Curtis Fielding Crowned 2012 Grape King

Farm Credit Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario and the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival announced today that Curtis Fielding of Fielding Estate Winery in Beamsville, Ontario has been named the 2012 Grape King.

The Grape Growers of Ontario have named a Grape King since 1956, selecting the grape grower judged to have maintained the best vineyard in the province while being able to serve as a representative and ambassador for the industry.

Fielding is the general manager at Fielding Estate Winery. The Fielding family purchased a 20-acre peach and pear orchard on the Beamsville Bench in the early 2000s, replacing all the trees — and a few rows of juice grapes — with high-quality VQA vinifera vines in the summer of 2001. They opened their doors in May 2005 and the winery has quickly established itself as one of the finest in Ontario, being named one of Canada’s Top 10 wineries by the Canadian Wine Awards in 2009.

“This is a huge honour,” says Fielding. “Look at some of the names who have been Grape King in the past. They are big names with world-class vineyards. They are people that our industry really respects and looks up to. It is amazing to have my name associated with them.”

As Grape King, Fielding will represent Ontario’s grape and wine industry at events across the country, starting with the Pied Piper Parade on September 22nd and a float in the 61st annual CIBC Grande Parade on September 29th as part of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival.

“We are so excited to have Curtis serve as the 2012 Grape King and be the ambassador for Ontario’s viticulture industry,” says Grape Growers of Ontario Chair, Bill George. “Curtis is a young, dynamic figure who has quickly established himself as a leader in viticulture innovation and producing outstanding wines.”

Follow Fielding Estate Winery on Twitter @FieldingWinery, like them on Facebook and get more information at fieldingwines.com.