SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING ONTARIO CERTIFIED BACKGROUND

In 2007, the Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) and Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO) worked in partnership to create the Sustainable Winemaking Ontario: An Environmental Charter for the Wine Industry and the Ontario Viticulture Sustainability Certification Program. These proactive programs were developed for wineries and vineyards to provide information on environmental requirements and identify new sustainable opportunities while complying with existing government regulations. In 2017, SWO Certified standards became an accredited certification program audited by independent third-party auditors, thus providing further validity to the sustainability efforts from the industry. In 2021, the OCW and GGO merged the two programs to create one unified program – Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) Certified. This program is built around the three core pillars of sustainability – Environment, Economy and Community. Practices within these pillars reflect how SWO Certified wineries and growers are invested in respecting our natural resources, building sustainable businesses and committed to social responsibility. Evolving SWO Certified to include both winery and vineyard certification ensures that the complete grape to glass cycle is sustainable. Look for the Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Certified logo on your favourite Ontario VQA wine bottle starting with the 2021 vintage.