2017- 18 CCOVI Annual Report

Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute 2017-18 Year in Review

2017-18 SNAPSHOT

dollar-sign USERS

2.5 million in research funding

2,563

participants in CCOVI programs or services

Graduation-Cap 244

continuing education students

49,115

buds sampled for CCOVI's VineAlert program

INSIDE Message from the Director.............................................. 3 About CCOVI...................................................................... 4 Research............................................................................... 5 Industry outreach............................................................ 10 Community engagement............................................... 15 Education........................................................................... 18 CCOVI Executive Committee, Advisory Council and Outreach Committee.............20 CCOVI Researchers, Scientists, Fellows and Professional Affiliates...............................22

TWITTER clipboard

1,870

Twitter followers

835 work orders processed

by Analytical Services

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Through our research, education and outreach work, CCOVI continues to make an impressive impact. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, more than 2,500 industry and community members participated in the institute’s programs and services while researchers secured more than $2.5 million in funding.

With two decades of research innovation firmly rooting CCOVI as a resource for the Canadian grape and wine industry, the institute extended its reach into consumer sciences with funding that will help CCOVI be an international leader in mediated reality wine consumer research. This funding will allow researchers to study the impact of sight, sound and smells on the wine choices of consumers. Our research program remains focused on providing innovative solutions and approaches to industry problems and priorities.

CCOVI’s commitment to community engagement continued this year with more than 1,200 community members participating in our programs. The 2018 Cuvée Grand Tasting, organized by CCOVI, also showcased the achievements of the industry by highlighting excellence in Ontario VQA winemaking to a record-setting 881 guests. Over the four years CCOVI has organized the event, more than $119,000 has been raised for the Cuvée Legacy Fund which supports student scholarships and funds research priorities identified by industry.

Our industry outreach programs continue to be in high demand. The Analytical Services department processed 835 work orders for clients this year, while industry engagement in our VineAlert and preharvest monitoring program remained high, providing data to hundreds of users looking to make informed decisions about their operations.

This year we celebrated a decade of offering high-quality continuing education offerings through the renowned Wine & Spirit Education Trust program. More than 730 students over the past 10 years have received their training through CCOVI. As the institute has grown, our continuing education offerings have developed alongside with studies in spirits and now cider and perry making being offered as a natural extension of our professional development opportunities for industry.

As we continue to evolve and expand our research programs, outreach services and educational opportunities, we will continue to work closely with industry partners and stakeholders to grow the industry that helped create us.

Best regards,

Debbie Inglis 3

ABOUT CCOVI In October 1996, Brock University, in partnership with the grape and wine industry, founded the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). CCOVI continues to work collaboratively with the Grape Growers of Ontario, the Wine Council of Ontario and the Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario to address issues of importance to the industry.

The internationally recognized research institute is dedicated to supporting the growth of the Canadian grape and wine industry and advancing cool climate winemaking globally. CCOVI’s research, education and outreach activities are based on three pillars – quality, innovation and sustainability.

CCOVI occupies a place not only within the university to network faculty, students and staff dedicated to advancing the Canadian grape and wine industry, but extends to partnering academic communities, federal and provincial government research organizations, regional grape and wine industry groups across Canada as well as in other global cool climate wine regions.

Over the past twenty years, the continued support from industry partners has been critical to the growth and development of the institute. That continued investment in CCOVI’s industry-driven activities has yielded a yearly economic return of more than $91 million to the provincial economy.

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RESEARCH CCOVI is Brock University’s flagship multidisciplinary research institute. It demonstrates the power of partnership and exemplifies the progress that can be achieved when industry and academia work together to create innovative solutions to problems.

As CCOVI has evolved, the institute has expanded its research focus from primarily looking at the disciplines of oenology and viticulture to work that covers all aspects of the grape and wine value-chain. CCOVI’s emphasis is on developing new globally competitive research projects based on industrydriven priorities. These projects aim to develop solutions to immediate industry challenges, identify new growth opportunities across the industry’s entire value chain and accelerate the commercialization of globally competitive products and services to improve effective knowledge transfer back to the industry.

As a bid to stay at the forefront of leading wine research, CCOVI announced this year that it would be the home of the world’s first augmented reality, virtual reality and sensory reality wine consumer lab to be known as the R3CL. The $2.4 million project will greatly enhance the institute’s research looking at fermentation science, wine flavour and consumer behaviour. This breakthrough is made possible thanks to the matching funding from the Ontario Research Fund and Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) along with significant contributions from industry partners.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2018, the lab will allow researchers to understand what piques a consumer’s interest and drives their choices, guiding the industry in marketing their wines to those potential customers. As it’s the first of its

kind, researchers will also be able to use the R3CL as a method of study to see how effective the technology is compared to looking at the same topic without mediated reality.

To help the industry be nimble in the face of changing climatic conditions, researchers looked at challenges facing growers and winemakers and adaptation measures. One project found that when late-maturing grape varieties are exposed to frost, frozen leaves and petioles, referred to as materials-otherthan-grapes, it can impact final wine quality. The team is now expanding its focus to look at ways growers can mitigate this negative impact on wine quality by creating a series of best practices. Other researchers looked at helping grape growers optimize cold hardiness of their grapevines using abscisic acid during periods when weather conditions can delay cold hardiness, thus improving vine protection strategies from freeze damage during dormancy.

Research projects also looked at improving the information that grape growers and winemakers have to make informed decisions in their operations. From examining how new technology can aid in precision agriculture to studying how winemaking decisions like yeast choice impact wine quality, CCOVI researchers are helping the industry take the guesswork out of adapting innovative practices to their operations.

CCOVI researchers are also looking at consumer behaviour and perception in a Canadian context, from understanding why consumers choose the wine they buy to how their genetics impact how they choose and enjoy alcoholic beverages. This knowledge also helps producers make informed choices.

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CCOVI’s 2017 -18 research projects are: • Improving cold hardiness and delaying deacclimation using long lasting abscisic acid analogs • Monitoring bud cold hardiness for the VineAlert program • Running an automated Weather Alert System for Ontario Tender Fruit Producers • Evaluating and validating grapevine cold hardiness models for Ontario • Furthering the development and implementation of fieldtest tools to prevent bird damage in horticultural crops • Creating innovative applications of proximal and remote sensing to assess variability in viticultural productivity • Investigating the impact of Materials Other than Grapes on red wine cultivars • Undertaking red blotch virus research • Using proximal sensing (GreenSeeker) for delineation of unique management zones in Ontario vineyards sensory analysis • Understanding how yeast choice impacts wine quality • Creating high quality Ontario sparkling wines with regional identity • Developing TanninAlert to help winemakers make informed decisions in red winemaking • Improving wine quality through methoxypyrazine remediation techniques CCOVI’s research continues to take an innovative approach to research projects that will help improve the quality, sustainability and growth of the Canadian grape and wine industry. The recruitment and training of highly qualified personnel to work on these industry-relevant projects trains the next generation of skilled labourers. Their involvement in conferences and publications further extends research findings to the international academic community.

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• Understanding how thermal tasting impacts consumers perception and liking of alcoholic beverages • Examining cross-national differences in online shopping on mobile phones • Metabolomics profiling in grape pomace extracts

PUBLICATIONS

Publications by the numbers

As an industry-driven research institute, CCOVI is committed to ensuring that research results and best practices are shared both academically and with local, national and international stakeholders. The institute’s communication and knowledge mobilization activities allow CCOVI to disseminate research through traditional publication channels as well as through both proactive and reactive media relations.

book 3

CHILD 50

File 21

Newspaper 124

Research is communicated formally to academic communities through published books, book chapters and journal articles as well as through conference proceedings worldwide. As part of CCOVI’s outreach activities, researchers also share their work through participation at industry meetings, events and through media interviews to ensure outputs from research programs get into the hands of end users—the grape growers, winemakers, winery owners and affiliated businesses.

Paperclip 17

books

publications

presentations

news articles

media releases

During the 2017-18 year, CCOVI affiliated researchers at Brock University participated in the publishing of three books and 21 academic publications on a wide range of wine-related topics. In additional to the research presented as part of the 2018 CCOVI Lecture Series at Brock University, CCOVI researchers also presented their findings during 50 conference presentations around the world.

In order to further raise the institute’s profile and continue knowledge transfer, CCOVI issued 17 media releases and was featured in 124 print media and broadcast news stories that highlighted the institute’s research and activities.

TRAINING OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL Highly qualified personnel working in CCOVI play an important role in advancing the progress of the institute’s research work. CCOVI Researchers, Scientists, Fellows and Professional Affiliates lead dynamic teams and lab groups that they mentor, train and develop.

The high calibre of talent in these teams is validated by the external recognition team members have received. Just last year, PhD candidates working with CCOVI researchers received Ontario Graduate Scholarships and international awards and scholarships from prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Enology and Viticulture.

Graduate students also represented the institute at international conferences including the Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium with both poster and oral presentations.

CCOVI’s international reputation has also attracted top internship students to the institute. During this period, nine international interns worked on CCOVI research projects. These students are able to bring their talent and experiences to the institute and take what they learn back to their own wine regions.

In total, CCOVI trained and developed the skills of 51 highly qualified personnel during this fiscal year.

Highly qualified personnel by the numbers

4

5

15

9

9

9

post-doctoral fellows

Masters students

research assistants

PhD students

Undergraduate students

interns

7

AFFILIATED INSTITUTES AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS CCOVI’s reputation as an industry-leader in cool climate wine research has helped it develop research partners both at home and abroad. The institute’s researchers further establish and develop new opportunities through the professional organizations they belong to.

GRANTS AND FUNDING In 2017/18, CCOVI’s innovative ideas led to the institute securing funding that will keep it at the forefront of developments in cool climate wine research. Brock researchers associated with CCOVI received $2,519,768 in grants to fund its cutting-edge research programs.

Of that funding, almost $320,700 came directly from industry partners. This level of direct funding from industry in addition to the in-kind contributions they provide, demonstrates their commitment to supporting the development of research solutions that support the growth and sustainability of their industry.

Over the past five years, the institute has received more than $6.9 million in government and industry funding.

CCOVI Researchers, Scientists and Fellows are active members of respected professional networks such as the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, the Academy of Wine Business Research and the American Association of Wine Economists. These networks help researchers raise the profile of both the institute and their work in academic circles while making and maintaining connections for future research partnerships.

Funding source

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

Government funding with industry partners

$2,136,198

$407,102

$491,268

$985,500

$786,163

Funding directly from Industry partners

$320,700

$432,560

$251,120

$132,235

$148,365

Government funding without industry partners

$62,870

$85,610

$85,000

$285,140

$256,140

$2,519,768

$925,272

$827,388

$1,402,875

$1,190,668

Total 8

To help advance knowledge and training opportunities for students and provide innovative solutions to industry problems, CCOVI leads provincial grape and wine initiatives and works closely with national partners to address Canada’s national priorities. This work takes a coast-to-coast approach linking research and researchers from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. These networks use knowledge and technology transfer of research outputs to help strengthen the $9 billion economic impact of the sector nationally.

CCOVI’s profile and the utilization of its strong relationships with stakeholder groups nationwide helped secure Canada’s first-ever bid to host the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium. Along with its partners, CCOVI is working to plan the 10th instalment of the symposium which will focus on ensuring the vitality of cool climate winemaking and grape growing in the face of changing climatic conditions.

Leading researchers, winemakers and grape growers from around the world will gather at Brock University from July 1217, 2020. In addition to the conference sessions, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in pre and post conference programming that will showcase Canada’s wine regions from coast-to-coast.

As part of the lead-up to the symposium and to highlight Canadian Chardonnay, 12 Niagara winemakers are using grapes from two specific vineyards to produce an assortment of oneof-a-kind Chardonnays. The Great Chardo Swap will see six winemakers from east of the Welland Canal making wine from grapes grown on the west side of the canal, and six winemakers from the west side making wine from grapes grown on the east.

All of the wines will be part of a grand tasting at ICCWS, and attendees will have the chance to discuss the decisions made by the winemakers at each stage of the process.

As the conference approaches, CCOVI looks forward to continuing to collaborate with both local and national stakeholders to showcase Canada’s outstanding wine industry to the world.

Learn more at ICCWS2020.ca

ICCWS Chardo West side winemaking team

ICCWS Chardo East side winemaking team

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INDUSTRY OUTREACH CCOVI’s outreach programs play a critical role in the growth and sustainability of Canada’s grape and wine industry. The institute’s innovative outreach programs include services that help growers and winemakers make informed decisions in their operations, as well as workshops, seminars and conferences that focus on knowledge mobilization.

In 2017-18, 1,352 industry professionals took part in or utilized CCOVI’s outreach programs and services and even more took advantage of the institute’s online resources.

The programs and services CCOVI offers is constantly being developed and adapted in order to continually meet the changing needs of the industry – both today, and into the future – through close collaboration with the industry.

Industry members participation in CCOVI outreach activities Outreach activity

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

Workshops and seminars

492

713

510

315

627

Conferences

350

350

350

360

380

Outreach services

510

505

325

287

231

1,352

1,568

1,185

962

1,238

Total participants 10

ANALYTICAL SERVICES CCOVI’s Analytical Services lab is a full-service facility that offers a wide range of standard analytical services to the grape and wine, cider, beer and distillery industries.

The juice, wine and alcoholic beverage analysis lab fills a void in available services in Canada and provides clients timely service at competitive rates. The demand is evident by the fact the lab’s work orders have increased 47 per cent over the past two years.

The lab is also actively promoting their contract research services where CCOVI can conduct research projects utilizing the institute’s expertise to help analyze data and assist in project design in a confidential environment.

Along with providing support to CCOVI researchers, the department also acts as the third-party dispute resolution facility for grape analysis at harvest on behalf of the Grape Growers of Ontario.

Analytical Services by the numbers Harvest season

2017/18

2016/17

2015/16

2014/15

2013/14

Number of work orders

835

751

567

602

515

Number of customers

110

134

99

95

100

PREHARVEST MONITORING PROGRAM CCOVI’s wine grape Preharvest Monitoring program has been tracking the progress of Niagara’s harvest for eight years. Using data obtained at four sites across the Niagara peninsula, the program tracks key fruit ripeness indicators for Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot noir, Cabernet sauvignon and Cabernet franc. This data is made readily available to the industry through an interactive online database that allows users to compare varieties and vintages at different sites across the region. This allows users to put the data into context by comparing current numbers to previous harvests to make informed vineyard management decisions.

During the 2017 harvest, the database received 2,273 page views with people in 14 countries checking in to see how Niagara’s harvest was progressing.

Preharvest monitoring

2017/18

2016/17

2015/16

2014/15

2013/14

Database page views

2,273

1,945

1,658

2,106

2,510

Number of countries

14

17

38

23

N/A 11

VINEALERT AND TENDER FRUIT ALERT VineAlert is one of the institute’s flagship outreach programs and operates in collaboration with Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. It tracks the cold hardiness of grapevines throughout the dormant period in the province’s three designated viticultural areas: the Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County. That data is then leveraged to act as an early warning system that alerts growers to turn on wind machines or take other precautionary measures in order to mitigate potential damage against impending extreme weather events.

Currently the alert system has 400 subscribers that generate more than 11,900 page views of the program’s data each year, with view numbers commensurate with the number of cold weather events in a given season. In addition to assisting Ontario growers, the online cold hardiness database has been of interest to researchers and growers around the world with users in 33 countries looking at VineAlert’s data.

External organizations have also taken notice of the impact the program is having. In 2016, VineAlert was selected by the Council of Ontario University’s Research Matters campaign as one of 50 ‘gamechanging’ research partnerships between industry and universities. This recognition, and the overall success of the VineAlert program, illustrates how CCOVI’s strong industry partnerships advance research and innovation while simultaneously overcoming challenges identified by the industry.

VineAlert statistics

By the numbers

400

subscribers

11,963

database page views

49,115

buds tested for VineAlert during the winter of 2017-18

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Winter

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

Database page views

11,963

11,077

14,713

15,533

16,742

VineAlert subscribers

400

371

226

192

131

Number of countries

33

61

82

67

43

In 2014, based on the success of VineAlert a similar system was launched for the tender fruit industry. This year, the system provided vital information to 371 users.

Tender Fruit Alert statistics Winter

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

1,027

1,227

3,325

5,291

Tender Fruit subscribers

371

678

528

672

Number of countries

10

19

26

28

Database page views

CCOVI’s workshops, conferences and lectures are a pivotal component of the institute’s outreach activities. These activities facilitate knowledge translation and technology transfer by directly connecting industry partners to experts who speak about timely and relevant topics.

CONFERENCES

LECTURES CCOVI strives to continually bring expert guest speakers to the institute to further knowledge transfer between grape and wine industry professionals. In June, the institute welcomed special guest speaker Marco Bertaccini. The winemaker from AEB Biochemical USA led a workshop on yeast nutrition and its role in wine and cider production.

TRIGGS INTERNATIONAL PREMIUM VINIFERA LECTURE SERIES

CCOVI once again worked collaboratively with industry partners to develop educational sessions as part of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C)’s School of Cool in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The annual event attracted 350 industry and media participants from across Canada and around the globe. CCOVI oenologist Belinda Kemp was one of the featured panelists and led a discussion on sugar trials in sparkling wine.

The Triggs International Premium Vinifera Lecture Series marked its 10th instalment by bringing together record crowds to learn between the grape vines and in the classroom in August.

More than 200 grape growers and wine industry professionals attended the two events (in Ontario and British Columbia) making it one of the most successful talks since the series began in 2004.

Hosting and participating in sessions such as i4C, and other conferences that focus on emerging topics in the grape and wine industry, is an important component of CCOVI’s commitment to knowledge and technology transfer to the industry to further support its growth. CCOVI also executed the “What Kind of Cool Are You” sensory tasting experience at the Cool Chardonnay World Tour event.

The 2017 lecture featured Stefano Poni, a Professor of Viticulture and Chair of the Instituto of Frutti-Viticolltura of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, Italy. He discussed canopy management and the impacts of different practices on managing overall crop development, methods to delay or enhance fruit maturity and the timings that influence final crop quality.

FIZZ CLUB Fizz Club, a networking group for sparkling winemakers organized by CCOVI, celebrated its fifth anniversary this year.

The national group is an opportunity for winemakers to openly discuss sparkling wine production, issues and latest research.

The 2017 theme was From Field to Fizz which took a vine-toglass approach for the first time by including research and discussion on both viticulture practices and winemaking.

Discussions included CCOVI research on leaf removal, clones and soil type trials and their impact on sparkling wine quality.

More than 40 winemakers from across Canada participated in this session.

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CCOVI LECTURE SERIES The 2018 CCOVI Lecture Series ran from January to March and featured 10 lectures presented by CCOVI Researchers, Scientists, Fellows, Professional Affiliates and their collaborators. Topics spanned the entire grape and wine value chain ranging from promoting Canadian wine internationally, the transformation and modernization of the LCBO, examining why people buy sparkling wine, grapevine cold hardiness and wine closure science.

The series started off with a fitting tribute to the late wine industry mogul and CCOVI Professional Affiliate Karl Kaiser. Veteran winemaker David Sheppard gave a special presentation of Kaiser’s popular talk “Pinot Noir: The savage yet seductive grape” to a full crowd.

The lecture series drew an engaged audience of more than 375 people who tuned in to the lectures either in person or by watching live online.

Archived lecture series videos from previous years continued to remain popular online with 1,124 views from 41 countries in 2017.

Lecture Series views

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Videos watched

1,124

1,245

1,118

1,528

1,510

41

51

43

35

30

Number of countries 14

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CCOVI’s community engagement activities aim to raise both the profile of the institute in the community and increase the presence of wine education opportunities at local wine events.

In 2017-18, the institute’s community engagement activities reached 1,211 people at three diverse events: the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c), the Niagara Wine Festival and the Cuvée Grand Tasting.

NIAGARA WINE FESTIVAL

Total number of participating individuals 2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

1,211

1,113

1,379

1,002

492

With more than 20 years of participation, CCOVI has built a tradition of bringing education and entertainment to community members attending the Niagara Wine Festival.

The Educate your Senses wine and cheese seminars hosted

by CCOVI give festival attendees the chance to meet local winemakers in an intimate and educational setting. By participating in the event, CCOVI provides the community with an insightful and unique learning opportunity that many would not experience otherwise. At the 2017 festival, 180 community members attended the CCOVI seminars.

WHAT KIND OF COOL ARE YOU? In July, CCOVI hosted the “What Kind of Cool Are You” sensory tasting experience at the Cool Chardonnay World Tour event, hosted as part of the annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C). The event attracted 150 community members to Ridley College in St. Catharines and served to further fulfill CCOVI’s commitment to providing knowledge transfer, continuing education, professional development opportunities for the broader community at large.

The “What Kind of Cool are You?” program was designed to help consumers discover their own Chardonnay palate. Guests were invited to taste four different Chardonnays from four different taste profiles – crisp, fruity, smooth and rich. The program is one of self-discovery and helps guests navigate through more than the 100 vintage wines featured at the Cool Chardonnay World Tour event.

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CUVÉE GRAND TASTING In March, CCOVI hosted more than 880 guests at the Scotiabank Convention Centre for the 30th annual Cuvée Grand Tasting. This marked the fourth year that CCOVI organized the prestigious event that celebrates excellence in Ontario VQA winemaking and highlights the quality of Niagara’s culinary scene.

With the help and support of generous sponsors, the event brought together 48 VQA wineries and 12 local culinary partners. What makes Cuvée unique is that the winemakers feature two of their favourite wines, showcasing a large selection of high-quality Ontario VQA wines. The Après Cuvée after party featured local craft cider and breweries, sparkling wine and Icewine that guests could sip and enjoy while dancing the night away to a live band.

The Cuvée en Route program allows guests to continue the wine celebration all weekend by providing access to exclusive tasting flights at participating wineries. During Cuvée en Route, guests made more than 1,920 winery visits from March 23-25 further expanding the economic impact of the event on the Niagara region.

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The 2018 event generated net revenues of $11,000 for the Cuvée Legacy Fund. The fund provides scholarships for the next generation of winemakers and grape growers in Brock University’s Oenology and Viticulture program and critical research dollars for industry driven priorities. Cuvée has now raised more than $119,000 in the four years it has hosted the event.

The

Cuvée Legacy Fund has generated

MORE THAN

119,000

$

over the past four years

CUVÉE AWARDS The inaugural Winemaker of Excellence Award was given to Angelo Pavan for his significant contributions to the wine industry, his commitment to excellence and for his mentorship to winemakers across Canada.

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Albrecht Seeger was honoured with the Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence Award. The award, presented by BASF Canada Inc., recognizes a grape grower who promotes excellence in vineyard practices.

Seeger was selected by an expert panel for maintaining a high level of quality in his Pinot Noir vineyard.

The Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence, honouring individuals who further the aims and aspirations of Ontario’s wine industry, was presented to winemaker Sue-Ann Staff. She was recognized as an “articulate ambassador for the Ontario wine region on the international stage.”

CUVÉE LEGACY FUND SCHOLARSHIPS Cuvée Graduate Scholarship ($5,000):

Andréanne Hébert–Haché Cuvée Award for Academic Excellence in OEVC ($2,500):

Carol McLennan Cuvée Award for Academic Excellence ($2,500):

Nick Pappas Cuvée Hosting Award for Academic Excellence ($5,000):

Grant McKinnon

OTHER RECOGNITION MSc graduate Kimberley Cathline from CCOVI Fellow Vincenzo DeLuca’s lab received Brock’s Distinguished Graduate Student Award in Biological Sciences for having the highest overall average.

OEVI alumna Rachel Kvas (BSc '14) was named one of the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s top 30 hospitality and foodservice professionals under the age of 30.

OEVI alumnus Shiraz Mottiar (BSc '00) won the coveted 2017 Winemaker of the Year award at the Ontario Wine Awards.

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EDUCATION OENOLOGY AND VITICULTURE DEGREE PROGRAM With CCOVI’s resources, Brock is uniquely positioned in Canada to offer undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in Oenology and Viticulture (OEVI). Although CCOVI does not administer the degree programs, the institute has close ties to how they operate. CCOVI also offers education sessions and volunteer opportunities to students and supports alumni with professional development after graduation.

For the 2017-18 academic year, there were 41 students studying at the undergraduate level which marks the highest number over a seven-year period. Of those students, 34 were registered in the Honours BSc degree program while seven were taking the Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology.

At the graduate level, CCOVI Researchers, Scientists and Fellows train students in the fields of oenology and viticulture, wine business and geography. During this period, there were 15 students pursuing master’s degrees and five students pursuing their PhD in grape and wine related fields.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CCOVI’s continuing education program provides education opportunities for wine enthusiasts as well as professional development courses for industry professionals. In 2017-18, CCOVI offered nine courses that instructed 244 students.

This year, CCOVI celebrated its 10th anniversary as a program provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program – a highly respected and internationally transferable wine certification. This program attracts students from around the world to take part in sessions offered both in-class and online.

With consistent increases in enrollment, the WSET offerings remain an integral part of CCOVI’s continuing education lineup.

Going forward, CCOVI plans to add online offerings of the Level 1 in Wines and Level 1 in Spirits courses.

A DECADE OF

WSET

7

different courses offered

733

students trained

In-class & online offerings Spirit courses added in 2016

18

Continuing Education courses 2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

2014-15

2013-14

Number of courses

9

10

3

4

6

Number of students

244

244

77

117

103

CCOVI’s Certificate in Ontario Wine, the wine industry’s first integrated online program specific to Ontario wine, continued to grow during its second year of being offered. This first-of-its-kind online opportunity removes geographical barriers for those looking for a formal introduction to Ontario wine and positions participants with the knowledge needed to take the Wine Council of Ontario certification upon completion.

After its overwhelming success in 2017, CCOVI expanded its offering of the cider and perry production course to twice a year to meet industry demand. The program, offered through a partnership with the Cider Institute of North America (CINA), is an intensive week-long workshop that covers all elements of the production process using a handson practice based format. Topics covered include fermentation (producing cider on site), lab testing, market dynamics, legal framework as well as tastings to develop product profiles.

With many wineries now making cider, adding this course was a natural extension of CCOVI’s educational programming for industry and has helped meet the demand for those looking to branch into the booming cider and perry markets.

The course, which runs annually in April and August, attracted students from across Canada and is the only certification program of its kind in the country.

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CCOVI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, OUTREACH COMMITTEE AND ADVISORY COUNCIL CCOVI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Tim Kenyon Allan Schmidt Allan Jackson Matt Dixon Matthias Oppenlaender Don Cyr Debra Inglis

Chair, Vice President of Research, Brock University Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, CCOVI Advisory Council Industry representative, Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario Industry representative, Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. and the Grape Growers of Ontario CCOVI Fellow, Brock University Ex-officio, CCOVI Director

OUTREACH COMMITTEE Barb Tatarnic Belinda Kemp Jim Willwerth Kevin Ker Kevin Buis Jamie Evans Gerald Klose Daniel Speck Sue Ann Staff Colin Stanners Dan Sullivan Roger Vail Kevin Watson Scott Wilkins Debra Inglis

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Chair, CCOVI manager of outreach and continuing education CCOVI oenologist CCOVI viticulturist CCOVI research associate Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative from a grape and wine region outside of Niagara Industry representative from a grape and wine region outside of Niagara Industry representative, Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario Industry representative from a grape and wine region outside of Niagara Ex-officio, CCOVI director

CCOVI ADVISORY COUNCIL Allan Jackson Allan Schmidt Ed Madronich Richard Linley Klaus Reif Eleanor Hawthorn Matthias Oppenlaender Bill Schenck Debbie Zimmerman Erwin Wiens Doug Hernder Matt Dixon Rob Enns Dan Paszkowski Jim Brandle Eugene Jaworski George Soleas Jeff Leal Michael Toombs Laurie Macdonald Craig Youdale Rene Van Acker Thomas Dunk Tim Kenyon Gary Pickering Don Cyr Barb Tatarnic Debra Inglis

Chair, Industry representative Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, Wine Council of Ontario Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario and Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario and Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario Industry representative, Grape Growers of Ontario Industry representative, Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario Industry representative, Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario Industry representative, Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario Industry representative, Canadian Vintners Association Industry representative, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Government representative, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Government representative, Liquor Control Board of Ontario Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Government representative, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Regulatory agency representative, VQA Ontario Education representative, Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Niagara College Education representative, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph Brock representative, Vice-president, Academic & Provost – Interim Brock representative, Vice President Research Brock representative, CCOVI Researcher Brock representative, CCOVI Fellow CCOVI representative, Manager of Outreach and Continuing Education Ex-officio, CCOVI Director 21

CCOVI RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS, FELLOWS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATES

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CCOVI RESEARCHERS

CCOVI SCIENTISTS

Debbie Inglis CCOVI Director, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Gary Pickering Professor, Biological Sciences Andrew Reynolds Professor, Biological Sciences

Belinda Kemp Jim Willwerth

CCOVI FELLOWS

CCOVI PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATES

Ralph Brown Professor, School of Engineering, University of Guelph Don Cyr Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University Dirk De Clercq Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University Vincenzo De Luca Professor, Biological Sciences, Brock University Ronald Jackson Sensory Science, University of Manitoba Lester Kwong Associate Professor, Social Sciences, Brock University Antonia Mantonakis Associate Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University Annette Nassuth Associate Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph Michael Ripmeester Professor, Social Sciences, Brock University Tony Shaw Professor, Social Sciences, Brock University Jeffrey Stuart Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Brock University Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University George van der Merwe Associate Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph Maxim Voronov Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University

Carl Bogdanoff Viticulturist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre Pat Bowen Viticulture research scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre Linda Bramble Wine writer, author and educator Margaret Cliff Sensory research scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre Janet Dorozynski Global practice lead, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Karl Kaiser Co-founder Inniskillin Wines Kevin Ker Viticulture consultant Tom Lowery Entomology research scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre Alexandra Mayeski Lawyer, Mayeski Mathers LLP Wendy McFadden-Smith Horticulture IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Gerry Neilson Plant and soil research scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre Daniel O’Gorman Research biologist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre Richard Smart Viticulture consultant George Soleas President & CEO, LCBO Daryl Somers Research Director, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Kevin Usher Oenology research scientist, AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre

Senior Scientist in Oenology Senior Scientist in Viticulture

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Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute Brock University 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 905 688 5550 TWITTER @CCOVIBrockU

brocku.ca/ccovi