TORONTO — George Brown College (GBC) has announced the results for the Ontario Wine Awards (OWA) 2023, the province’s most prestigious wine competition and awards program founded by Tony Aspler in 1985. The awards recognize Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines for their quality, distinction and brilliance.
A total of 558 wines were entered in this year’s competition held at GBC and were judged by a panel of 10. The results were released at the awards ceremony, held at Niagara College, where the medals for best in category were presented to the winemakers. A total of 40 gold, 32 silver and 30 bronze medals were handed out.
The Winemaker of the Year Award went to Katie Dickieson from Peller Estates with six medals, including four gold. The Paul Pender Memorial “Rising Star” Award went to Brooke Husband, assistant winemaker, Domaine Queylus. This award celebrates the achievements and legacy of an outstanding leader in the Canadian wine industry, and Husband, who was selected by a committee of her peers, has demonstrated the qualities that made Paul Pender a winemaker’s winemaker – talent, selfless generosity, mentorship and innovation.
“Kudos to George Brown College for taking the competition judging to a new level,” says Aspler. “The involvement of the students in the execution of the Ontario Wine Awards, including the judging process will ensure a new cohort of ambassadors for the Ontario wine industry.”
