2024-25 Snapshot
$1,926,560
Message from the Director
The goal of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture institute (CCOVI) is to foster and improve our position as Canada’s centre of excellence in the generation and dissemination of knowledge on cool climate viticulture and oenology as well as wine business, policy and culture.
As we close in on 30 years of dedication to industry-driven research, outreach for technology transfer back to industry and professional studies, we can confidently say that our vision remains resolute.
When we reflect on 2024-25 at CCOVI, we see many successes. During this time, we worked with the University’s Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Brock Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) and Information Technology Services to expand access to our PCS options through a new University-wide Non-Credit Programming Model.
Confidence in our research direction and abilities resulted in generous financial support from industry partners, individuals and government — including a $2-million boost from the Ontario Research Fund Research Excellence program (ORF-RE).
The advancement of technology and information transfer through our outreach activities added to our knowledge mobilization efforts to the grape and wine community. For example, the Triggs Lecture Series, held every two years between Ontario and British Columbia, returned in 2024. During the series, we met with growers, producers and retailers in both provinces to collaborate on strategies to build resiliency in grape production to combat the changing climate and its impact on vineyards. Beyond that, we featured CCOVI fellows, professional affiliates and international researchers at the CCOVI Lecture Series and throughout the year we hosted important government officials and decision-makers, including the Premier of Ontario Doug Ford.
The Cuvée Grand Tasting was a highlight in 2025 for consumers of Ontario VQA wine. The grand gala celebrates Ontario’s
$5.5-billion grape and wine industry by featuring the best homegrown wines, gourmet foods and live music. Our annual Experts Tasting event provides a similarly engaging and educational experience reserved for media, product consultants, sommeliers and wine educators to learn about VQA excellence through tasting.
Looking forward, we are excited about working together with industry to tackle their priority issues on advancements in research and technology. And we will continue to develop outreach opportunities that are engaging and informative while taking pleasure in educating new enthusiasts and existing connoisseurs through our many professional development offerings.
Best regards,
Debbie Inglis
About CCOVI
Founded in the fall of 1996, the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) is in the heart of Niagara’s wine region at Brock University. It is an internationally recognized research institute dedicated to the growth of the Canadian grape and wine industry and advancing knowledge applicable to other cool climate grape and wine producing regions of the world.
The institute was founded in partnership with the industry and to this day continues with those partnerships with the Grape Growers of Ontario, Ontario Craft Wineries and Wine Growers Ontario.
CCOVI operates under the guidance of three pillars: Research, Outreach and Professional and Continuing Studies.
Key responsibilities include:
• Engaging in leading-edge research programs in cool climate viticulture, oenology, wine business and wine culture targeted at industry priorities.
• Providing continuing education, professional development opportunities and outreach services for the grape and wine community and the community at large to facilitate the advancement of the industry.
• Training highly qualified personnel for the industry through the Brock Applied Grape and Wine Science undergraduate programs and Biological Sciences and Biotechnology graduate research programs at the MSc, MA and PhD levels conducted under CCOVI auspices.
CCOVI’s partnerships extend to other academic communities, federal and provincial government research organizations, and national and regional grape and wine industry associations within Canada and other cool climate wine regions across the globe.
For almost 30 years, the continued support from industry partners has been critical to the growth and development of the Institute.
Research
CCOVI is working with industry partners to develop strategic, sustainable solutions through research for priority issues in Canada’s grape and wine industry.
Vino Solutions
A $2-million funding boost in 2024 from the Ontario Research Fund Research Excellence program (ORF-RE) is supporting a multi-institutional project led by CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis that aims to drive resilience in the province’s grape and wine industry.
The project, Viticulture Innovation and Next-generation Oenology (VINO) Solutions: Strengthening Ontario’s Grape and
Wine Sector for Climate Resilience, Innovation Excellence and Global Economic Leadership, will develop new growing and fermenting approaches to help the industry combat threats such as pests, plant viruses and climate change.
The funding confirms Brock University’s exceptional partnerships with the grape and wine industry to create innovations that advance sustainable agriculture boosting Niagara’s economy.
It builds on earlier funding from the federal government’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. When combined with cash and in-kind support from industry partners, the federal government and Brock University, the VINO Solutions project totals $7.4 million.
The project aims to commercialize tools to create:
• disease-free grapevine material for nurseries for further propagation
• testing services for grapevine and yeast identification
• new commercial products for controlling vineyard insect pests
• unique Ontario yeasts to overcome climate-change driven fermentation challenges
• knowledge translation programs
• licensing of new grapevine propagation techniques
• new wine styles
VINO Solutions consists of 11 subprojects under the categories
Start Clean, Enhance Resilience, Stay Clean and Stay Competitive. Researchers will use state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at Brock’s Research Farm, which recently received funding from the federal and Ontario governments.
Start Clean will develop cutting-edge techniques, such as microshoot tip tissue culture therapy, green tissue culture grafting and high throughput sequencing to produce healthy, virus-free vines while ensuring their genetic identity for the Canadian grapevine clean plant program.
Enhance Resilience will assess the suitability of new varieties for the Ontario climate, including their cold tolerance and disease resistance, along with new vine treatments to improve grapevine cold hardiness.
Stay Clean will develop artificial intelligence methods to detect grapevine viruses in vines and identify pheromones to disrupt the mating patterns of insect vectors of virus. These activities are part of an integrated pest management program to prevent infection and control spread of virus disease.
Stay Competitive will focus on wine quality and flavour research to support the global competitiveness of Ontario wine. The researchers will isolate, identify and characterize unique yeast that can enhance wine aroma, reduce alcohol content and overcome fruit breakdown issues in grapes. They will also assess wine quality from new disease resistant varieties and assess their use in low-alcohol wines.
Excellence in Agriculture Award
In November 2024, Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) recognized Brock University for outstanding efforts that advance the province’s agriculture and food sector.
CCOVI captured the top spot in the Research and Innovation Excellence category of OMAFA’s Excellence in Agriculture Awards, presented at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
The Institute was recognized for:
• Its economic impact assessed at more than $91 million annually and the equivalent of 307 jobs to Ontario’s economy.
• Opening the world’s first Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Sensory Reality Wine Consumer Laboratory to study the science of consumer choice.
• Leading the Ontario research portion of the federal government-funded, national collaborative Canadian Grape and Wine Science Cluster.
• Launching Ontario’s first winemaking and cider production micro-credentials.
CCOVI’s 2024-25 research projects for Brock University researchers are:
• CLEan plAnt extractioN SEquencing Diagnostics (CLEANSED) for Clean Grapevines in Canada
• Grapevine Red Blotch (GRBV) vector survey and virus spread in two Niagara vineyards
• Grapevine trunk disease: an under-rated threat to the Ontario grape industry?
• Evaluation of the effects of Clean Works technology on Multi-coloured Asian lady beetle (MALB) in laboratory and vineyard trials
• Improving freeze tolerance of Vitis under a changing climate
• Field testing of ABA analogs
• Viticulture Innovation and Next-generation Oenology (VINO) Solutions: Strengthening Ontario’s Grape and Wine Sector for Climate Resilience, Innovation Excellence, and Global Economic Leadership
• Novel pathogen-free rapid clonal micropropagation and grafting protocol development towards the development of a National Clean Plant Program
• Genotype, phenotype and authentication studies and characterization of grape materials and vines
• Research, modelling and identification of superior grapevine material through a novel evaluation matrix that intersects disease tolerance, yield and climate change Improving grape production sustainability and cold tolerance resilience by identifying superior vine material, genomic markers, metabolic signatures and evaluating genotype-based climate change mitigation strategies
• Development of trapping and mating disruption methods to monitor and control major insect vectors of grapevine viruses for more effective clean grapevine integrated pest management protocols
• Impact of grapevine red blotch and leafroll virus 3 on popular interspecific hybrid grapevines cultivars in Ontario
• AI-based detection of grapevine viruses using RGB leaf images
• Metagenomic high throughput sequencing approach to more efficiently and accurately identify yeast species and strains for Ontario competitiveness, local production autonomy and improved quality
• Exploring the role of non-traditional local Ontario yeast to enhance the wine flavour profile and overcome fruit rot taints
• Improving the aromatic profile of white table wine through optimizing fermentation conditions and yeast strains
• Evaluating new fungus-resistant grape varieties, local Ontario yeast strains and developing novel production methods to make low alcohol wine
• Promoting an integrative landscape approach in vineyards for greater resilience in the face of climatic and environmental changes.
• Developing Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Aggregate Extraction Sites on Prime Agricultural Land
• Redox balance in wine yeast under hyperosmotic stress and the relation to wine quality
• Dealcoholization and flavour modification of wine to develop a beverage with wine attributes but without alcohol
• Perceptual determinants of no-to low-alcohol wine
• Building empathy for sustainable water futures
• Individual interventions to transform water governance
Government interest in CCOVI
Premier of Ontario Doug Ford visited CCOVI in August 2024, touring its labs, winery and cellar while engaging warmly with CCOVI staff and leadership and learning about the Institute’s research and vision.
Ford was given an in-depth look at research on invasive species and sustainable pest management, and an overview of the Clean Plant Program — the initial phase of the threepart Clean Agriculture for Sustainable Production (CASP) Field Infrastructure project, which received funding from the provincial government.
Ontario Minister of Conservation, Nature and Parks
Andrea Khanjin and Ontario Associate Minister of EnergyIntensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff visited CCOVI in June 2024. The CCOVI team highlighted ongoing research focused on mitigating the impacts of climate change on the grape industry. From left are Khanjin, Oosterhoff, Debbie Inglis and Jennifer Kelly.
Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Rob Flack got a close look at some of the work being done to protect Ontario grapevines from devastating insect infestations during a tour of Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute in January 2025. From left are CCOVI Scientist Malkie Spodek, Flack and Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries and Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff.
Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) BY THE NUMBERS
Publications
As an industry-driven research institute, CCOVI is committed to ensuring that research is shared both academically and with local, national and international stakeholders. The Institute’s work is shared through the publication and dissemination of research through both proactive and reactive media relations.
Research is communicated formally through published books, book chapters and journal articles, as well as through conference proceedings worldwide. As part of CCOVI’s outreach activities, researchers also share their work through participation at industry meetings, workshops, webinars, events and media interviews.
Throughout the 2024-25 year, Brock-affiliated CCOVI researchers published 12 academic publications focused on a range of subjects impacting the grape and wine industry. In addition to nine research presentations as part of the 2024 CCOVI Lecture Series at Brock University, CCOVI researchers also presented their findings at 38 conferences for a total of 47 presentations around the world.
CCOVI continues to leverage social media as a valuable tool of communication and knowledge mobilization for the grape and wine industry and broader community. CCOVI increased the number of followers on its Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X accounts to more than 4,800 accounts, showcasing the Institute’s ongoing commitment to increasing its reach and connecting with industry and community members across various platforms.
The Institute was also featured in 50 external print media and broadcast news stories that highlighted CCOVI’s research and activities.
Training of highly qualified personnel
Highly qualified personnel (HQP) working in CCOVI play an important role in advancing the progress of the Institute’s research work. CCOVI Researchers, Scientists and Fellows lead dynamic teams and lab groups that they mentor, train and develop.
The high calibre of talent in these teams is validated by the external recognition they have received this fiscal year, including the 2024 American Society for Enology and ViticultureEastern Section scholarship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, the Donald Ziraldo/Laura McCain CCOVI Director’s Award, the Carlo Negri Memorial Award in Oenology and Viticulture, Chateau des Charmes Wines Scholarship, Katherine and Brian Grant and the Oenology and Viticulture Book Prize.
The Institute was represented by its 49 HQP at several academic conferences, including the Ontario Craft Wineries Conference, the Ontario Fruits and Vegetables Convention, the World Marketing Congress, the 2024 Sparkling Wine Forum, the International Conference on Sociology of Education and Society, the International Workshop on Ecologically Based Pest Management, the American Phytopathological Society Plant Health Meeting, Organic Guelph Conference, the Annual Meeting of American of the American Society of Eonology and Viticulture and the Wine Production and Climate Change Workshop.
Grants and funding
In 2024-25, CCOVI’s innovative ideas led to the Institute securing funding that will keep it at the forefront of developments in cool climate grape and wine research. Brock researchers associated with CCOVI received $1,926,560 in government and industry support in 2024-25.
In total, $1,115,769 came from government for projects done in collaboration with industry, while industry themselves contributed $442,757 in cash and $127,709 in kind for projects. Projects funded by government that did not involve industry partners totalled $240,325. Over the past five years, the Institute has received almost $18 million in government and industry support.
Affiliated institutes and international partners
As an industry leader in cool climate wine research, CCOVI has research partners both at home and abroad. The Institute’s researchers further establish and develop new opportunities through their respective professional organizations.
CCOVI leads provincial grape and wine initiatives and works closely with national partners to address Canada’s priorities. This work takes a coast-to-coast approach, linking research and researchers from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.
As part of this national approach, CCOVI renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2025. This MOU was initiated in 2010 to foster collaboration and exchange between CCOVI researchers and researchers at AAFC and has continued to be renewed with the latest extension to 2030. CCOVI also has MOUs with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency through to 2034 and the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network renewable in 2030.
These networks use knowledge and technology transfer of research outputs to help strengthen the $11.6-billion economic impact of the sector nationally.
CCOVI Researchers, Scientists and Fellows are active members of respected professional networks, such as the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, the Academy of Wine Business Research and the American Association of Wine Economists. These networks help researchers raise the profile of both the Institute and their work in international academic circles while making and maintaining connections for future research partnerships.
Research helps strengthen the national economic impact of the grape and wine sector
$11.6 billion
Industry outreach
CCOVI plays a critical role in the growth and sustainability of Canada’s grape and wine industry through its innovative outreach programs. This includes services that help growers and winemakers make informed decisions in their operations as well as workshops, seminars and conferences that focus on knowledge mobilization and technology transfer.
In 2024-25, almost 2,000 industry professionals took part in or utilized CCOVI’s outreach programs and services. Through close collaboration with the industry, CCOVI continues to develop and adapt its programs and services to meet the shifting needs.
Analytical Services
CCOVI’s Analytical Services lab offers a wide range of standard analytical services to the grape and wine, cider, beer and distillery industries. The juice, wine and alcoholic beverage analysis lab fills a void in available services in Canada and provides clients with timely service at competitive rates. The services offered by the lab continue to expand year-over-year and are continually evolving to serve the needs of its growing client base across the industry.
VQA testing
In July of 2024, CCOVI Analytical Services accepted a request from the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority (OWAA) to provide quality assurance testing.
Results of such testing provide the Authority with timely, accurate and expertly produced findings that are reviewed by the organization to ensure wines pass the chemical testing required to attain VQA Ontario approval. Wines sold at retail outlets featuring the VQA stamp of approval inform consumers that the product is a 100 per cent Ontario wine and meet the high-quality standard.
In 2024-25, CCOVI Analytical Services tested 312 samples for acetic acid, residual sugar, alcohol and turbidity to support the OWAA and its efforts to uphold the integrity of VQA standards.
Analytical Services by the numbers
During the 2024 harvest, the database received
Preharvest Monitoring
with people in 12 countries checking in to see how Niagara’s harvest was progressing.
Since 2010, CCOVI’s Preharvest Monitoring has been tracking the progress of Niagara’s wine grape harvest. Using data obtained at four sites per variety across the Niagara Peninsula, the program tracks key fruit ripeness indicators for Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot noir, Cabernet sauvignon and Cabernet franc. This data is made readily available to the industry through an interactive online database (ccovi.ca/preharvest) that allows users to compare varieties and vintages at different sites across the region. Users can then put the data into context by comparing current numbers to previous harvests to make informed vineyard management decisions.
Preharvest Monitoring by the numbers
VineAlert
VineAlert is one of the Institute’s flagship outreach programs. Now that research and development of the system has been completed, with growers coming to rely on the program since its 2010 launch, the Grape Growers of Ontario is now offering this service to the industry independently from CCOVI. The VineAlert platform has once again been licensed to the Centre de Recherche Agroalimentaire de Mirabel to support grape growers in Quebec.
It tracks the cold hardiness of grapevines throughout the dormant period of December through April. The data is then used as an early warning system that alerts growers to turn on wind machines or take other precautionary measures to mitigate potential damage from extreme weather events.
The alert system has 616 subscribers that generated more than 11,000 page views of the program’s data in 2024-25. The online cold hardiness database (ccovi.ca/vine-alert) has been of interest to researchers and growers around the world, with people from 66 countries exploring VineAlert’s data.
Grapevine Virus Testing
Grapevines are susceptible to many virus and virus-like agents that can negatively impact the health and quality of grapevine and its products. Detection is the first step in the management of grapevine virus diseases.
CCOVI offers highly sensitive and accurate molecular virus diagnostics through its virus testing services to help manage the health status of grapevines. CCOVI is the only testing service used by the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network for their clean plant program. In 2024-25, more than 5,000 grapevine virus tests were performed at CCOVI.
Our ongoing research and testing assist in the management of these diseases through dissemination of science-based knowledge, innovation and collaborations to serve the Canadian grape and wine industry.
Virus testing statistics
Over 5,000 grapevine virus tests performed
Outreach events
Whether through industry-sponsored conferences, workshops or lecture series, CCOVI advances technology and knowledge transfer throughout the industry.
In consultation with industry stakeholders, the Institute is continually developing new outreach programs. CCOVI’s outreach events are pivotal in engaging with industry to advance their goals and ensure technology is transferred to their workforce.
International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration
In collaboration with industry partners, CCOVI continued to help develop educational sessions as part of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration’s (i4C) School of Cool in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The event, held in July 2024, attracted nearly 300 industry and media participants from across Canada and the world. CCOVI helped to kick off the annual celebration with signature School of Cool lecture sessions and tastings on July 18.
Offering three flights of eight Chardonnays from across three continents, the School of Cool provided guests the chance to not only enhance their palates but also engage in technical discussion, lively debate and a reunion of industry professionals. CCOVI helped to develop the annual educational opportunity as part of the i4C’s Education Committee.
Triggs Lecture Series
Held every two years in Ontario and British Columbia, and organized by CCOVI, the Triggs Lecture series returned in August 2024.
Launched in 2004, the series brings a leading international viticultural speaker to provide their expertise through vineyard visits and a public lecture on key issues relating to premium vinifera grape production.
The four-day series highlighted the expertise of Markus Keller, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Distinguished Professor of Viticulture at Washington State University’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center.
Each province hosted two days that included a technical workshop in three separate vineyards on the first day and a public lecture on the second day. The opening day topic discussed how the industry can improve the resiliency of Ontario’s vineyards in the face of climate change. On the second day, Keller delivered his public lecture entitled “Making vineyards more resilient to respond to climate change” to about 60 grape growers, winemakers, researchers, scientists and students at Brock.
With the diversity of grape growing locations in Ontario along with changing weather patterns, Keller discussed various strategies to moderate and mitigate the impact of climate change at three vineyard sites in Niagara. Vineyard site hosts included Bill and Brian Schenck of Schenck Farms, Matthew Speck of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery and Tristan Bondett from Malivoire Winery.
The B.C. leg of the series took place in the Okanagan wine region. Vineyard recovery after a severe weather event was the topic, looking at the extreme cold that B.C. wine regions experienced in 2022 and 2024.
Discussions focused on the assessment of injury to grapevines and ways to help B.C. growers develop long-term sustainable recovery strategies. Vineyard site hosts included Matt Mavety from Blue Mountain Winery, Troy Osborne from See Ya Later Ranch and Trevor Broemer of Hidden Valley Vineyards. A public lecture was held the next day in conjunction with the B.C. Grape Growers Association Annual General Meeting.
The International Premium Vinifera Lecture Series at CCOVI is made possible through an endowment established by Donald and Elaine Triggs. It expanded its offerings to both the Ontario and B.C. grape and wine regions in 2011 thanks to the support of BASF Canada.
Experts Tasting
The Experts Tasting is an annual by-invitation-only event for guests, which include media, product consultants, sommeliers and wine educators. These experts and enthusiasts advance the reputation and value of VQA wines through education and/or promotion. The tasting has been held for 32 years and hosted by CCOVI since 1999.
The 2024 theme of Then and Now welcomed 120 expert tasters to Brock University for a rare educational opportunity to evaluate and explore same-label VQA wines that were at least five years apart in age and originated from the same winemakers and vineyards in Ontario.
The tasting was constructed in the Burgundian format, beginning with rich, deep red wines and progressing to brilliant white wines that showcase the breadth and complexity of ageable Ontario VQA wine. A judging panel was tasked with blind tasting more than 100 wine submissions to approve the nearly 40 wines presented at the Experts Tasting.
CCOVI Lecture Series
CCOVI works with the industry to present the event, which was hosted in 2024 by CCOVI Senior Oenology Scientist Jennifer Kelly. Speakers included Katie Dickieson, Winemaker — Vineyard Operations, Peller Estates; Mitchel McCurdy, Winemaker, Marynissen Estates; Nick Gizuk, Winemaker, Inniskillin Wines; Heather McDougall, Sommelier, Sips Toronto and CAPS Board; and Michael Godel, Partner/Principal Critic, WineAlign.
The 2024 CCOVI Lecture Series ran from January to April and featured 12 lectures presented by CCOVI Researchers, Scientists, Fellows, Professional Affiliates and their collaborators. Lecturers presented on topics including invasive species, consumer behaviour, updating the Clean Plant Program and wine’s connection to health.
With options to view online from anywhere in the world and in person at Brock University, attendance at the 2024 series was substantial with 310 people taking the time to watch the experts discuss topics important and timely to the grape and wine industry.
Archived lecture series videos from previous years also continued to remain popular online, receiving 1,215 views in 2024 from across the globe.
Community engagement
“What Kind of Cool Are You?”
sensory tasting experience
In July 2024, CCOVI continued its outreach mission of knowledge mobilization and community engagement at the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C). As part of i4C’s Friday Night Flights event at Cherry Lane Farm, CCOVI staff and OEVI students greeted guests with the simple question: “What Kind of Cool Are You?”
The unique sensory tasting experience is designed to help guests discover their own Chardonnay profile and preference. After learning about four different styles of cool climate Chardonnay, guests were charged to find their favourite style — either crisp, fruity, rich or smooth.
The style preferred by the taster then helped them to navigate through the cool climate Chardonnays from regions around the world that were available at the tasting, giving them a better understanding of their own palates.
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
CCOVI has been partnering with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival at Montebello Park in St. Catharines for more than 25 years, offering interactive and educational seminars as part of its outreach and community engagement. In 2024, CCOVI, in partnership with Archives Wine Bar, presented “Come Taste the Place.”
CCOVI Senior Oenology Scientist Jennifer Kelly and owner/proprietor of Archives Robbie Raskin presented five wines with food pairings to festival goers. Wineries engaged in the seminar included Fred Wines, Meldville Wines, Lailey Winery, Stonebridge Winery and Sons and Daughters Winery.
CCOVI Director awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Director of CCOVI Debbie Inglis was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in March 2024 at a ceremony held in Brock’s Goodman Atrium.
Presented by Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, the medal celebrates an individual’s dedication, service and lasting impact on the community and country. Inglis was recognized for her more than 25 years of work at CCOVI supporting both Niagara and Canada’s grape and wine sector. Inglis was one of 30 St. Catharines residents who were recognized for their contributions with a medal.
Cuvée Grand Tasting
VQA wines take centre stage at Cuvée 2025
With a spotlight on world-class Ontario VQA wines and Niagara’s top culinary talent, the 33rd edition of the Cuvée Grand Tasting delivered on its promise to be a savoury and sparkling experience.
Presented by CCOVI, the fan-favourite affair drew more than 500 guests for an evening featuring selections from the province’s top winemakers combined with delicious food pairings from the region’s leading chefs. The evening was an opportunity for CCOVI to honour current and future members of the industry, with eight awards presented.
2025 Student Award recipients
Victoria Parsons
top marks in the Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology program
Evan Smith
top marks in second year of the OEVI program
Alex Klauck
top marks in third year of the OEVI program
Simon Koop
top marks in fourth year of the OEVI program
Reid Ball
Master of Science student: for scholastic achievements at the graduate level in grape and wine science
The Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence Award — honouring a grower who promotes excellence in their vineyard — went to Tom Wiley of Wiley Vineyards in Jordan, Ont. (1).
The Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence was presented to photographer Steven Elphick, well known for his wine images throughout Ontario, (2).
The Cuvée Winemaker of Excellence Award was presented to Thomas Bachelder of Bachelder Niagara in Beamsville, Ont. (3).
The remaining awards — made possible thanks to the Cuvée Legacy Fund, which supports scholarships in Brock’s undergraduate Applied Grape and Wine Science program as well as graduate degrees in oenology, viticulture and business — honoured five students (4).
Proceeds from the evening’s tickets support student scholarships and grape and wine research.
Education
Oenology and Viticulture degree program
With CCOVI’s resources, Brock is uniquely positioned to offer Canada’s only undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in Oenology and Viticulture (OEVI). Although CCOVI does not administer the degree programs, the Institute has close ties to how they operate and offers its facilities for student training. CCOVI also offers education sessions and volunteer opportunities to students and supports alumni with professional development after graduation.
In the 2024-25 academic year, there were 14 students enrolled as Honours BSc degree candidates, and seven in the Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology.
At the graduate level, CCOVI Researchers, Scientists and Fellows train students in the fields of oenology and viticulture, wine business and geography. During this period, there were 16 students pursuing master’s degrees, five engaged in PhD studies in grape and wine related fields and three postdoctoral fellows studying with CCOVI affiliates. In addition, 12 undergraduate students conducted research projects with CCOVI while 18 research assistants were trained, totalling 54 highly qualified personnel trained in 2024-25.
OEVI student-made wine sells out at charity auction
A group of Brock University Applied Grape and Wine Science (OEVI) students won the hearts of wine lovers while supporting a good cause in April 2025.
Their sparkling wine, made under the Marynissen Estates label, sold out during the Grapes for Humanity Fine Wine Auction, marking the first time a wine produced by OEVI students was made available on the open market.
The group joined more than 25 other Ontario winemakers to handcraft 12 Cuvée from the Heart wines, contributing 132 of the auction’s more than 600 lots.
The team was mentored through the production process by Brock graduates Mitch McCurdy (BSc ’18) and Marc Pistor (BSc ’06), Head Winemaker and Director of Wine Making Operations, respectively, of Marynissen Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Grapes for Humanity raised a total of $660,000, with proceeds going to Tree Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
The students’ wine, called Field Blend, was sold in two ways: as part of a mixed case that included all 12 Cuvée from the Heart wines or as six full cases of 12 bottles.
Front row, from left: Rob Hines, Holly Eaton, Charlotte Roberts and Jane MacDonald. Back row, from left: Alex Klauck, Victoria Parsons, Jonah Schenck, Simon Koop and Ben Kapteyn. Not pictured: Sonya Verma and Zeynep Ceri.
Professional and Continuing Studies
Brock University launched a new model to support the expansion of its non-credit programming and improve access for learners, with CCOVI joining in August 2024.
The Non-Credit Programming Model centralizes options through Brock Professional and Continuing Studies (Brock PCS), which will support the development of new non-credit programming at the University. A hybrid model has been implemented for CCOVI, with paid marketing and registration being managed through Brock PCS.
In 2024-25, CCOVI offered 16 courses that instructed 303 students.
The new programming model continues to put focus on improving student supports across the University following procurement of the Modern Campus, Extended Education (Destiny One) student management system and the redesign of the Brock PCS website.
With many online offerings — such as the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program, a highly respected and internationally transferable wine certification — CCOVI’s continuing education programs attract students from around the world. In-person options are also available. CCOVI is also an educational partner with the Cider Institute, formerly the Cider Institute of North America (CINA).
Professional and Continuing Studies courses
CCOVI Executive Committee, Advisory Council and Outreach Committee
CCOVI Executive Committee
Tim Kenyon Chair, Vice-President of Research, Brock University
Shiraz Mottiar
Allan Schmidt
Matthias Oppenlaender
John De Sousa
Don Cyr
Debra Inglis
Industry representative, CCOVI Advisory Council Chair
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario and Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc.
Wine Growers Ontario
CCOVI Fellow, Brock University
Ex-officio, CCOVI Director
CCOVI Outreach Committee
Barb Tatarnic
Steven Trussler
Sudarsana Poojari
Jennifer Kelly
Malkie Spodek
Kevin Ker
Kevin Buis
Lawrence Buhler
Nick Gizuk
Nadia Senchuk
Yvonne Irvine
Roger Vail
Allison Christ
Colin Stanners
Scott Wilkens
Chair, CCOVI Manager of Professional Studies and Outreach
CCOVI Micro-credential Co-ordinator
CCOVI Principal Scientist, Virology
CCOVI Scientist, Oenology
CCOVI Scientist, Entomology
CCOVI research associate
Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative from grape and wine region outside of Niagara
Industry representative from grape and wine region outside of Niagara
Industry representative from grape and wine region outside of Niagara
Debra Inglis Ex-officio, CCOVI Director
CCOVI Advisory Council
Shiraz Mottiar Chair, Industry representative
Carolyn Hurst
Allan Schmidt
Ed Madronich
Michelle Wasylyshen
Matthias Oppenlaender
Kevin Watson
Erwin Wiens
Debbie Zimmerman
Doug Hernder
John De Sousa
Rob Enns
Aaron Dobbin
Darien Temprile
Dan Paszkowski
Hans Buchler
Eugene Jaworski
George Soleas
Douglas Reddick
Laurie Macdonald
Craig Youdale
John Cranfield
Arja Vainio-Matilla
Tim Kenyon
Michelle McGinn
Gary Pickering
Don Cyr
Barb Tatarnic
Debra Inglis
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Ontario Craft Wineries
Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario and Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc.
Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario
Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario
Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative, Wine Growers Ontario
Industry representative, Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc.
Industry representative, Wine Growers Canada
Industry representative, Canadian Grapevine Certification Network
Government representative, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Government representative, Liquor Control Board of Ontario
Government representative, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Regulatory agency representative, Ontario Wine Appellation Authority
Education representative, Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Niagara College
Education representative, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph
Brock Representative, Vice-President, Academic and Provost
Brock representative, Vice-President, Research
Acting Vice-President, Research
Brock representative, CCOVI Researcher
Brock representative, CCOVI Fellow
CCOVI representative, Manager of Professional Studies and Outreach
Ex-officio, CCOVI Director
CCOVI Researchers, Scientists, Fellows and Professional Affiliates
CCOVI Researchers
Debbie Inglis CCOVI Director, Professor, Biological Sciences
Gary Pickering Professor, Biological Sciences
Jim Willwerth Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
CCOVI Scientists
Jennifer Kelly Scientist in Oenology
Malkie Spodek Scientist in Entomology
Sudarsana Poojari Principal Scientist in Grapevine Virology
CCOVI Fellows
Don Cyr Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
Dirk De Clercq Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
Vincenzo De Luca Professor, Biological Sciences, Brock University
Charles Després Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Brock University
Ronald Jackson Sensory Science, University of Manitoba
Lester Kwong Associate Professor, Social Sciences, Brock University
Amy Lemay Post-doctoral Fellow, Niagara Community Observatory, Brock University
Antonia Mantonakis Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
Baozhong Meng Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
Michael Ripmeester Professor, Social Sciences, Brock University
Joachim Scholz Assistant Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
Tony Shaw Professor Emeritus, Social Sciences, Brock University
Jeffrey Stuart Professor, Biological Sciences, Brock University
Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
George van der Merwe Associate Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
Liette Vasseur Professor, Biological Sciences, Brock University
CCOVI Professional Affiliates
Carl Bogdanoff Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre
Pat A. Bowen Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre
Linda Bramble Wine writer, author and educator
Janet Dorozynski Trade Commissioner, Wine, Beer & Spirits, Global Affairs Canada
Kaiser Family
Kevin Ker Viticulture consultant
Alexandra Mayeski, Lawyer, Mayeski Mathers LLP
Wendy McFadden-Smith Horticulture IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Justin Renkema Research Scientist, AAFC’s Vineland Research and Development Centre
George Soleas President and CEO, LCBO
José Ramón Úrbez-Torres Research Scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre
Kevin Usher Oenology research scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre