On March 19, 2026, leaders from Okanagan College in British Columbia and Niagara College in Ontario gathered at Niagara College's Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake to sign a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU). This agreement marks a significant step in elevating wine education across Canada by allowing Okanagan College to deliver Niagara College's acclaimed Winery and Viticulture Technician curriculum, tailored specifically for the Okanagan region. The partnership unites two of Canada's premier wine-growing areas, fostering enhanced training for the nation's expanding wine sector.
The MOU was signed by Okanagan College President Dr. Neil Fassina and Niagara College representatives, including Vice-President Academic Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie and Vice-President Global Partnerships and Strategic Enterprises Sean Coote. Okanagan College Provost and Vice-President Academic Dr. Samantha Lenci emphasized the collaboration's value: "This partnership brings together two colleges with a shared commitment to academic excellence. By collaborating with Niagara College, we are strengthening learning opportunities for students and delivering programs that reflect the needs of our communities and local industry."
The Legacy of Niagara College's Wine Programs
Niagara College has been a pioneer in Canadian wine education since launching the Winery and Viticulture Technician program in 2000—the first of its kind in the country. Housed within the School of Wine, Beer and Spirits at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus, the two-year diploma program provides hands-on training in a state-of-the-art commercial teaching winery, Canada's only such facility. Students engage in courses covering vine biology, winemaking processes, sensory evaluation, wine chemistry, integrated pest management (IPM), and vineyard management.
The curriculum spans key areas like Mathematics for Winery and Viticulture, General Viticulture, Winemaking I-III, Sensory Evaluation of Wines I-II, Wine Chemistry and Lab Analysis, Cellar Operations, Vineyard Pruning, and Wines of Europe, the Americas, and the Southern Hemisphere. Graduates emerge equipped to develop commercial vineyards, manage operations, and market wines effectively. Program outcomes include applying plant and soil sciences, implementing IPM, analyzing wines to industry standards, and understanding business practices in viticulture and winemaking.
- Develop and maintain high-quality vineyards using practical viticulture skills.
- Execute winemaking procedures for reds, whites, and icewines.
- Conduct lab analyses and sensory evaluations to ensure quality.
- Manage winery operations, sales, and marketing strategies.
Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie highlighted the program's prestige: "Sharing our gold-standard curriculum with Okanagan College... expands the availability of wine education to Canada's top two wine regions."
🍇 Tailoring Excellence for the Okanagan Valley
Okanagan College will adapt Niagara's curriculum to suit the unique terroir, climate, and varietals of the Okanagan Valley, one of Canada's most prolific wine regions with over 200 wineries. The program launches in fall 2027 through OC's forthcoming Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism on the Kelowna campus, a $44.8 million provincially funded facility under construction. This purpose-built space will integrate culinary arts, beverage studies, tourism, and hospitality, accommodating up to 750 students annually, including a new restaurant and café.
Currently, OC offers certificates in Viticulture and Winery Assistant at its Penticton campus, alongside culinary management diplomas and apprenticeships. The new centre expands these into a comprehensive hub, aligning with the region's UNESCO City of Gastronomy status. Joe Baker, Dean of OC's Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship, noted: "This partnership ensures the Okanagan Valley not only sustains its global reputation but also shapes the future of wine, tourism, and culinary excellence."
Powering Canada's Booming Wine Economy
Canada's wine and grape industry generates over $11.6 billion in economic impact annually, supporting more than 45,000 jobs nationwide. In British Columbia alone, wine tourism sustains 14,272 full-time equivalent positions, while the Okanagan contributes $500 million in visitor spending and 5,000 jobs. Ontario's Niagara region mirrors this vitality, with the sector driving rural economic growth amid projected market expansion to $15.7 billion by 2032.
The partnership addresses a skills gap in viticulture and enology (the science of wine production), where demand for trained professionals outpaces supply. Careers include winemakers (salaries $80,000-$120,000+), vineyard managers, cellar technicians, and lab analysts—roles critical as production rises toward 84,000 metric tons by 2028.
| Region | Wineries | Jobs | Economic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okanagan (BC) | 200+ | 5,000 | $500M tourism |
| Niagara (ON) | 100+ | Thousands | Part of $11.6B national |
Career Opportunities and Industry Alignment
Graduates will be primed for high-demand roles, leveraging practical skills from day one. The program's emphasis on applied learning—through industry projects and field placements—ensures employability. Niagara alumni have advanced to leadership positions at wineries across North America, praising the program's real-world focus over theoretical university degrees.
- Winemaker: Oversee production processes ($80k+).
- Vineyard Manager: Handle planting, pruning, IPM.
- Cellar Technician: Manage fermentation, bottling.
- Lab Technician: Conduct quality analyses.
This initiative supports Canada's wine sector resilience amid climate challenges and global competition, producing technicians who promote sustainable practices.
Beyond Curriculum: Exchanges, Research, and Innovation
The MOU extends to student/faculty exchanges, credit transfers, joint research, and events. Imagine Okanagan students interning at Niagara's teaching winery or collaborative studies on hybrid varietals suited to changing climates. For more on Niagara's program, visit Niagara College Winery and Viticulture.
Joint efforts could explore enology innovations, like disease-resistant grapes or efficient cellar tech, benefiting industry partners. Explore OC's programs at Okanagan College Food, Wine & Tourism.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Regional Synergies
Industry leaders applaud the move, noting talent shortages. The Okanagan and Niagara, producing diverse cool-climate wines like Riesling and Pinot Noir, share challenges like frost and heatwaves, making cross-regional knowledge vital. This partnership exemplifies how Canadian colleges collaborate to meet sectoral needs, enhancing post-secondary relevance in agriculture.
Implications for Canadian Higher Education
In an era of industry-aligned education, this MOU showcases community colleges' role in workforce development. By customizing proven curricula, colleges like OC and NC bridge urban-rural divides, boosting enrollment in applied programs amid declining traditional degrees. It positions Canadian post-secondary as agile, responsive to economic drivers like agritourism.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Future Outlook: A Vintage for Collaboration
As the Centre opens in 2027, expect surging enrollments and alumni success stories. This partnership could inspire similar inter-provincial ties, strengthening Canada's global wine standing. For wine enthusiasts eyeing careers, it's an opportune moment to explore viticulture training.
Learn more via Canadian Wine Economic Impact Report, highlighting the sector's $11.6B footprint.
