Fifteen years after graduating from Niagara College, Augusta Van Muyen was crowned Niagara’s 2025-2026 Grape King, securing her place in the region’s viticultural history. She is only the fourth woman to receive the title in the history of the award, which dates back to 1947.
Van Muyen, a 36-year-old resident of St. Catharines, graduated from the college’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program in 2010. She will represent Ontario’s grape and wine industry at events across Canada, beginning with the annual Grande Parade at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival on September 27 and the Mayor’s Invitational Grape Stomp on September 28.
“I’m super honoured to represent the wine industry,” Van Muyen said, “It means a lot after all the hard work I’ve done.”
Her coronation marked a significant moment for her alma mater, as she took the reins from the 2024-2025 Grape King, Jeff Duc, who also graduated from the same program in 2004.
Cultivating success
Van Muyen’s passion for the wine industry took root at a young age. Growing up in Prince Edward County, her family built plows for the region’s developing vineyards, and she decided she wanted to be a vineyard manager by age 13.
“I was too young to attend the College after high school,” she said, noting that students are required to be at least 19 years of age to begin the Winery and Viticulture Technician program. “I was only 17, so I spent the first two years at Brock before transferring to NC.”
She enjoyed her time in NC’s two-year diploma program where she learned the ropes of grape growing under the expertise of her professors and built a network of classmates and friends who she keeps in touch with to this day.
During her time at NC, she began working at Tawse for her student co-op experience in 2009.
After graduating, she traveled to gain experience. She worked in Germany’s Rhine-Hessen region and Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley before she returned to Niagara. In 2013, she joined Tawse Winery as an assistant winemaker and took the leap into vineyard management in 2021.
With a nomination from her peers and approval from industry judges, Van Muyen was announced Grape King by the Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit Canada. She was applauded for her exemplary vineyard management, which focuses 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. In addition to tending to the vineyards, she also enjoys caring for the numerous animals living on the farm at both Tawse and Redstone,
“There’s nothing better than walking through the farm on a gorgeous sunny morning – the birds are singing, the bugs are out, everything feels alive and vibrant,” she said. “I love being outside every day.”
A testament to the fruits of her labour, Van Muyen was officially installed as the 67th Grape King on September 17 after the Grape Growers of Ontario’s annual celebrity luncheon.
“Augusta has accomplished an enormous amount in her time as Vineyard Manager at Tawse. She is the fourth female Grape King to be honoured, and her knowledge of grape growing is the perfect blend for our industry’s ambassador,” said Grape Growers of Ontario Chair Matthias Oppenlaender.
“At FCC, we admire the passion that goes into every vineyard, every harvest, and every bottle,” said Clinton Buttar, Vice-President, Farm Credit Canada. “Congratulations to all the past Grape Kings, and a special toast to the 2025-2026 Grape King, Augusta Van Muyen.”
NC spirit
The passing of the Grape King torch between two NC alumni is a source of pride for the College’s alumni community.
“Our alumni continue to shine in the grape and wine industry in Ontario and beyond,” said Alumni Relations Director Jana Boniferro. “Seeing the Grape King honour pass from one Niagara College graduate to another is both inspiring and a proud moment for our community. Congratulations to Augusta!”
Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario and NC alumna, praised Van Muyen’s accomplishment and noted that she exemplifies the very best standard of what it means to be a great grape grower.
“We are thrilled to have Augusta join the Grape King Alumni, and as the fourth woman to receive this honour since 1947, this is another milestone in our long history,” said Zimmerman. “It is also noteworthy that Augusta, a graduate of Niagara College, like me, many years ago, is a nod to the success of Niagara College programs.”
For information about Niagara’s Grape and Wine Festival visit niagarawinefestival.com
With files from Grape Growers of Ontario
