Grape Growers of Ontario

September 16, 2009

Grape Growers of Ontario Install the 2009 Grape King

St. Catharines, ON (Wednesday, September 16, 2009): Following today’s 2009 Grape King installation, Grape Growers of Ontario Board Chair, Bill George Jr. and CEO, Debbie Zimmerman are pleased to announce that Bill Schenck of Schenck Farms in St. Catharines has been named the 2009 Grape King.

Grape Growers of Ontario Chair, Bill George Jr. comments, “We are delighted to have Bill serve as the 2009 Grape King as an ambassador for grape growers in Ontario. Bill is a fourth generation grape grower growing high quality vinifera grapes.”

Bill Schenck states, “I am honoured to be chosen as Grape King for 2009 and am pleased to be continuing the family tradition of growing grapes. I am looking forward to working as an ambassador for grape growers across Ontario as we try to move our industry forward.”

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario indicates, “The Grape King represents grape growing excellence throughout Ontario. Through hard work and dedication Bill continues to achieve excellence by employing innovative vineyard management techniques.”

Farming began in the Schenck family in 1882 when Lou Schenck started growing fruits and vegetables and established a company in St. Catharines called L.M. Schenck & Co. The gradual shift away from vegetables to fruit was done in the 1920's when Lou Schenck II began working full time on the farm. Presently the company is managed by Louis IV, Bob, John, John Jr., Joe and Bill, who are all members of the Schenck family. The farm has stayed much the same in size except the crops have changed to 50% peaches and 50% grapes. Bill is the 4th generation of the Schenck family involved in farming and is married to Kathleen; they have four children: Jennifer, Colleen, Amanda and Brian.

The Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization that represents over 600 registered grower members of nearly 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 M. Zimmerman, CEO

(905) 688-0990 ext. 225

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