Niagara Grape and Wine Festival

CCOVI has been partnering with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival in Montebello Park, St. Catharines for more than 25 years, offering interactive and educational seminars as part of its outreach initiatives.

Alumni Features

Check out these short video messages from Brock alumni winemakers in Niagara.

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Since 1997

4,500 +

attendees

10,000+

glasses poured

150 +

participating wineries

200 +

wines featured

Past Events

2023

Special thanks to Robbie at Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants for inviting CCOVI into your space at the Roy T. Adams Bandshell to do one very special ‘Wine Chat’ on both Saturdays of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival 2023.

Saturday September 16
Jen Kelly, Research Oenologist, CCOVI hosted Shiraz Mottiar (BSc ’00) and General Manager, Malivoire Wine Co.

Sunday September 23
Jen Kelly, Research Oenologist, CCOVI hosted Mitchell McCurdy (Bsc ’18) and winemaker, Marynissen Estates Winery

Both weekends celebrated 5 of wines, each made by a Brock Alumni Winemaker:

  • Marynissen Estates, 2021 Charmed (sparkling)
  • Thirty Bench Wines, 2022 Winemakers Blend Riesling
  • Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, 2022 Baco Noir
  • Creekside Estate Winery, 2020 Iconoclast Syrah
  • Malivoire Wine Co., 2021 Ladybug Rosé

Continuing the long-standing tradition, Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) hosted its popular Educate Your Senses wine and cheese seminars at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival.

Christopher Waters, Wine and Spirits Columnist for The Globe and Mail and CCOVI instructor, hosted the six seminars, which were held over two weekends in Montebello Park in downtown St. Catharines. Waters introduced participants to some of Niagara’s top winemakers, including alumni of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program, as they shared their experiences and stories behind their wines with attendees.

Presenters:

Saturday, Sept. 14
2 p.m.: Eric Pearson, Konzelmann Estate Winery
3 p.m.: Richie Roberts, Fielding Estate Winery
4 p.m.: Jason Roller, Peller Estates

Saturday Sept. 21
2 p.m.: Emma Garner, Thirty Bench Winemakers
3 p.m.: Angela Kasimos, Hernder Estate Winery
4 p.m.: Alex Kolundzic, Pillitteri Estates

Continuing the long-standing tradition, Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) hosted its popular Educate Your Senses wine and cheese seminars at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival.

Christopher Waters, co-founder of VINES Magazine and CCOVI instructor, hosted the six seminars, which were held over two weekends in Montebello Park in downtown St. Catharines. Waters introduced participants to some of Niagara’s top winemakers, including alumni of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program, as they shared their experiences and stories behind their wines with attendees.

Presenters:

Saturday, Sept. 22
2 p.m.: Jeff Innes, Stoney Ridge Cellars
3 p.m.: David Stasiuk, Rockway Vineyard
4 p.m.: Mike Pillitteri, Riverview Cellars Winery

Saturday Sept. 29
2 p.m.: Chris Holman, Jackson-Triggs Winery
3 p.m.: Eric Pearson, Konzelmann Est. Winery
4 p.m.: Dave Sheppard, Flat Rock Cellars

Read about it in The Brock News:
Brock’s CCOVI helps Grape and Wine crowd educate its senses

CCOVI was proud to celebrate its 20-year partnership with the Niagara Wine Festival by once again offering the always-popular Educate your Senses wine and cheese seminars at the 2017 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival.

Christopher Waters, co-founder of VINES Magazine and CCOVI instructor, hosted the seminars, which celebrated Niagara winemakers and allowed attendees to explore the world of wine and experience the pleasures and fun that come with educating your senses!

Presenters:

Saturday, Sept. 16
2 p.m.:  Jason Roller (Peller Estates)
3 p.m.:  Ed Madronich (Flat Rock Estates)
4 p.m.:  Gavin Robertson (Niagara College Winery)

Saturday, Sept. 23
2 p.m.:  Chris Protonentis (Coyotes Run Winery)
3 p.m.: Richie Roberts (Fielding Estate Winery)
4 p.m. : Marc Bradshaw (Strewn)

Read about it in The Brock News:
Brock’s CCOVI helps Grape and Wine crowd educate its senses

 

Visitors to the 2016 Niagara Wine Festival had the chance to hear the stories behind the wines they taste thanks to educational seminars organized by Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI).

The Educate your Senses wine and cheese seminars were back by popular demand and took place on Sept. 17 in Montebello Park.

The Sept. 17th seminars were hosted by Christopher Waters, VINES Magazineeditor and CCOVI continuing education instructor. Waters introduced participants to some of Niagara’s top winemakers, including alumni of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program, as they shared their experiences and stories behind their wines with attendees.

Presenters:

Saturday, Sept. 17
2 p.m.: Marc Bradshaw, Strewn Winery
3 p.m.: Richie Roberts, Fielding Estate Winery
4 p.m.: Jessica Wallace, Diamond Estate Winery

Saturday Sept. 24
2 p.m.: Rob DiDomenico, Reif Estate Winery
3 p.m.: Taste and talk with Belinda Kemp featuring wines from Flat Rock Cellars, Peller Estates, and Trius Winery
4 p.m.: Jamie Slingerland, Pilitteri Estates

 

 

2 p.m.: Jay Johnston, Flat Rock Cellars
3 p.m.: Alyssa Bator, Riverview Cellars
4 p.m.: Jeff Hundertmark, Stoney Ridge Estate Winery

Saturday Sept. 26
2 p.m.:   Rene Van Ede, Redstone Winery
3 p.m.:   Lydia Tomek, Hernder Estates Winery
4 p.m.:   Sebastien Jacquey, Megalomaniac Winery

 

2 p.m.:   Mauro Salvador, Vieni Estates
3 p.m.:   Del Rollo, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery
4 p.m.:   Paul Pender, Tawse Estate Winery

Saturday Sept. 27
2 p.m.:   Rob Power, Creekside Estate Winery
3 p.m.:   Tom Green, Diamond Estate Wines
4 p.m.:   Richie Roberts, Fielding Estate Winery

Saturday Sept. 21
1 p.m.:    Marc Bradshaw Strewn Estate Winery
3 p.m.:    Fred DiProfio, Pondview Estate Winery
5 p.m.:    Chris Colaneri, Colaneri Estate Winery

Saturday Sept. 28
1 p.m.:   Marc Pistor, Constellation Brands
3 p.m.:   Debi Pratt, Inniskillin Wines
5 p.m.:   Jay Johnston, Flat Rock Cellars

Saturday, Sept. 22
1 p.m.:   Steve Trussler, Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
3 p.m.:   Roselyn Dyck, Cattail Creek Estate Winery
4 p.m.:   Marc Pistor, Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

Sunday, Sept. 23
1 p.m.:   Gavin Robertson, Niagara College Winery
3 p.m.:   Rob Power, Creekside Estate Winery
5 p.m.:   Archie Hood, Reif Estate Winery

Saturday, Sept. 29
1 p.m.:    Fred DiProfio, Pondview Estate Winery
3 p.m.:    Marc Bradshaw Strewn Estate Winery
5 p.m.:    Lydia Tomek, Hernder Estates Winery

Sunday, Sept. 30
1 p.m.:    Angela Kasimos, Riverview Cellars Winery
3 p.m.:    Jeff Hundertmark, Marynissen Estates
5 p.m.:    Richie Roberts, Fielding Estate Winery

Saturday Sept. 17
2 p.m.:    Lydia Tomek, Hernder Estates Winery
3 p.m.:    Barry Katzman, Mike Weir Winery
4 p.m.:    Steve Trussler, Coyote’s Run Winery

Sunday Sept 18
2 p.m.:    Brian Hamilton, Southbrook Vineyards
3 p.m.:    Jeff Hundertmark, Marynissen Estates

Saturday Sept. 24, 2011
2 p.m.:    Serge Papineau, Legends Estates
3 p.m.:    Shiraz Mottiar, Malivoire Wine Co.
4 p.m.:    Rob Power, Creekside Estates

Saturday Sept. 25, 2011
2 p.m.:    Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars
3 p.m.:    Brian Schmidt

Saturday, Sept. 18
2 p.m.:    Mark Pistor, Inniskillin Wines
3 p.m.:    Lydia Tomek, Hernder Estate Wines
4 p.m.:    Sue-Ann Staff, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery

Sunday, Sept. 19
2 p.m.:    Rob Power, Creekside Estate Winery
3 p.m.:    Jeff Hundertmark, Marynissen Estates

Saturday, Sept 25
2 p.m.:    Steve Trussler, Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
3 p.m.:    Richie Roberts, Fielding Estate Winery
4 p.m.:    Colin Ferguson, Cattail Creek Estate Winery

Sunday, Sept 26
2 p.m.:    Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars
3 p.m.:    Tom Green, Diamond Estates Wines