The founders of Inniskillin Winery, who made history 50 years ago, have won a national award.听
Donald Ziraldo, Karl Kaiser, Debi Pratt and Gerald Klose have been听presented with the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction by Wine Growers Canada.听
Itsa国际传媒 the highest form of peer recognition in the Canadian wine industry.听
In July 1975, Inniskillin made history as the first winery in Canada to be granted a winery licence since Prohibition.听
鈥淭he complimentary skills and knowledge of these four visionaries laid the groundwork for what would become an industry-defining winery, which went on to gain international recognition,鈥 Dan Paszkowski, president and CEO of Wine Growers Canada, said in a release.
In 1991, Inniskillinsa国际传媒 Vidal Icewine was awarded the highest prize at a prestigious competition in France.听听鈥淲inning the prestigious Grand Prix d鈥橦onneur at VinExpo in Bordeaux, France marked a significant turning point for the industry, showcasing the potential of Canadian winemaking,鈥 he said.听
In the mid-70s, Canadian wine production was limited to labrusca grapes. These are sweet grapes, native to North America and while they can be used to make wine, the resulting product is not as highly regarded as wines made from Vitis vinifera grapes.听
Ziraldo and Kaiser planted Inniskillinsa国际传媒 first vinifera vineyard in the Niagara peninsula in Southern Ontario. They leaned into the then-unusual endeavour with gusto: 鈥淛ust tell us we can鈥檛,鈥 says a quote from Ziraldo on the Inniskillin website.听
In what sounds almost like the beginning to a joke, the website also听says: 鈥淎n Austrian and an Italian started a Canadian wine with an Irish name."
Ziraldo and Kaiser were later joined in the business by Pratt and Klose.
Inniskillin expanded to the Okanagan in 1994 through a vineyard and winery partnership with the Inkameep Indian Band, now known as Nk鈥橫ip, in the Oliver-Osoyoos area.听
The Award of Distinction was presented this week at a gathering in Niagara Falls, Ont., of leaders in the Canadian wine industry.听Kaiser's award was posthumous; he died in 2017.听
Wine Growers Canada represents more than 90 per cent of Canadian wine production. Members are engaged in the entire wine value chain, from grape growing, farm management and grape harvesting, to wine production, bottling, retail sales, and tourism.听
Inniskillin Winery has changed ownership over the years and is now owned by Arterra Wines Canada, based in Mississauga, Ont.
