Niagara College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre was in the spotlight on Dec. 16, as the venue for an announcement by the Ontario premier aimed at boosting the province’s wine industry.
Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is also minister of Agriculture and Food, held a press conference at the WVEC where she unveiled a $75-million Wine and Grape Strategy to support local wineries and help the sector grow. The new strategy will create a program to allow Ontario wines to be sold at farmer’s markets, establish an Ontario Wine fund to support key winery and vineyard investments, and create a wine secretariat position to help reduce red tape for grape growers and wineries.
Wynne noted the great strides made by the Ontario wine and grape industry during the last 30 years and how it enjoys an international reputation for excellence today.
“That reputation is built on a competitive spirit that focuses on quality, growth and innovation,” she said. “From the tour today, and the knowledge the students are graduating with to go right into the industry is a huge part of that foundation. You’re more than just fruit growers and winemakers; you’re catalysts for tourism and new business.”
Wynne was welcomed to the podium by college president Dan Patterson. Patterson pointed out that this was the premier’s second visit Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. He thanked the premier for taking the time to speak to many of the students while on campus.
“It meant a great deal to them,” he said.
Patterson acknowledged the wine industry’s support of the College.
“The wine industry and their associations have been so supportive of the work that we do in post-secondary education,” he said.
The press conference was attended by St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley as well as several wine industry leaders. Also present was chair of NC’s board of governors Allan Schmidt from Vineland Estates Winery, as well as past chair Len Crispino.
Prior to the press conference, the premier completed a tour of the NC Teaching Winery, led by second-year Winery and Viticulture Technician student Jessica Reese.
Above: Second-year Winery and Viticulture Technician student Jessica Reese and head winemaker Terence Van Rooyen show Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne how to use the wine press for Icewine grapes at the Niagara College Teaching winery Dec. 16 as a crowd including college president Dan Patterson, NC board of governors chair Allan Schmidt, NC board of governors past chair Len Crispino, and St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley look on.
