2010 PREMIER'S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION EXCELLENCE
Allowing the vine to grow as naturally as possible is the way Hughes Vineyards produces the grapes that are in demand by some of the best wineries in Ontario. Over the last 10 years, Hughes Vineyards has embraced the principles of biodiversity by looking for new ways to improve natural methods of controlling vigour, pests, and vine balance while reducing the need for artificial methods. Using native Niagara flowering plants to attract natural predatory insects in large enough populations, they are able to eliminate the need for insecticides and miticides. These beneficial plants also establish a cover crop that helps to control grape vine vigour. This innovative approach has allowed Hughes Vineyards to reduce operating costs by almost 10 per cent per acre, a significant achievement

2010 PREMIER'S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION EXCELLENCE
Sweet & Sticky Inc. Ice Syrup - His idea has resulted in a new product - a rich-flavoured, non-alcoholic syrup that has many potential food applications. The syrup is made through an evaporation process that brings the grape juice to a stable syrup consistency, without boiling or caramelizing.  

2011 LARRY PATERSON AWARD
Closson Chase is proud to announce that viticulturalist and winemaker Deborah Paskus received the inaugural Larry Paterson Award, on Friday night, June 10, at the 2011 annual Ontario Wine Awards.

2011 ONTARIO HOSTELRY INSTITUTE TOP 30 UNDER 30 AWARD
Yannick Wertsch has achieved a Top 30 Under 30 award from the Ontario Hostelry Institute.  This award is an annual recognition program that celebrates the hospitality and foodservice industry’s top 30 young professionals in all sectors. Yannick is co-owner and winemaker at Between the Lines Winery and Wertsch family vineyards in Niagara.

2011 ONTARIO'S OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMERS AWARD
Wes and Briar Wiens were selected as Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2011. The Wiens of Gemmrich W. Nursery in Niagara-on-the-Lake received this top provincial honour at an awards ceremony on Friday March 11, 2011 in Ajax, Ontario.  The Wiens were chosen from a group of farmers from across Ontario that exemplify and demonstrate innovation and progress in their agricultural careers.

2010 INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION
Congratulations to Peller Estates on receiving a Gold medal for their 2007 Andrew Peller Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2010 International Wine and Spirit Competition in the UK —a Canadian first!