TORONTO — George Brown College has acquired the Ontario Wine Awards (OWA), the province’s most prestigious wine competition and awards program.
Founded by Tony Aspler in 1985, the OWA recognizes Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines for their quality, distinction and brilliance. George Brown’s Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts has been a participant in the execution of the OWA judging and events since 2016.
“The acquisition of the Ontario Wine Awards by George Brown College will ally Canada’s future sommeliers, chefs and hospitality and tourism executives with the Ontario wine industry,” says Aspler. “Familiarizing George Brown students and industry partners with the fine VQA wines of Niagara, Prince Edward County and Southwestern Ontario will create an ongoing cohort of ambassadors for the industry.”
“As a long-time leader in hospitality education, George Brown College is excited to build on its existing relationship with the Ontario Wine Awards. 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,” says Dr. Gervan Fearon, president of George Brown College. “This collaboration will create new learning development opportunities for students within our School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and talent capacity for Ontario’s wine industry.”
The various competitions and tastings delivered under OWA draw more than 80 industry leading wineries, 500 wine entrants and over 500 participants across the events.
