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John Fournier completed the Foundations in Winemaking program through Brock\u2019s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute in 2021.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t get the hay rake as planned, we bought the farm instead,\u201d said Fournier. \u201cAfterwards, my wife Colleen and I looked at each other and tried to decide what we wanted to do or grow, which slowly grew into the idea for a vineyard.\u201d<\/p>\n
And so began the journey to build River House Vineyard and Winery<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fournier consulted with neighbouring winemaker Fran\u00e7ois Scheuermann on plans for the vineyard. He looked to CCOVI\u2019s suite of professional and continuing studies courses to learn about the winemaking process and enrolled in the Foundations in Winemaking program.<\/p>\n Beyond assisting at the neighbouring winery, Fournier was new to the world of winemaking when he began his studies at CCOVI. He said the program\u2019s grounding in science was instrumental to learning the \u2018whys\u2019 of winemaking.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom start to finish the program was so thorough,\u201d he said. \u201cOur instructor, Steve Trussler, ensured we understood the science of the process \u2014 why a wine was doing what it was doing during production, or why a wine tasted the way it did.\u201d<\/p>\n Though Fournier completed the program for professional development, he feels it is not only beneficial for those working in the grape and wine industry, but also for winemaking hobbyists or even those who simply enjoy wine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe program covered the process right from the grape all the way to the glass,\u201d he said. \u201cIt helps you understand and appreciate the winemaking process. I’ve taken what feels like a million courses in my life through business, school and such and I can\u2019t highlight how great the course and instructor were enough \u2014 I’ve never had a teacher like Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the knowledge gained at CCOVI, Fournier said his family and winery crew have been vital in building the business.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom field to glass, the business has been a family affair,\u201d he said. \u201cMy daughters Brianna and Megan and my son Andrew have worked tirelessly alongside Colleen and I planting vines, harvesting grapes, bottling wine and every job in between. Andrew is also planning to register for the Foundations in Winemaking program in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n Since Fournier\u2019s completion of the program in 2021, CCOVI has received approval from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for Ontario\u2019s first micro-credentials in winemaking and cider production<\/a>.<\/p>\n Both the Foundations in Winemaking and Cider and Perry Production Foundation programs are eligible for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding. The Foundations in Winemaking program will be offered as a micro-credential for the first time beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1.<\/p>\n