Brock University
Donald Ziraldo and Don Triggs at Inniskillin Hall opening, June 1999
A significant contribution to the wine industry in the Niagara region and Canada came with the opening of Inniskillin Hall at Brock University, home to the university's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). Donald Ziraldo and John Howard (President of Vineland Estates) played an important role in the development of CCOVI raising more than 3.7 million dollars for the endeavour. The facility was named Inniskillin Hall in recognition of the $600,000 donation to the capital campaign by Inniskillin's parent company Vincor Inc.
Karl Kaiser was also involved in the project as part of the industry group that developed the concept for the institute. Inniskillin and other local wineries recognized the importance of having a research and education facility in the region dedicated to viticulture and wine-making. The great wine-making regions in the world have such facilities and it was clear that Niagara should have one as well.
CCOVI is dedicated to the advancement of the Canadian grape and wine industry as well as cool climate viticulture in general. The facility contains a state-of-the-art biotechnology lab, sensory evaluation facilities, viticulture lab, and a research and teaching winery. There is also an extensive wine cellar capable of storing 43,000 bottles of wine. The cellar contains the Canadian Wine Library, a collection of Ontario's finest VQA wines as well as a Vinotheque of wines made by students during their undergraduate and graduate programs.
Donald Ziraldo speaking at the opening of Inniskillin Hall at Brock University, June 1999
In recognition of their contributions to the Canadian wine industry, Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo received honorary degrees from Brock University in 1994. Kaiser was the second Brock graduate to receive an honorary degree from the university. He graduated from Brock in 1974 with a BSc honors degree in Chemistry. He also received Brock's distinguished Alumni Award in 2005 and the Faculty of Math and Science Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009. Kaiser was also involved with the curriculum of the Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock developing a wine chemistry course and serving as its first instructor in 1998. He became a CCOVI professional affiliate and regularly returned to give seminars and lectures.
Brock News article about the opening of Inniskillin Hall at Brock University, June 1999
Brock News article about the opening of Inniskillin Hall at Brock University, June 1999