Grape Growers of Ontario

June 11, 2007

Prince Edward County Winegrowers Receive Designated Viticultural Area Status

St. Catharines, ON (Monday, June 11, 2007): Following today’s announcement by the Government of Ontario, Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario, along with Bill George Jr., Chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario, are pleased to congratulate the grape growers and vintners in Prince Edward County for receiving their designation as an official viticultural area in Ontario.

Debbie Zimmerman said, “Within a short span of eight years, growers in Prince Edward County have moved the industry from a small start in the vineyards to a designated viticultural area and a strong marketing base for VQA wines – 100% Ontario grown. Currently there are about 40 vineyards in Prince Edward County.” She further stated, “this announcement starts a new era for Prince Edward County grape growers and wineries whose wines can now be designated VQA Prince Edward County.”

Richard Johnston, President of the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association states, “It’s a little overwhelming when you realize that as an official wine growing area in Canada we also become a small patch in the world-wide appellation quilt and part of a wine history that stretches back thousands of years,” he said. “It is a big day.”

Bill George Jr., Chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario comments, “On behalf of the Grape Growers of Ontario I am pleased to extend congratulations to Mr. Richard Johnston, Chair of the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association, for his and his Association’s diligent efforts and persistence in pursuing the Designated Viticultural Area status. The grape growers in Prince Edward County are to be proud of their loyalty to the grape growing industry and to growing 100% Ontario wine.”

The Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization that represents over 600 grower members of nearly 15.7 million vines on 17,800 acres in the province’s four growing areas: Niagara Peninsula, Pelee Island, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County and is the official lobby organization for our members.”

For more information contact:

Debbie M. Zimmerman, C.E.O.

(905) 688-0990, ext. 225

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