Grape Growers Of Ontario

December 16, 2009

The Grape Growers of Ontario Welcome the Federal Government's Investment in Research for the Ontario Grape and Wine Industry

St. Catharines, ON (Wednesday, December 16, 2009): The Grape Growers of Ontario welcome the announcement made today at Brock University by St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra that their application for federal funding through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Developing Innovative Agri-Products (DIAP) initiative under the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovations program has been approved.

The application, entitled “Harvesting Innovation for Growth and Sustainability of the Canadian Grape and Wine Industry,” covers three key activities to bring vital resourcing to this agricultural sector: gaining research expertise in strategic areas of oenology and viticulture, developing outreach services for the industry to assist in the implementation and transfer of new technology and innovations, and securing operating funds to address key industry priorities.

“With the federal government’s investment in the Canadian grape and wine industry through this DIAP application and our partnership with Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, the Ontario grape and wine industry will continue to be an economic driver in agri-innovation not only for the benefit in Ontario, but also for this sector across Canada,” says Matthias Oppenlaender, Co-Chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario Board of Directors and Chair of Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc.

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario, says: “We are pleased with the Federal Government’s announcement to invest in the Ontario grape and wine industry through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Developing Innovative Agri-Products initiative. We look forward to working with all industry partners to ensure prosperous and sustainable growth within the grape and wine sector.”

The Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization that represents over 484 actively producing grape growers of 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

MEDIA RELEASE FROM CCOVI, BROCK UNIVERSITY

Federal Research Money Will Help Brock Help Grape Growers And Wineries

The federal government announced today that the Grape Growers of Ontario and Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute will receive up to $1.9 million to fund new research that will directly support Canada’s grape and wine industry.

Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, made the announcement at Brock on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz. Dykstra said $1.45 million, or 75 per cent of the money, will come from the federal Developing Innovative Agri-Products program, which supports industry-led science and technology projects that help make Canada’s agriculture sector more innovative and competitive. The remaining money will come from industry.

“This is a great day for Brock and a great step forward for Canada’s grape and wine industry,” said Dykstra. “Our government recognizes the long-term benefits to our community of investing in this important industry in order to ensure it remains sustainable and competitive on a global basis.”

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario, said, “We are pleased with the federal government’s announcement to invest in the Ontario grape and wine industry. We look forward to working with all industry partners to ensure prosperous and sustainable growth within the grape and wine sector.”

CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis said the funding will add two key positions to its research team, scientists whose work will focus on priorities identified by the industry itself.

“Today marks a turning point for Brock and for our grape and wine industry,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Working with wineries and growers, we will develop outreach programs based on industry priorities. If sudden issues occur, CCOVI will now have the resources to work with industry as soon as these issues arise, and work toward solutions at an accelerated pace.”

Brock President Jack Lightstone called today’s news another sign of the growing partnership between the University and the community. “This is an example of how we strive to take our knowledge and research out of the labs and into the fields and wineries,” said Lightstone.

Learn more about the Developing Innovative Agri-Products program at www.agr.gc.ca (under Growing Forward, Science).

For more information contact:

* Jeffrey Sinibaldi, Media Relations Officer, Brock University, 905-688-5550 x4687

* Karen Moncur, Constituency Office of Rick Dykstra, 905-934-6767

* Nick Hubbard, Grape Growers of Ontario, 905-688-0990 x229

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