and sustained energy during treatment to her daily intake of black currants. After overcoming this journey, with our 30 years of combined experience in the business and technology sectors, Tara decided to pivot from the corporate world and return to her roots of farming, recognizing the role of superfoods like black currants in promoting wellness, reinforcing our mission to help people stay healthy with local, accessible products from Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information on Ovarian Cancer and research in Newfoundland and Labrador, along with Tara's personal journey with the disease and her engagement with Belles with Balls—a volunteer committee dedicated to fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Research and Education at Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine and promoting awareness of the disease and its symptoms among women in the Newfoundland and Labrador—check out “Sounding the Belles – Our Stories” by Rogers TV, directed by Rogers Maunder here. Tara’s interview begins at 18:26.