Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Matthias Oppenlaender and Kevin Watson have been re-elected to positions of chair and vice chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario, the organization announced April 12.

“Having strong leadership and experience is so important and that’s what Matthias Oppenlaender and Kevin Watson bring to the table,” says CEO Debbie Zimmerman. “

Oppenlaender was first elected to the top post in 2016. Watson has held the vice chair position since 2022. Oppenlaender is also treasurer of the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network, he represents the grape growers on the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association board of directors and management committee and is the chair of the that organization’s finance committee.

Watson’s additional experience includes being on the grape growers’ advisory and metrics committee and is the organization’s representative with FARMS (Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services).

Three other NOTL residents will also serve on the grape growers board following the elections. They are Steve Pohorly and Erwin Wiens.