Adaptation and Innovation: an integrative research program to improve grapevine health, wine quality, competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian wine grape industry

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The grape and wine industry in Ontario and across Canada faces several multifaceted challenges, many causedby our changing climate, that must be addressed to sustain its annual $6.8 billion national economic impact andto meet its substantial potential for growth. Ontario's segment of this industry accounts for $3.3 billion, whichsupports more than 14,000 jobs across the province in a range of sectors including manufacturing, agriculture,tourism, transportation, restaurants, and retail and which generates $644 million in annual tourism revenue andemployment (Canadian Vintners Association, 2013, "Canada's Wine Economy - Ripe, Robust, Remarkable").Through our globally competitive research program, developed in partnership with Ontario Grape and WineResearch Inc. and inclusive of individual growers and wineries, we will develop solutions to immediateindustry challenges and identify new growth opportunities across the industry's entire value chain by: 1)providing tools and adaptive strategies for grape growers to overcome the challenges of our changing climatethrough the identification of clone/rootstock varieties best suited to our region; 2) commercializing precisedecision-making tools and real-time monitoring technologies with automation to improve productivity andaddress current industry challenges; 3) developing a database of polyphenolics (tannins) for use in terroir-basedwinemaking to target the consumer style preference and increase domestic and international competitiveness ofCanada's red wines; 4) building Canada's visibility and reputation as a global leader in cool climate oenologyand viticulture; and 5) recruiting, training, and retaining world-class highly qualified personnel (HQP).