As the Niagara wine industry is shaken by the sudden loss of one of their greatest talents, the Niagara College community mourns an inspirational alumnus, dedicated industry partner, and friend.

Winery and Viticulture alumnus (2006) Paul Pender, who was the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking at Tawse Winery, passed away suddenly on February 3 at the age of 54.

Pender and his wife Allison Findlay (2014) – head winemaker at Flat Rock Cellars – both have a special place in the College community, as prominent alumni from the Winery and Viticulture program.

Pender was enrolled during the early years of the program was a graduate of its trailblazing second class. After completing his studies, his career quickly blossomed within the heart of Niagara’s booming wine industry, and he became one of the most celebrated winemakers in Canada.

He joined Tawse in 2005 and became head winemaker in 2006. Under his leadership, Tawse achieved EcoCert Organic and Demeter Biodynamic certification and was named Canadian Winery of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 – repeat wins that were unprecedented. Pender was awarded the prestigious title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011.

In 2012, NC nominated Pender for a prestigious Premier’s Award in Technology, in recognition of his early industry success and his leadership in organic and biodynamic farming.

Through the years, Pender kept close ties with his alma mater. He participated in two advisory committees for the Winery and Viticulture Technician program and consulted with the College regarding its Artisan Distilling program. He also returned to the College on several occasions to speak to students and share his expertise.

‘I wanted them to meet Paul and be equally inspired and excited about wine’

“The Niagara wine community has not just lost one of its signature and most important winemaker but it has lost a true friend,” said Canadian Food and Wine Institute Dean Craig Youdale. “My heart is truly broken for Allison and his entire family, but I am also hopeful that his legacy will continue to inspire young winemakers of the future, and they will look to his body of work not just in the bottle, but in the people he inspired and his family he cared so much for.”

Youdale recalled how, when he came to Niagara in 2009 as Associate Dean for the CFWI, Pender was one of the first winemakers he met with. They enjoyed discussing wine, the program and Pender’s vision for the region.

“He was one of our well-known graduates at the time, and Tawse was quickly becoming the jewel of winemaking in Niagara,” said Youdale. “I was met by the most friendly, humble and engaging person you could imagine. His sense of humour, and obvious passion for what he was doing, was infectious and inspiring.”

Over the next decade, they connected countless times, and Youdale noted how Pender never wavered from who he was, and how he viewed his life as a winemaker.

“His pride for his wines, his team, and the region was clear and defined in each conversation,” he said.

“Whenever we had VIP guests to the College, I always chose Tawse as a must-see destination. It was not just about the world-class wines, but it was that I wanted them to meet Paul, and be equally inspired and excited about wine as when I first met Paul.”

‘He trained more established wine professionals in the Canadian industry and beyond than I can name’

College winemaker Gavin Robertson reflected on the tragic loss of Pender, which shocked the Niagara and Canadian wine communities, and beyond.

“This is a devastating loss for everyone who loved Paul dearly, and especially for his wife, Allison, who, like Paul, is part of the NC family,” he said.

“The enormity of Paul’s impact on Canadian wine can only be matched by the impact he had on the people who knew him and by their memories of his good-humoured affability, his spirited sense of fun, his camaraderie and appreciation for a good, cold beer and a joke or two after a hard day’s work. He’ll be missed.”

Robertson recalled how he had just begun working at the Teaching Winery about 10 years ago when they collaborated with Pender and Tawse for a few seasons, selling them grapes from the campus vineyard.

“I would pick his brain at every opportunity on all things viticulture because he seemed to have an uncanny eye for vine health and fruit quality,” said Robertson. “He was endlessly generous with his time and with his palate, eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with a young upstart in the industry.

“He had a cool calmness about him, even in the midst of the most grinding of harvest seasons, that just totally impressed me.”

For Robertson, it was astonishing to learn that Pender had only gravitated into winemaking during middle age, studying at NC as a mature student. He recalled how Pender had settled into his second career so easily and completely.

“He was comfortable in his own skin and he had a charm and charisma which, along with his stellar wines, endeared him to everyone he met,” he said.

Pender never forgot where started out on his wine journey and made an effort to help aspiring winemakers. Robertson noted how Pender hired NC practicum students to work in the vineyards and cellars that he managed for every vintage.

“He trained more established wine professionals in the Canadian industry and beyond than I can name,” said Robertson.

Always eager to host NC classes on field trips, Robertson recalled how he took time to speak to students. He started out by talking about fundamental technique and simplicity of craft and then zeroed in on wine’s true origins in their well-tended organic vineyards.

“But he would also elaborate on all of the innovations and new projects he was endlessly working on, whether it was the new sparkling program that took off like a shot flooding market shelves, their new cider program, or the new still they brought in to make artisanal spirits,” said Robertson. “He was energized and excited to be trying new things, while steadily turning out top-notch Pinots, Chards, Riesling and Cab Francs that remain benchmarks for our region.

“His wines speak for themselves: they are exquisitely balanced, honest, and true to their varietal and vineyard origins.”

Steve Gill, General Manager of the College’s Learning Enterprises, was shocked and saddened to hear about Pender’s passing.

He noted that he first met Paul almost 20 years ago when, as a prospective student, he inquired about signing up for the Winery and Viticulture program when Gill was Program Coordinator.

“We had a great meeting and I toured him around to see the Teaching Winery and the campus. He ended up enrolling, being a great student and evolving into an incredible winemaker,” said Gill. “He has been involved with Niagara College through various committees and has always stayed in touch.

“My heart goes out to his wife, Allison, and the rest of his family at this tragic time.”

‘Paul was determined to do well’

College Wine Instructor and Technologist Amanda Leduc has fond memories of Pender as a former Winery and Viticulture classmate and friend.

“Paul was determined to do well,” she said. “He always asked thought-provoking questions in class that benefitted all of us.”

She recalled studying for wine chemistry courses together and working with Pender on a viticulture assignment.

“He insisted on planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (of course). He was always interested in what was happening in the vineyard, truly understanding its role in good winemaking very early on,” said Leduc.

She remembers Pender as one of the students who would often volunteer to help clean up after sensory courses, which allowed him to continue evaluating wines, and connect with professors and fellow students.

“I remember his excitement when he returned from his practicum at Tawse, bringing some great bottles of Riesling to share with the class,” she said. ” I don’t think anyone was surprised at his success there.”

Pender also took the lead in organizing get-togethers, and Leduc will remember the many conversations they had about great wine and food, as well as the other great things life has to offer.

“Paul had joie de vivre that was contagious and will be missed.”

Service details

Funeral Services for Paul Pender will be held on February 11 at 2 p.m. (due to COVID restrictions, invitation only). The event will be live-streamed. For details and to view the obituary visit:

tallmanfuneralhomes.ca/tribute/details/9326/Paul-Pender/obituary.html#tribute-start

 

 

Niagara College is rooting for seven members of its alumnae community who have been nominated for the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Women in Business Awards (WIBA).

The WIBA recognize the leadership and success of women in Niagara’s business community and aim to encourage more women to seek out and reach for leadership roles in business, politics and our community.

Among this year’s nominee finalists is Heidi Levitzky, a part-time faculty member in NC’s School of Environmental & Horticulture Studies and graduate of NC’s Environmental Management and Assessment program (2009).

“I am truly filled with gratitude to be nominated for the Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Award in the Science and Technology Category,” said Levitzky. “In 2008 I made the best decision I have ever made, which was to move to St. Catharines to pursue a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Management and Assessment (EMA) from Niagara College. I had no idea how that would change my life’s course forever.”

Levitzky noted that she has grown and flourished as an environmental leader in Niagara since graduating from the program and is thrilled to be teaching the next generation of environmental professionals.

“My passion for environmental conservation and education has impacted the Niagara Region, from greening public and industrial spaces to educating hundreds of grade school and high school students in STEM education, to finally coming full-circle and teaching at Niagara College in the very program that provided me with the tools to succeed in the environmental field,” she said. “It has been an absolute honour to teach Hazardous Materials Management, Industrial Processes, and Project Management to EMA students, our future environmental managers and stewards, since January 2020.”

NC alumnae nominees joining Levitzky include:

• Kristen Marischuk (General Arts and Science, 2003; Social Service Worker, 2008), Counselling By Kristen, who was nominated for a Community Impact Award;
• Susan Knighton (Visual & Creative Arts – Design, 1993; Public Safety Communications, 1998; Business Basics CNED course, 2004), Earth Angel Landscaping & Property Maintenance, who was nominated for an Entrepreneurship Award;
• Margaret Lockhart (Management of Human Resources CNED course, 2012), Bethesda Community Services Inc., who was nominated for an Excellence in Non-Profit Award;
• Danuela Freel (Business Basics and Self-Employment Benefit Program CNED courses, 2008), Four Point Travel, who was nominated for an Innovations in Hospitality and Tourism Award;
• Agnieszka Krzywinska, (Bachelor of Science, Honours, Game Programming – Joint Credential, 2020), Adjective Noun Studios Inc., who was nominated for a Young Professional Award; and
• Alexandra Lacivita (Business – Sales and Marketing, 2020), The Village Boutique, who was nominated for a Young Professional Award.

The College is a sponsor for this year’s WIBA and NC’s Rebecca Nicholls, Manager of Community Employment Programs and Services, will be presenting the Community Impact Award at the awards presentation, which takes places on Friday, November 19 at the Marriott on the Falls in Niagara Falls from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn more about the WIBA on the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce website.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Behind every scoop of chickpea flour, gummy worms, or almonds sold at Bulk Barn is one passionate and determined Niagara College alumnus. 

Jason Ofield, President and CEO of Bulk Barn Canada, and a 2005 graduate of the Business – Sales and Marketing program, will return to campus virtually for the College’s Speaker Series on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Ofield will talk with NC students, staff, faculty and alumni about heading up the country’s largest bulk food retail chain during the event hosted by the Division of Business, Tourism and Environment.

He will also discuss his time at Niagara and how it prepared him for his career, the impact of the pandemic on his business and how it will effect retail long-term. In addition, Ofield will share the importance of sustainability and the story of Bulk Barn’s reusable container program, which is a significant personal and professional accomplishment. 

The event happens at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 16 on Zoom.

The following story was written by freelance writer Deborah Reid:

Wanito Bernadin, a 2003 graduate of Niagara College’s Business Administration – Marketing (Co-op) program, is the person you hire to handle a potential crisis. Even in a casual conversation, the depth and strength of his character are apparent. He’s intelligent, emanates calm, and is precise and measured in delivering a message. Public speaking is integral to his work, and his people skills are rare and exceptional. He manages expectations upwards and wants his staff to enjoy the freedom of focusing on their tasks to function at an optimal level.

As Chief Information Officer for the National Capital Commission of Canada – the largest property owner in Ottawa – his oversight includes heritage buildings, agricultural facilities, infrastructure like bridges and parklands, and the six official residences. His mandate is to ensure the capital is a source of pride for all Canadians.

Cybersecurity is also in his portfolio. “We are stewards of the national assets,” said Bernadin. “Things are going well when no one is talking about it.”

On Saturdays, Bernadin delivers a message of faith to the congregation at the Ottawa Seventh-day Adventist Church. Joy and passion emanate from him as he shares his gift as an eloquent orator. Service to the community is a cornerstone of his life – he counsels church members and feeds and cares for people living in distressed communities in the city.

“I was raised with the understanding that nothing we have is truly our own,” he said. “The resources are for us to manage and leverage to benefit ourselves and those around us.”

His mission at work and church is to get people to imagine what change will look like – to reduce fear and anxiety and help make the way forward clear.

Bernadin asked the computer animation and design team to create a 3-D model of Ottawa’s core to troubleshoot problems related to infrastructure change. In partnership with Carleton University’s Immersive Media Studio, they designed a digital twin of the city centre that allows architects and engineers to test ideas, mitigate bad decisions, improve collaboration among government stakeholders, and use in public consultation.

The project has had a positive impact on hundreds of internal employees and thousands in the consultation phase. It’s been applied to the current LeBreton Flats project and is considered for national asset management in other parts of the country. “It demonstrates the great things that can be done when partnerships arise and people work together,” said Bernadin.

Bernadin’s parents were Haitian immigrants who landed in Montreal in the early 1980s. Until the age of seven, he received an abundance of love and care from his mother. But he had a desire to live with his dad and siblings. When he was 11 years old, his dad went back to school after doing a host of jobs to keep his family afloat. His father earned a master’s degree in sociology and recreation studies. Being a student alongside a parent made a lasting impression – his father modelled the benefits of life-long learning.

To manage his large team, Bernadin employs horizontal learning. He knows enough about each area to collaborate on strategies and report upwards but trusts the in-depth knowledge of subject matter experts. “The idea is to multiply capacity, not limit it,” he said.

When asked about future ambitions, his response demonstrates humility. “I never imagined I would be here, and I enjoy it so much I have trouble looking beyond,” said Bernadin. “There are other roles I could aspire to in the government of Canada with more prestige, but they would have less humanity; given my skill set.”

Seven distinguished members of Niagara College’s alumni community have been nominated for Colleges Ontario’s prestigious 2021 Premier’s Awards. Each week leading up to the awards presentation on November 18, we are sharing stories about our nominees to celebrate their accomplishments. All stories were submitted by NC Development and Alumni Relations and written by freelance writer Deborah Reid.

Related article: Meet this year’s NC nominees for Premier’s Awards