In pursuit of a hands-on learning experience back in 2018, Sydney Neumann chose Niagara College for an education in wine sciences. After two years of hard work, she is enjoying the fruits of her labour as a Dean’s Award winner for achieving the highest GPA in her program.
We checked in with Neumann to get her thoughts on her time in NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program as she celebrates her graduation on June 16.
Sydney Neumann
Age: 23
Hometown: Thornbury, ON
Program: Winery and Viticulture Technician
Academic achievement: Dean’s Award, School of Food and Wine Sciences (97%)
What led you to study at NC and to your program specifically?
In 2018, I made the choice to apply to the NC Winery and Viticulture Technician program and I haven’t looked back since. Both locally and abroad, alumni from this program have emerged and become excellent winemakers, and vineyard managers, among many other positions that make up the widespread industry. Their stories helped inspire me to pursue my education at Niagara College. I was seeking an extremely hands-on experience and that is exactly what I received.
How did you find your program experience? Any highlights, what stands out to you?
I believe the best part of the program is the direct involvement in the on-site vineyard, winery,
and labs – as well as the off-site co-op experience. I think this is a learning opportunity that can be hard to find but is essential to the enhancement of student learning. Too, the teaching staff at NC are infectiously passionate for both wine and the passing down of knowledge. They helped inspire that same passion within myself and are dedicated to the pursuits of their students.
Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program? What do you feel you gained from the experience?
One of the highlights of the program in its entirety, is the opportunity to take part in a work
placement at a Canadian winery. I found myself at Stratus Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where I worked from September to December for the 2019 vintage. This was an extremely rewarding experience and one where I was able to connect the theoretical learning from the classroom to real-world winery applications.
Niagara College is celebrating its 5,000 spring graduates with its first-ever virtual convocation ceremonies from June 15-19. Visit the College’s Virtual Convocation site to view the schedule or to access the livestream ceremonies: niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.
