Eleven researchers have been named new fellows and professional affiliates of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).

The new designates will advance grape and wine research programs and increase CCOVI‘s critical mass of researchers focused on the grape and wine sector. Through the fellows and professional affiliates designation, researchers can share knowledge and collectively advance research of the industry.

The researchers bring expertise in science, social science, business and law both from academia and the private sector. Six of the newcomers are scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) in Summerland, B.C.

New fellows:

• Lester Kwong, assistant professor, Economics, Brock
• Annette Nassuth, associate professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
• Michael Ripmeester, chair and professor, Geography, Brock
• Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl, associate professor, Marketing, International Business and Strategy, Brock

New professional affiliates:

• Carl Bogdanoff, viticulture biologist, PARC
• Margaret Cliff, research scientist, PARC
• Tom Lowery, research scientist, PARC, Summerland, BC
• Alexandra Mayeski, lawyer, Heenan Blaikie LLP, Toronto
• Gerry Neilsen, research scientist, PARC
• Daniel O’Gorman, research biologist, PARC
• Kevin Usher, research scientist, PARC

The following have renewed their affiliation:

• Pat Bowen (professional affiliate), research scientist, PARC
• Linda Bramble (professional affiliate), wine writer, author, educator, St. Catharines
• Ralph Brown (fellow), professor, School of Engineering, University of Guelph
• Ronald Jackson (professional affiliate), wine writer, author, Le Bic, QC
• Karl Kaiser (professional affiliate), co-founder of Inniskillin Wines, winemaker, consultant, Niagara-on-the-Lake

CCOVI has more than 30 fellows and professional affiliates that present their findings at public seminars and workshops throughout the year.