Present-day and future wine professionals will love the pairing of education and industry as George Brown College takes ownership of the Ontario Wine Awards. Founded in 1985 by leading Canadian wine expert Tony Aspler, the competition has celebrated the province’s best vintners for nearly 30 years.
George Brown acquired the awards, building on a partnership forged in 2016 between the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts and the Ontario Wine Awards (OWA).
The OWAs celebrate and recognize outstanding Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines. OWA competitions and tastings draw more than 80 leading wineries, and 500 wine entrants.
The acquisition — announced on April 12, 2022 — means students at the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management will have even more opportunities to gain real-world experience in the beverage alcohol industry as the event will be woven into academic delivery.
“As a long-time leader in hospitality education, George Brown College is excited to build on its existing relationship with the Ontario Wine Awards,” said George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearson. “We are united by our sense of responsibility to and support of the industry, as we strive to deliver exceptional graduates who will become tomorrow’s industry leaders.”
Aspler says George Brown’s ownership of these awards will bring the wine industry together with future culinary, hospitality and tourism leaders.
“Familiarizing George Brown students and industry partners with the fine VQA wines of Niagara, Prince Edward County and SW Ontario will create an ongoing cohort of ambassadors for the industry,” he said.
