Globe and Mail wine and spirits columnist George Waters wrote about the rising stars of the wine and spirits industry, including Niagara College alumnus Alex Baines (Winery and Viticulture Technician, 2015).
Baines is the head winemaker at Hidden Bench Estate Winery in Beamsville, Ont. In June 2022, he was named the first recipient of the Paul Pender Memorial Rising Star Award from the Ontario Wine Awards. The Award honours celebrated Niagara winemaker and NC alumnus Paul Pender (Winery and Viticulture Technician, 2006), who died tragically in February 2022. Pender was the head winemaker at Tawse Winery, where Baines spent time working with Pender.
The article notes that “Baines was selected by a committee of his peers for demonstrating the qualities that made Pender such a leader in Canadian wine circles – talent, selfless generosity, mentorship and innovation.”
