In Niagara College’s School of Wine, Beer and Spirits you can:

  • gain an understanding of the many aspects of distilling and fermentation;
  • play a leading role in the brewery, microbrewery, brewpub and distillery industries;
  • develop and improve beverages, products and operations; or
  • reduce beverage production safety risks and ensure regulations are met.

Niagara College's School of Wine, Beer and Spirits is located at the 125-acre Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Our campus sits in the heart of Niagara's agricultural, wine and culinary country, which features a burgeoning craft beer industry. Niagara College's School of Wine, Beer and Spirits offers opportunities unprecedented in Canadian education, with exceptional student experiences via on-campus labs, and enterprises such our 40-acre vineyard, NC Teaching Brewery, NC Teaching Distillery, NC Teaching Spa, NC Teaching Greenhouse, hop yard and apiary.

Programs are taught by expert faculty with significant industry experience. Students also gain industry experience by working with industry partners and at special functions held on- and off-campus, engaging the community via not-for-profit and catered events, recipe competitions, industry research and innovation.

Programs

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Artisan Distilling

Student pouring spirit into glass over wooden barrel.
Graduate Certificate 1 Year
Learn more about the Artisan Distilling program

Beverage Business Management

Two visitors taste wine poured by a student sommelier at the NC Wine Visitor and Education Centre
Graduate Certificate 1 Year
Learn more about the Beverage Business Management program

Beverage Business Management - Barcelona, Spain

Two visitors taste wine poured by a student sommelier at the NC Wine Visitor and Education Centre
Graduate Certificate 1 Year
Learn more about the Beverage Business Management - Barcelona, Spain program

Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management

Students mixing in a steel drum in the teaching brewery.
Diploma 2 Years
Learn more about the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program

Winery and Viticulture Technician

Male student pouring a wooden basket of grapes into a container
Diploma 2 Years
Learn more about the Winery and Viticulture Technician program
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News

Distilling success: Students and industry raise the bar for Niagara whisky

January 23, 2026

A sold-out crowd raised a glass to the future of the industry on Jan. 22 as the College’s Artisan Distilling program hosted Celebrating Niagara Whisky. Capping off Canadian Whisky Week, the event united students and local distillers for a unique tasting showcase that highlighted the region’s distinct spirit. Guided by prominent whisky consultant Ajay Bhardwaj, […]

 Historic Strong Icewine Ale makes festival debut

January 23, 2026

A unique hybrid creation from Niagara College’s Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery has made a historic debut at the Niagara Icewine Festival. Ice Wine Strong Ale is the first and only beer to be served at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village. The brew kicked off the festivities during the weekend of Jan. 17 and will continue […]

George Brown Polytechnic and Niagara College announce the return of the Ontario Wine Awards in 2026

January 22, 2026

George Brown Polytechnic (GBP), in partnership with Niagara College, has announced the return of the Ontario Wine Awards (OWA) in 2026, the province’s most prestigious wine competition and awards program….

The post George Brown Polytechnic and Niagara College announce the return of the Ontario Wine Awards in 2026 appeared first on Niagara College.

Only at NC: Students brave the cold for ‘liquid gold’

January 16, 2026

From harvesting frozen grapes to debuting a historic beer, it’s Icewine season at NC Flurries and cold temperatures proved to be the perfect storm for students at Niagara College on…

The post Only at NC: Students brave the cold for ‘liquid gold’ appeared first on Niagara College.

A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage

January 14, 2026

Jan. 22 tasting event to cap of Canadian Whisky Week Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling students are ready to put local spirits on the map. On Jan. 22, the College will…

The post A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage appeared first on Niagara College.

A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage

January 14, 2026

Jan. 22 tasting event to cap of Canadian Whisky Week Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling students are ready to put local spirits on the map. On Jan. 22, the College will…

The post A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage appeared first on Niagara College.

A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage

January 14, 2026

Jan. 22 tasting event to cap of Canadian Whisky Week Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling students are ready to put local spirits on the map. On Jan. 22, the College will…

The post A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage appeared first on Niagara College.

A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage

January 14, 2026

Jan. 22 tasting event to cap of Canadian Whisky Week Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling students are ready to put local spirits on the map. On Jan. 22, the College will…

The post A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage appeared first on Niagara College.

A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage

January 14, 2026

Jan. 22 tasting event to cap of Canadian Whisky Week Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling students are ready to put local spirits on the map. On Jan. 22, the College will…

The post A perfect blend: Students and local distillers uncork Niagara’s whisky heritage appeared first on Niagara College.

Raising the bar: Local Grapes vs. Hops event shines spotlight on NC

January 09, 2026

NC wines and beers will soon square off with an Irish twist at the Irish Harp Pub’s fifth annual Grapes vs. Hops dinner event. The popular Niagara-on-the-Lake pub, which is a hub for tourists and locals alike, will host the spirited event on Jan. 22 as a celebration of home-grown talent, driven by the NC […]

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