When Andréanne Hébert-Haché (BSc ’16, PhD ’24) began her time at Brock, she was looking to sow seeds of curiosity around grape and wine science.

Then a sommelier, her passion for wine brought her to the University’s renowned Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and Department of Biological Sciences.

Through the years, her knowledge of and connections to the grape and wine industry would not only grow but thrive.

Hébert-Haché crossed the stage at Brock’s 115th Convocation on Friday, June 14 with her PhD in Biological Sciences — along with a successful career in her field.

With in-depth experience at CCOVI under her belt, she was able to secure a full-time position with Mirabel Agri-Food Research Centre in Québec before even defending her thesis.

After earning her undergraduate degree in Oenology and Viticulture, following a fourth-year honours thesis project with CCOVI researcher Wendy McFadden-Smith, Hébert-Haché moved on to a master’s degree specializing in Plant Sciences and Oenology Viticulture with Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Jim Willwerth and CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis as her supervisors.

Fuelled by a thirst for knowledge, Hébert-Haché later transferred into the PhD program, during which she would go on to earn international acclaim for her grapevine cold hardiness research.

Hannah Charnock (PhD ’24) graduated Friday, June 14 with her PhD in Biological Sciences specializing in Plant Sciences and Oenology Viticulture.

“Once my experiments were complete, and it was time to write, my husband Cameron Green and I decided it was the right time to have our first child,” she said. “It is a huge question for any woman trying to balance career and family, and it worked for us. So, while the baby napped, I wrote.”

Hébert-Haché said her success would not have been possible without the support of Inglis, Willwerth and, of course, Green.

“Throughout my research, Debbie and the entire academic team were extremely supportive of my desire to return to Montréal and my personal ambitions of helping further develop the Québec cool climate wine industry,” she said. “Debbie introduced me to a number of industry individuals, and before I was to defend my thesis, let alone graduate, I was already working in my field.”

Hébert-Haché is far from alone in her CCOVI success.

Hannah Charnock (PhD ’24) was drawn to the Institute by its acclaimed research.

She would soon after find herself to be among CCOVI’s award-winning student researchers.

Charnock, who graduated Friday with her PhD in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Plant Sciences and Oenology Viticulture, uncovered a profound interest in fermentation science while earning her undergraduate degree in chemistry. She began her CCOVI journey as a master’s student before pursuing her doctorate.

“Working with my supervisors Gary Pickering and Belinda Kemp was an outstanding and rigorous opportunity,” Charnock said. “Even with the challenges of grad school and the restrictions of the early days in the pandemic, I had a fabulous time and felt my education was streamlined to maximize industry connections and emphasize learning opportunities.”

During her time with CCOVI, Charnock took home the top prize at the Canadian Food Summit’s Three Minute Thesis competition (2022) and was Brock’s first student to win an American Society for Enology and Viticulture medal for Best Student Video Presentation (2020). She capped off her PhD by doing a sparkling wine harvest in the U.K. and experiencing cool climate winemaking beyond England by attending conferences in Europe and America.

“While it was not easy conducting PhD research during the pandemic restrictions, the support and encouragement from the CCOVI administration was exceptional,” Charnock said. “Through digital networking and leveraging of connections, we went so far as to even meet the cellar manager of the Queen of England.

“It is due to the education and people I’ve met that I’m stepping out into the world of possibilities and entertaining a few career opportunities.”

Alex Gunn (BSc ’19, MSc ’24), who graduated with her Master of Science with a specialization in Plant Science, Viticulture and Oenology, continues her grapevine cold hardiness work as a Research Assistant with Jim Willwerth, a researcher in Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.

Also excited to see what the future holds is Alex Gunn (BSc ’19, MSc ’24), who graduated Friday with her Master of Science with a specialization in Plant Science, Viticulture and Oenology.

Gunn’s time at Brock began with an undergraduate degree in Oenology and Viticulture, during which she wrote her honours thesis under the supervision of Willwerth, who would also go on to become her master’s supervisor. She has since gone on to become a CCOVI Research Assistant.

“CCOVI and its researchers have been so incredibly supportive. They’ve empowered each of us to become the best version of ourselves,” Gunn said. “With the support from the Institute’s researchers being tied directly to cool climate research, I’ve connected with organizations and research institutes across Canada. As a Research Assistant, I am in the field directly applying my education and continually learning through the multiple projects we are undertaking. My successes are intrinsically tied to CCOVI.”