Major Canadian Winemaker Expanding In Niagara - McGuinty Government Supports Ontario Wine Industry, Creates Jobs

Ontario is helping a major Canadian winemaker expand its production, support local farmers, strengthen the local economy and create jobs in the Niagara Region.

With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program, Vincor International will innovate and increase its production of Ontario-made wine with new, state-of-the-art processing equipment. These improvements will help the company:

• create 39 new positions and support 72 existing jobs
• source an additional 4,000 tonnes of grapes from Ontario growers
• grow the demand for Ontario wines
• increase its competitiveness

A strong agri-food industry is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs and opportunities that will grow the province's economy.

QUOTES

"Our government's investment in this project is growing the market for Ontario's talented winemakers and grape growers. By giving Vincor International the tools it needs to bring more high-quality, locally-produced wine to the table, we're strengthening our agri-food sector, supporting local farmers and creating jobs."
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"This investment is great news for the Niagara region because it's helping us expand the market for our local grape growers and create jobs for our families. With an additional 4,000 tonnes of Ontario grapes being bottled each year, this expansion project is certainly cause for celebration."
- Kim Craitor, MPP for Niagara Falls

"As a leader in the Canadian wine industry and the largest purchaser of grapes from Ontario's independent grape growers, Vincor Canada is continually looking for ways to improve our operations from field to bottle. With this funding we are bringing new grape pressing equipment to our Niagara facility which will allow us to further increase processing capacity and improve processing quality"
- Eric Morham, President and CEO, Vincor Canada.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has invested over $167 million in 418 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program and generated more than $1.2 billion in new economic activity.
• The agri-food industry contributes more than $33 billion to the Ontario economy and employs about 700,000 people.

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Want to grow your food business? Ontario can help.