Six-Time Olympian and Five-Time Olympic Medalist Set To Inspire Future Canadian Wine Country Leaders with Her Legacy
If you’ve ever enjoyed a good glass of wine, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Napa Valley or Tuscany. But what about a bottle of wine from Canada? As of late, connoisseurs from across the globe have taken note of Ontario’s vibrant grape and wine country. Ontario is Canada’s leading grape producer, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s production. The Niagara Peninsula accounts for over 93% of Ontario’s grape-growing volume.
Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization representing the over 500 grape growers and 18,000 acres of vineyards for processing grapes in the three Designated Viticulture Areas in Ontario: Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore, and Prince Edward County, as well as emerging regions such as Norfolk, Ottawa, and Simcoe.
The Grape Growers of Ontario is set to kick off the 2025 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival with their 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon being held on September 17 at Club Roma in St. Catharines. They have invited their Saskatchewan sister, and figure of Canadian pride, Hayley Wickenheiser, to be their keynote speaker at the event.
“Meridian is proud to once again serve as the primary sponsor of the Grape Growers of Ontario’s Annual Celebrity Luncheon. This event is a cherished tradition that celebrates the dedication and innovation of Ontario’s grape growers and the vibrant communities they support. Our continued partnership reflects Meridian’s commitment to fostering growth and prosperity in the agri-food sector and across the province. We look forward to another inspiring afternoon recognizing the achievements of this vital industry,” stated Stephen Otten, Regional Vice-President, Business Banking, Meridian Credit Union.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser to the Grape Growers of Ontario Celebrity Luncheon on September 17 as we kick off the 2025 Grape and Wine Festival. Her remarkable achievements and commitment to leadership, community, and excellence make her an inspiring addition to this year’s celebration,” added Debbie Zimmerman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Grape Growers of Ontario.
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Hayley Wickenheiser is widely regarded as one of the greatest female hockey players of all time. A native of Saskatchewan, she had a 23-year career with the Canadian national women’s hockey team, winning four Olympic gold medals and one silver, as well as seven World Championship gold medals. She was named MVP at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics and holds records as Canada’s all-time leading scorer in women’s hockey with 168 goals and 379 points in 276 games. Wickenheiser was the first woman to play full-time professional men’s hockey in a position other than goaltender, competing in Finland’s second-tier men’s league with HC Salamat in 2003. She also played softball for Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
Beyond the ice, she earned a medical degree from the University of Calgary and now works as an emergency room physician in Toronto. She’s an assistant general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs, contributing to player development, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.
Wickenheiser has been named one of Sports Illustrated’s “Top 25 Toughest Athletes in the World” and twice appeared on their “Power 50 in Sports” list.
Wickenheiser is also known for her philanthropic work, supporting initiatives such as Right to Play, Jumpstart, Project North, and KidSport, as well as through her founding of the Canadian Tire Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival, which aims to mentor young athletes worldwide.
For more information on how to experience her keynote, visit here.
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