Features Production Research
GGO welcomes $12 million program

June 28, 2011,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont – The Minister of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs, Carol Mitchell, announced a $12 million Ontario Vineyard Improvement
Program for wine grape growers in Ontario.

June 28, 2011,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont – The Minister of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs, Carol Mitchell, announced a $12 million Ontario Vineyard Improvement
Program for wine grape growers in Ontario.

The program will provide
four years of funding support for growers interested in:

• transitioning their vineyards to more popular grape
  varieties,
• purchasing new irrigation systems, bird netting and
  equipment,
• installing measures to mitigate frost and cold
  damage, and
• consulting with a viticulture expert.

“Our growers welcome the
Government of Ontario’s investment in our industry”, said Bill George, chair of
the Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO). “Collectively Ontario has over 15,000 acres
of wine grapes, and each acre contributes $30,945 to the Ontario economy.
Investing in and providing funding support to our growers just makes good
business sense.”

“Ontario’s grape and wine
industry is a great success story,” said Mitchell. “With this new program,
we’re taking that success one step further by helping grape growers improve
their vineyards and plant strong roots for the future.”