Views from the Ontario Vines

Fred Couch

 

Ontario's 2011 “Grape King”

By F.G. Couch

 

  Congratulations to the Grape Grower of the Year (2011-2012), Ed Hughes. Ed has 20 acres of vineyards on Greenlane Road in Beamsville where he grows VQA premium quality vinifera grapes. He sells exclusively to Malivoire Grape Company in Beamsville and to amateur winemakers and a number of wine clubs in Southern Ontario. Ed left his job as a chef in Toronto nearly 20 years ago to buy a farm in Beamsville. His interest in grape growing grew after taking a sommelier course. Ed studied at Brock University's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute part time over an eight-year period. He has never looked back since buying the property. To go along with his “chain of office” and traditional Grape King jacket, Ed also received cheques from the Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit to help pay for a trip to the Okanagan Valley to have a look at the wine industry in that province.

The Grape King is an ambassador representing the industry through the coming year, and is chosen by an independent panel of industry experts based on vineyard excellence.

In other news – 2011 marks a number of milestones in the wine industry. It's the 200 th anniversary of the wine industry in Canada (although there are a few people that have disputed this and say that this is just an urban legend), Andrew Peller Limited is celebrating its 50 th anniversary and the Ontario Wine Society is marking its 20 th anniversary.

 

Some early wine bottles that were on display at the Andrew Peller Limited's 50 th anniversary celebrations.

Photos by F.G. Couch

additional photos

Previous Articles by F.G. Couch

~ An Emerging New DVA in Ontario?

~ Johnny Bower Wines

~ Twenty Valley Passport Event

~ Secret Shoppers

~ Wine and Chocolate

~ Prince Edward County

~ Dec 2010

~ Fall 2010

~ Summer 2010

~ May 2010

~ April 2010

~ March 2010

~ Feb 2010

~ Jan 2010

~ Dec 2009

~ Aug 15th 2009

~ Aug 1 2009

~ Sept 2009

~ Calamus Estate Winery

~ Oct 09 Grape King

~ Nov 09

~ Fielding Estate Winery

 

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