Canadian Certified Grapevine Network (CGCN)

The Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN) brings together grape growers from all across Canada. This is a non-profit organization comprised of different grape grower associations from Ontario (Grape Growers of Ontario), British Columbia (British Columbia Wine Grape Council), Québec (Conseil des Vins du Québec) and Nova Scotia (Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia), that work together to make Canadian wine growing better and more earth-friendly.

Action Plan 

Since 2018, the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network has been running a big research program with help from the Canadian government's farming department. Under the Grape & Wine Science Cluster,  administered through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)'s AgriScience Program, they focus on:

• Research Topics: These topics involve studying grapevine viruses, finding ways to help grape plants deal with changing weather, and learning new ways to make wine. 
• Subsidized Virus Testing: The government helps make it less expensive for nurseries to test their plants and Canadian grapes for sickness.

CGCN Committed to Research 

This group takes their research work very seriously:

• A $6.1 Million Boost: In March 2024, the farming minister gave them $6.1 million to help with their research work. 
• Collaboration Across Canada: People who study grapes and wine from all parts of Canada work together to learn new things.

Certification Programs 

These programs help make sure nurseries are growing pathogen-free grapevines through different certification programs.

CGCN Interim Verification Program 

This program helps nurseries check their plants and keep them healthy. It works like this:

1. Scientists at Brock University collect plant samples and mark their locations.
2. They test the plants for sickness, such as grapevine leafroll disease, and the presence of grape virus species.
3. Healthy plants can be used to grow more plants.
4. They keep checking the plants each year.
5. Someone visits yearly to make sure rules are being followed.

CGCN-RCCV "Certified" Program 

This program uses special testing machines to ensure the health of grape plants. Plants that pass these tests receive a special mark indicating their quality.

CGCN-RCCV "Certified Plus" Program 

This is their highest-level program. Nurseries in this program get to use special starter plants from CGCN's collection:

• Exclusive Access: They can grow special Canadian grapes that others can't get
• Virus-Free Standards: They follow very careful steps to keep plants healthy
• Certified Plus Label: Plants get a special mark showing they're the very best quality

The CGCN helps ensure that Canada's grapes are healthy and grown properly to make amazing wine now and in the future. By developing a clean plant network, the Canadian wine industry can have a sustainable domestic supply of hybrid cultivars.