At CGCN, we're committed to maintaining and expanding a sustainable domestic supply of certified, pathogen-free grapevines so that Canadian grape growers and wineries have access to the cleanest, highest-quality material.
About CGCN
Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN) is a Canada-wide not for profit organization comprised of members from four of Canada's provincial grape growing associations. It's our mission to ensure Canadian grape growers have access to domestic, high-quality, certified disease-free grapevine material.
Clean grapevines are the key to the production of high-quality wine, and necessary for the Canadian grape and wine sector to be competitive and sustainable. But grapevine viruses can cause very serious diseases and can lead to major crop losses.
We are committed to research initiatives that support the thriving Canadian wine industry.
Education is also key which is why our Certification Committee has developed Certification Programs to reduce the prevalence of grapevine viruses and ensure long-term vineyard sustainability.
Why Plant Clean Vines?
The goal for grape growers is to plant healthy grapevines to avoid introducing harmful pathogens and to prevent disease development in their vineyards. That's why it is critical for Canada's grape and wine industry to have access to certified, virus-free grapevine material.
Our Mandate
CGCN was incorporated in 2017 with a mandate to:
- Advance Canada's grape and wine industry by ensuring a sustainable domestic supply of certified propagative grapevine material.
- Promote, coordinate and direct financing towards research on a national scale for the benefit of the Canadian grape and wine industry.
- Create, update and maintain certification standards-based programs that qualify participating Canadian nurseries to proudly display their CGCN certification badge.
Our Action Plan
CGCN has administered the national Grape & Wine Science Cluster through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)'s AgriScience Program since 2018 - most recently under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership framework.
The Grape & Wine Cluster supports research into topics such as grapevine viruses, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and innovative winemaking techniques.
CGCN also works with AAFC through their AgriAssurance Program to provide subsidized virus testing opportunities to nurseries that register for our Certification programs.
Our Roots
CGCN was founded by members of four of Canada's provincial grape growing associations.
