Many Ontario grape growers and winemakers have chosen to take their environmentally-friendly practices one step further by participating in the voluntary sustainability certification program. Visit our Instagram page to hear what it means to Ontario grape growers to be sustainable.
Background
In 2007, the Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) and Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO) worked in partnership to create 'An Environmental Charter for the Wine Industry' and the 'Ontario Viticulture Sustainability Certification Program'. These proactive programs were developed for wineries and vineyards to provide information on environmental requirements, and identify new sustainable opportunities while complying with existing government regulations.
In 2021, the OCW and GGO merged the two programs to create one unified program. This program is built around the three core pillars of sustainability – Environment, Economy, and Community. Practices within these pillars reflect how certified wineries and growers are invested in respecting our natural resources, building sustainable businesses, and are committed to social responsibility. Evolving the program to include both winery and vineyard certification ensures that the complete grape to glass cycle is sustainable. Look for 'Certified Sustainable' at Ontario vineyards and on your favourite Ontario VQA wine bottle starting with the 2021 vintage.
Explore sustainable vineyard practices by clicking on the plus signs in the graphic below:
Certified Growers
Niagara-on-the-Lake |
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Lincoln | |||
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St. Catharines | |||
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Grimsby-Hamilton | |||
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Southwestern Ontario | |||
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Prince Edward County | |||
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