A team of 11 students was mentored through the production process by Brock graduates Mitch McCurdy (BSc \u201918) and Marc Pistor (BSc \u201906), Head Winemaker and Director of Wine Making Operations, respectively, of Marynissen Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake.<\/p>\n
Pistor also teaches Wine Processing and Equipment as well as the Introduction to Wine courses in Brock\u2019s Applied Grape and Wine Science program, run out of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute<\/a> (CCOVI).<\/p>\n While officially a Marynissen Estates sparkling wine, Field Blend is the result of the hard work from Brock University students, who made the wine under the tutelage of Marynissen Director of Wine Making Operations Marc Pistor.<\/p><\/div>\n While the end result is a Marynissen wine, it is covered with the fingerprints of Brock OEVI students who played a huge role in the final product.<\/p>\n \u201cThe students who were involved in this project are unbelievable,\u201d says Pistor.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are some of the best students I have ever worked with. They are motivated and exceptionally bright.\u201d<\/p>\n When approached to be a part of the auction, Pistor felt the opportunity was too great to miss.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were able to incorporate this project as part of the hands-on winemaking and experiential learning offered at CCOVI,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Grapes for Humanity auction required winemakers to work in teams to produce a case of unique wine. Twelve teams from across the province took on the challenge, adding their Ontario-made wine to the event\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n Marynissen Director of Wine Making Operations Marc Pistor (BSc \u201906).<\/p><\/div>\n Pistor says he chose to produce a sparkling wine so the learning curve would be more complex than producing a non-sparkling wine \u2014 which is only fermented once \u2014 therefore providing a challenge for the students.<\/p>\n Jane MacDonald, a third-year OEVI student who was part of the team, says they were motivated by McCurdy and Pistor\u2019s expert tutelage, the excitement of being first amongst OEVI students to produce a wine for sale, and by the Grapes for Humanity mandate of supporting environment initiatives.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a great opportunity, and it is going to a great cause, so it was an awesome experience,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cMitch and Marc were incredible mentors and really guided the winemaking process, but they also allowed us to make some really cool decisions on the final end product.\u201d<\/p>\n The wine gets its name from the blend of varietals used to complete the final product.<\/p>\n In Field Blend, wine lovers will experience the flavours of Viognier, Gruner Veltliner, Auxerrois, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Savignin and Pinot Blanc.<\/p>\n MacDonald believes it will excite the palate of those who are lucky enough to try the limited release.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of love and labour was put in this wine,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is a very light but still very complex wine. There are floral notes and lots of citrus. It is a very easy drinking wine.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/thumbnail_Grapes-For-Humanity-657x1050.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Marynissen](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Marc-Pistor-2_-699x1050.jpg\")
<\/a>
![\"Marynissen](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Mitchell-McCurdy-1050x698.jpg\")
<\/a>