Grape Growers of Ontario

August 1, 2007

Rex Murphy to Bring his Quick Wit, as Speaker, to the Scotiabank Celebrity Luncheon

St. Catharines, ON: The Grape Growers of Ontario together with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Scotiabank are pleased to announce that Canadian writer and broadcaster - Rex Murphy – will be the speaker at the Celebrity Luncheon which kicks off the 56th annual Niagara Wine Festival. The event will take place at Club Roma in St. Catharines on Wednesday, September 19th at 11:45am.

“We look forward with great anticipation to Rex Murphy’s insight and humour about the Canadian identity and perspective,” said Larry Graber, Agricultural Banking – Relationship Manager, Scotiabank. “We’re delighted to have such an acclaimed speaker to join us in September,” Graber continued.

Rex Murphy was born and raised near St. John’s, Newfoundland where he graduated from Memorial University. In 1968, he went to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He is host of Cross Country Checkup and contributes weekly TV essays on various topics to CBC TV’s The National and is noted for his documentaries and political commentary.

Rex Murphy said that “the success of the Niagara region, and the growth of a world-class industry, in the competitive and traditional industry of grape growing and wine-making is one of the outstanding accomplishments of this province. It is quite simply a marvel. And the region itself has become, for its vineyards, wine and for its always present natural beauty, a magnet for tourists and citizens alike.”

“We see the success of the Greenbelt closely linked to the success of the Niagara grape and wine industry, so we are once again very proud to sponsor this year’s festival. This year’s speaker and the Greenbelt have a lot in common- they both get people talking” said Burkhard Mausberg, President of Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.

Bill George Jr., Chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario said “we are delighted to have such a high caliber speaker and it is with pleasure that we welcome Rex Murphy to open celebrations for the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival’s Niagara Wine Festival.”

For more information please call (905) 688-0212 or visit www.niagarawinefestival.com.

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 viticulture 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 Zimmerman, CEO

905-688-0990, ext. 225

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