Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO), has announced results of the election of its 2026–27 Board of Directors and 23-member Growers’ Committee. The Board of Directors elected Kevin Watson as chair and Jeff Duc as vice chair.

Kevin Watson has been involved in Ontario’s grape and wine industry since 1978 and currently farmsapproximately 100 acres of certified sustainable vineyards with his family. He previously served onthe Growers’ Committee from 1999 to 2003, including one year as a director. He was named GrapeKing in 2007 and subsequently served on both the Growers’ Committee and Board of Directors untilhis election as vice chair in 2022. He represents GGO on the Canadian Grapevine CertificationNetwork CGCN) and the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority (VQA) Board of Directors and serves onGGO’s Advisory Committee. In addition to the vineyard, Kevin, his wife Cathy, and their two childrenalso operate an on-site home winemaking and barrel business, Watson's Barrels & WinemakingSupplies.

Jeff Duc, vice chair, is a third-generation grape grower in Niagara-on-the-Lake, managing Forrer Farms alongside his father, Ray Duc, a former chair of the GGO Board. The family operates approximately 250 acres of vineyards. He served on the Growers’ Committee from 2020 to 2024, was elected to the Board of Directors in 2024, and was named Grape King later that year. He represents GGO on F.A.R.M.S. and serves on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association.

The 2026–27 Board of Directors includes representation from across Ontario:

• -  Niagara-on-the-Lake: Steve Pohorly, Dan Lambert
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• -  St. Catharines: Will George, Joe Schenck
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• -  Winona: Brock Puddicombe
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• -  Prince Edward County: Robert Peck

At the Grape Growers of Ontario, the Next Generation Committee was established in 2019 with a clear purpose: to nurture, mentor, and build a strong foundation for the future of Ontario’s grape growers. It is incredibly rewarding to see that vision in action, as several members of the Next Gen Committee are nowserving in leadership roles at the Board level, including Brock Puddicombe, Jeff Duc, Aaron Oppenlander,Dan Lambert, Andrew Wilson and Will George. This is a strong reflection of the committee’s impact indeveloping the next generation of leadership of our industry," says Debbie Zimmerman.

Source:  Grape Growers of Ontario April 9, 2026 news release