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$12 million for Ontario Grapegrowers N VQA wineries stand to benefit from government's vineyard improvement investment iagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario—A $12 million Ontario vineyard-improvement program announced June 28 aims to provide quality, locally grown winegrapes for use in the province's wineries. Carol Mitchell, head of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced the four-year fund- ing at Lakewood Vineyard Equipment in Niagara-on-the-Lake. According to the ministry, growers will be eligible to apply for sup- port for a wide range of vineyard improvements to foster long-term success for their vineyards. The program has two funding components: $11 million for direct assistance to eligible growers and $1 million to be administered by the Grape Growers of Ontario to fund viticulture M atthew G.R. Meyer Winem aking Consu l tant 15 years of experience on east and west coast Double Degree in Oenology & Viticulture • ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION IN: •Start-up Wineries •Marketing/Sales •Budgets and Financials •Problem Solving References available. AWINEMAKER@GMAIL.COM | 757.880.4928 technology and projects to improve grape production in the vineyard. Each grower will be eligible for funding up to a cap based on the number of acres currently planted to hybrid or vinifera varieties. The cap for each grower will be calculated at $1,000 per acre up to a limit of $100,000 each during the program's four years. Up to 35% of the cost for implementing vineyard improvements will be covered. Application forms are available through the ministry or the Grape Growers of Ontario. The reviewing process will begin Aug. 2, and funding will be available in the fall. In December, ap- plications will be accepted for second-year funding. —Hudson Cattell WineEast Business Systems 607-428-0500 www.pjmbusiness.com Tasting Room Point-of-Sale Direct to Consumer Wine Sales Wine Club / Case Club Management Customer Capture Kiosk Classroom and On-site Training Free Branding Serving the Finger LakeS Since 1987 Fresh Corks Directly From Portugal 4th Generation Family Cork Producer All Natural Cork Closures Ask about our Progressive Discounts Free is Better Phone (203) 681-7743 Cell (860) 335-0667 email: reliablecork@gmail.com www.reliablecorksolutions.com Wines & Vines AUGUsT 2011 49 Free Shipping