Royalty
Each year, a Grape King is selected to preside over many of the Festival's activities. The King is selected by judges who are viticultural experts with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The judges use specific criteria to judge the vineyards of the candidates, using a point system based on criteria including cultivars, diseases, insects, weed control, soil management, overall quality, and outreach. The grower with the best vineyard is appointed the Grape King, becoming an ambassador for the Ontario grape and wine industry. The first king was appointed in 1956.
A Queen was also chosen as part of the Festival activities, dating back to the beginning of the Festival in 1952. In the following years, a Prince and Princess under seven years of age were selected to round out the Grape and Wine Royal family.
