Niagara College’s head winemaker, instructor and alumnus Gavin Robertson joins a select list of difference-makers in Canada’s agricultural industry.
As one of the latest recipients of a prestigious Nuffield Canada scholarship (2018), Robertson is addressing challenges faced by Ontario grape growers – from weather and climate pressures to labour availability, pricing and land use issues – through his new report, “Keeping Vines in the Ground and Wine on the Shelf: Safeguarding the Future of Ontario Viticulture with Education and Training.”
“Nuffield Canada provides motivated agricultural leaders an international opportunity to broaden their perspectives and grow their global network,” said Leona Watson, executive director of Nuffield Canada. “This is no doubt a life-changing experience and we’re proud of all our scholars for influencing change in their sector.”
The report is a culmination of two years of international study made possible by his $15,000 Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship which led the St. Catharines resident to travel to wine regions across the globe. Robertson got his boots dirty in the vineyards of nine countries and across three continents – including France, Italy, Germany, the United States, and South Africa – where he had an opportunity to learn from researchers, educators and wine professionals.
The knowledge he gained throughout his travels to different wine regions around the world, each facing their own unique challenges, enabled him to frame the wine industry and viticulture education system back home. He identified critical knowledge clusters and strategies to address challenges to the viticulture industry, which could be implemented in Canada’s academic and applied training institutions to help guide industry stakeholders through part-time courses, workshops or online offerings.
“My Nuffield project gave me the opportunity to greatly expand my own knowledge of fundamental grape growing techniques and viticulture education models in ways that will have a lasting impact on my professional life,” said Robertson.
General manager of the College’s Learning Enterprises Steve Gill applauded Robertson on the success of his Nuffield project.
“Through his leadership, Gavin has had a tremendous impact on the success of our College’s Teaching Winery, and we are so proud of his research that is poised to make a difference in Ontario’s grape and wine industry,” said Gill. “Gavin’s research encapsulates what our Teaching Winery is all about: using education to empower the viticulture industry for future success.”
Dean of NC’s Canadian Wine Institute Craig Youdale noted that Robertson is an integral part of the College’s wine programs, not only as a NC graduate but as a mentor to future winemakers.
“The Nuffield Scholarship was an opportunity for Gavin to both expand his knowledge and skills but more important was to create colleagues and connections around the world in the wine industry,” said Youdale. “He can now bring those skills directly to our students and share with our own faculty. Those connections he has fostered can help better connect our students and entire college to expertise around the globe and further bring our programs to a world-class level.”
Nuffield project reflections
One of the key recommendations in Robertson’s report underlines the vital importance of matching traditional viticulture training with proficiency in the most current mechanical and digital technology tools, such as precision viticulture techniques.
“Automated modes of technology will most certainly play a large role in efficient and sustainable viticulture in the near future,” said Robertson.
Such work is already underway within NC’s Research & Innovation division. Precision agriculture technologies are being developed at the Agriculture & Environmental Technologies Innovation Centre to help local farmers with grapes, tree fruits and field crops. Since completing his Nuffield project, Robertson has been working with NC researchers to roll out tools such as remote environmental sensors for data collection at the NC Teaching Vineyard.
“This is just one example of the many ways that the scholarship has informed my own professional attitude and outlook, and I believe that many of the lessons learned are likely applicable to the industry at large,” Robertson said.
Since he has completed his Nuffield project, the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring topic of climate change – along with its potentially devastating effects on many grape and wine regions worldwide – has led Robertson to consider more sustainable approaches to exchanging information.
“If I was starting this project in a post-pandemic era, it’s very possible that I might have looked at conducting more of my interviews and ‘visits’ virtually, and being more strategic in my travel,” he said.
Yet, Robertson noted that the project was more than data gathering; it was about relationship building and learning through first-hand experience.
“While you can taste the wines of Burgundy in Southern Ontario, you can’t taste the wines of Burgundy in Southern Ontario while also kicking the vineyard limestone at your feet and fumbling with rusty French to understand the cellar master and professor from the local viticulture school, your host, explain why the wine you’re tasting tastes the way it does. And why it’s important that a new generation of winegrowers in Burgundy be trained to understand why and how it tastes the way it does, and how that training works,” said Robertson.
“It’s complex, but part of the Nuffield experience is to force yourself to encounter complex, sometimes difficult ideas that broaden your own horizons and knowledge and, hopefully, make you better at your job back home.”
One of the valuable aspects of his Nuffield experience was the lasting relationships he formed with researchers, teachers, students, grape growers and agriculturalists of all stripes.
“So many people took time out of their busy lives to help me along in my endeavours and they helped me to grow not just as a grape grower and winemaker, but as a human being,” he said.
View Robertson’s report
Robertson’s report and recommendations are now available on the Nuffield Canada website. Visit: Keeping Vines in the Ground and Wine on the Shelf: Safeguarding the Future of Ontario Viticulture with Education and Training.
About Gavin Robertson
in Fredericton (Dec. 4, 2019).
Supplied photo, Nuffield Canada.
A winemaker at the Niagara College Teaching Winery and an instructor for the College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Robertson oversees all wine and cider production, manages vineyards at two locations plus a small hop yard and cider apple orchard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In addition to his work at the College, he owns a virtual artisanal cidery called Garage d’Or Ciders.
Robertson graduated from the College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program in 2011.
Nuffield Scholarship
Robertson’s Nuffield Scholarship was sponsored by Nuffield Canada Alumni.
Canadian Nuffield scholars have travelled the world and brought new ideas home. Since 1950, Canada has awarded a total of 108 scholarships to those who are making a difference in the agriculture industry by sharing their knowledge and experience as consultants, mentors, board members, and sought-after public speakers. Visit nuffield.ca
