Niagara College was recently recognized with several prestigious accolades at the esteemed Ontario Wine Awards (OWA) 2023.
The Ontario Wine Awards recognize the excellence and distinction of Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines and pay homage to the dedication of small businesses, farmers, restaurateurs, and employees who contribute to the prosperity of Ontario.
During the awards ceremony held at Niagara College on June 12, the College’s Teaching Winery took home three medals and Niagara College alumna Brooke Husband was awarded the Paul Pender Memorial ‘Rising Star’ Award. The award honours the late Paul Pender, an award-winning winemaker and distinguished alumnus of Niagara College, and recognizes individuals who embody the qualities that made Pender a true winemaker’s winemaker – talent, selfless generosity, mentorship, and innovation.
“The winners of the 2023 Ontario Wine Awards competition are a testament to the extraordinary winemaking skills of Ontario vintners in Niagara, Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore,” said Tony Aspler, President-Emeritus of the Ontario Wine Awards. “The Gold Medal-winning wines prove to consumers that in choosing these products they are getting wines on par with those in any wine-producing region of the world.”
Among the 558 VQA wines entered in the competition, Niagara College’s Teaching Winery earned two gold medals and one silver medal.
Niagara College’s awards include:
Gold for Balance Brut N/V – Sparkling Wine (traditional method) Award
Gold for Dean’s List Merlot 2020 – Merlot Award
Silver for Balance Muscat 2020 – Unassigned Wines Award
“Niagara College’s success at the Ontario Wine Awards demonstrates the College’s commitment to winemaking education, equipping students with the practical skills, knowledge, and mentorship needed to excel in the industry,” said Steve Gill, General Manager of Learning Enterprises.
“Through its dedicated instructors and hands-on programming, Niagara College continues to establish itself as a breeding ground for future winemaking leaders, like Brooke Husband,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies.
For Husband, winning the ‘Rising Star’ Award feels like a testament to the legacy she has quickly begun to establish in the Canadian wine industry.
“Being recognized with this award is incredibly gratifying as someone who is still forging their path in the industry,” she said. “The acknowledgement of my hard work in front of industry professionals reaffirms that I am on the right trajectory and serves as a reminder of the significance of hard work and the importance of mentorship.”
Since graduating from the Winery and Viticulture program in 2018, Husband’s impressive career includes her current role as Assistant Winemaker at Domaine Queylus, Mason Vineyard, and Honsberger Estate. With six harvests under her belt, she was also honored with the KML Top-30-Under-30 award for Hospitality in Canada in 2022.
Husband attributes much of her success to the practical skillset she acquired during her studies at Niagara College.
“I loved how hands-on the program was and how much the instructors cared about student progress and our future careers,” said Husband. “I truly would not be where I am today without the teachings and tools I gained at Niagara College.
Enthusiasts can savour Niagara College’s award-winning wines by visiting the Wine Visitor + Education Centre at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Every purchase supports student learning, making it an opportunity to indulge in outstanding wine while championing the future of Ontario winemaking.
