Wine Growers Canada (WGC), the national association representing the Canadian wine industry, announced the 2025 Canadian Wine Industry Awards winners as the industry gathered in Niagara Falls, Ont. These awards, sponsored by national accounting, tax and business firm MNP, recognize the success, leadership and outstanding commitment in Canada’s grape wine industry and the individuals, organizations and businesses that have gone above and beyond to support the growth of the wine industry in Canada.
This year’s distinguished award winners are:
- Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction – The Founders of Inniskillin
- Canadian Wine Industry Champion Award – Richard Linley
- The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award – Thomas Bachelder
The joint winners of the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction – regarded as one of the highest forms of peer recognition in the Canadian wine industry – are the founders of Inniskillin: Donald Ziraldo, Karl Kaiser, Gerald Klose and Debi Pratt.
Founded 50 years ago, in July 1975, Inniskillin made history as the first winery in Canada to be granted a winery license since Prohibition. Ziraldo and Kaiser planned and planted the winery’s first vinifera vineyard in 1974, at a time when Canadian wine production was limited to labrusca grapes. Pratt and Klose then joined them, respectively playing pivotal roles in marketing and sales, and in viticulture.
“The complementary skills and knowledge of these four visionaries laid the groundwork for what would become an industry-defining winery, which went on to gain international recognition,” said Dan Paszkowski, president and CEO of Wine Growers Canada. “Winning the prestigious Grand Prix d’Honneur at VinExpo in Bordeaux, France, marked a significant turning point for the industry, showcasing the world-class potential of Canadian winemaking.”
The Wine Industry Champion Award is presented to an individual who has provided exemplary support to the Canadian wine industry through media, research, policy, education or advocacy. The recipient of the 2025 Wine Industry Champion Award was Richard Linley. “[Linley] led industry association Ontario Craft Wineries for 10 years, contributing hugely to the success of Ontario wineries over that period,” said Paszkowski.
The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award celebrates greatly talented Canadian winemakers, in honour of the legacy of the late Karl Kaiser, a Canadian wine industry pioneer and viticultural visionary. The recipient of this year’s award was Thomas Bachelder, an internationally recognized Canadian winemaker and the founding winemaker of Le Clos Jordanne.
“[Bachelder’s] exceptional experience and genius in the production of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has truly put him on the global winemaking map,” said Paszkowski. “Not only do his wines excel, but further, he is genuinely invested in equipping and mentoring the next generation of winemakers, having been instrumental in the establishment of Ontario’s International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) and always making time for fellow winemakers.”
To learn more about the Canadian Wine Industry Awards, visit winegrowerscanada.ca/canadian-wine-industry-awards/.
