Grape Growers of Ontario

April 7, 2008

Grape Growers of Ontario - Moving Forward with 60 Years of Growing Excellence

Thorold, ON: During the Grape Growers of Ontario’s annual state of the industry address today, Bill George Jr., Chair, and Debbie Zimmerman, CEO, of the Grape Growers of Ontario, spoke about achieving excellence by growing challenges into opportunities, 2007 crop numbers and current and future initiatives.

“As I reflect on 60 years of history, the grape growing industry in Ontario has grown to world-renowned status. Growing excellence and quality is our priority,” said Bill George Jr. “The grape harvest of 2007 is marked with outstanding quality, due in large part, to innovative and sustainable vineyard management practices of our over 600 registered grape growers,” he added.

The Growers reported the following on the 2007 season:

A total 2007 crop of 56,315 tonnes, marked with high quality.
In dollar value the 2007 crop translates into a farm gate value of $74.9 million.
The final year of a 3-year pricing agreement as per the short crop Memorandum of Understanding.
The end of an era of excellence in juice grape production with the closure of the Cadbury Schweppes plant in St. Catharines impacting about 105 growers and 2,000 acres of vineyard.
Announcement by the Government of Ontario for the 2007 Ontario Juice Grape Transition Program ($3.8 million) for our beleaguered juice grape growers and the Government of Canada for the Orchard and Vineyard Transition Program ($22.3 million).
The formation of the Ontario Grape and Wine Research Foundation to coordinate industry driven applicable research.
Implementation of innovative technology such as the weigh bill system.

“Our focus is on moving forward with 60 years of grape growing excellence. We continue to make progress and grow challenges into opportunities,” said Debbie Zimmerman. Zimmerman went on to say “while we continue to face market competition and challenges, our industry continues to progressively move forward with initiatives based on sound planning, research to ensure healthy vineyards and good crops, cutting-edge technology and vineyard management practices.”

“The success of the Ontario grape and wine industry has a direct financial impact on the economy of Ontario. For example, an acre of grapes brings approximately $25,698 to the province of Ontario and $2,016 to the Government of Canada in tax revenue per year,” said Debbie Zimmerman.

The Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization that represents over 600 registered growers of 17.1 million vines on 15,000 acres in the province’s four viticulture areas: Niagara Peninsula, Pelee Island, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County.

For more information, contact:

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO

905-688-0990 ext. 225

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