Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) made a splash at the 74th annual Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, hosting two sold-out educational sessions during the iconic annual event.

More than 60 community members attended the Wine Chat sessions on Sept. 27.

The first session — facilitated by Brock graduates Sara Murdoch (MA ’25), 180 Estates Winery Retail Manager, and Jennifer Kelly (PhD ’19), CCOVI Senior Oenology Scientist — showcased a flight of wines made by 180 Estates winemaker Ramsey Khairallah (BSc ’10), a graduate of Brock’s Applied Grape and Wine Science program.

During second session, facilitated by Kelly and CCOVI Operations Coordinator Taylor MaGee (BA ’13), attendees explored four VQA wines available at the festival. Two of the featured wines were crafted by Brock graduates: Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery’s Reserve Chardonnay made by winemaker Chris Holman (BSc ’15) and Creekside Estate Winery’s 2025 Breakaway Riesling made by winemaker Rob Power (BSc ’00). Power is one of the inaugural graduates of Brock’s program and has significant experience making VQA wines.

This is the 27th year CCOVI has partnered with festival in delivering engaging educational opportunities as part of its extensive community and industry outreach activities.

“CCOVI plays an active role in supporting the growth of Canada’s wine sector by training the next generation of grape growers and winemakers as well as mobilizing industry-led research,” says CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Events like the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival are an opportunity for our home-grown experts to promote Ontario VQA wines and share the ways we’re helping to build the future of Canada’s wine industry through Brock’s academic programs.”