OCW Committees &
Appointments
OCW Committees
OCW Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is a standing committee comprised of the officers of the Board, the immediate Past Chair and the President of the OCW. This committee is chaired by the Chair of the Board. The Executive Committee is responsible for the annual review of the President and meets as required to provide oversight of the association and manage emerging issues on behalf of the board.
Current Members
Chair/Chair of Governance: Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards
Vice-Chair: Dan Sullivan, Rosehall Run Vineyards
Secretary: Suzanne Janke, Stratus Vineyards
Treasurer: Steve Mitchell, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
Paul Speck, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Len Pennachetti, Cave Spring Vineyard (Ex-Officio)
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is a standing committee that is chaired by the Treasurer and is comprised of the Vice Chair, the Director of Finance and the President of the OCW and may have a member at large with financial expertise. The Chairman is an ex-officio member of this committee.
Current Members
Steve Mitchell, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards
Faik Turkmen, Lailey Winery
Harald Thiel, Hidden Bench Estate Winery
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is a standing committee of Ontario Craft Wineries, chaired by the immediate
past-Chair and shall include one representative from each class of winery appointed by the Board of Directors annually. No candidate for a position as a director of the board may participate on this committee. Therefore, in years when there is a conflict the Board of Directors will appoint a replacement to Chair this committee.
Current Members
Chair: Len Pennachetti, Cave Spring Vineyard (Ex-Officio)
Daniel Lafleur, Tawse Winery
Steve Mitchell, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
Harald Thiel, Hidden Bench Estate Winery
Erin MacInnis, Closson Chase Vineyards
VQA Marketing Committee
The VQA Marketing Committee is a standing committee of the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario. As shareholders of WMAO, the VQA Marketing Committee is co-chaired by one appointee from each of Ontario Craft Wineries and Wine Growers Ontario. In addition, four committee members are appointed by the Ontario Craft Wineries’ board of directors for a two-year term following the Annual General Meeting (in a staggered rotation). In total, the Committee is comprised of 5 appointees from the membership of each organization who serve as the representatives on the VQA Marketing Committee.
Current Members
Co-Chair: Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars
Steve Mitchell, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
Suzanne Janke, Stratus Vineyards
Paul Speck, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Tom Pennachetti, Cave Spring Vineyard
Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Committee
The Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Committee is a regular Ad Hoc committee of the board chaired by a board member appointed annually following the AGM. Membership in this committee consists of invited Ontario Craft Wineries’ members along with industry stakeholders invited to participate in committee discussions.
Current Members
Chair: Andrea Kaiser, Reif Estate Winery
Benjamin Whitty, 13th Street Winery
Dave Hooper, Cave Spring Vineyard
JL Groux, Stratus Vineyards
Shiraz Mottiar, Malivoire Wine Company
Tobias Fiebrandt, Vineland Estates Winery
Tim Charisee, Pelee Island Winery
Kirstyn Mayers, Closson Chase Vinyards
Matt Speck, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Nick Lemieux, Grape Growers of Ontario
Debbie Zimmerman, Grape Growers of Ontario
Erwin Wiens, Grape Growers of Ontario
Laurie MacDonald, Ontario Wine Appellation Authority
Peter Harris, Ontario Wine Appellation Authority
Dean Foerter, Wine Marketing Association of Ontario
Magdalena Kaiser, Wine Marketing Association of Ontario
Ontario Craft Wine Conference Committee
The Ontario Craft Wine Conference Committee is a regular Ad Hoc committee of the board chaired by a board member appointed annually following the Annual General Meeting. Membership in this committee consists of invited winery members and industry consultants to participate in committee discussions.
Current Members
Chair: Ilya Senchuk, Leaning Post Wines
Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars
J.J. Syer, Rosehall Run Vineyards
Kierstyn Pare, Pelee Island Winery
Suzanne Janke, Stratus Vineyards
Charles Neufeld, Palatine Hills Estate Winery
Amanda Vranckx, Blueberry Hill Winery
Chris Colaneri, Colaneri Estate Winery
Aaron Dobbin, Wine Growers Ontario
Marcel Morgenstern, Bella Terra Vineyards
Appointments
Wine Marketing Association of Ontario Board
Allan Schmidt, Vineland Estates Winery
Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars
Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. Board
Board Appointment: Allan Schmidt, Vineland Estates Winery
Grapes for Processing Industry Advisory Committee
Negotiation Agency: Annemarie Heikenwalder, Pelee Island Winery
Allan Schmidt, Vineland Estates Winery
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival Board
Allan Schmidt, Vineland Estates Winery
CCOVI Advisory Council
Allan Schmidt, Vineland Estates Winery (CCOVI Executive Member)
Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards
Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars
