ASSOCIATION DES VITICULTEURSDE L'EST ONTARIEN (AVEO)
ASSOCIATION DES VITICULTEURS
DE L'EST ONTARIEN (AVEO)
Visit AVEO on the Web AVEO Vignobles
a History of AVEO by Raymond Huneault, Vice-President, AVEO
The AVEO was founded in June 1998 by people that had a great vision for vine development in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. College d'Alfred of the University of Guelph was very supportive of this new Association. Some of these first members were already growing vines in the area. Samuel Gutknecht of Chesterville had 10,000 vines and was producing red and white wines. Carole Lavigne and Paul Doran in Bourget were growing 1000 vines and made a success story with their table grape crops. Paul Bisson of Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette was growing 1000 vines and producing wine. 
In the spring of 1998, the new members visited many vineyards in the Dunham area in Quebec lo learn more about vines in cool climates. 
In March 1999, the AVEO had its first public meeting with 54 people attending a day of training in College D'Alfred featuring Dr Helen Fisher of Vineland Research Center. Ever since, Dr. Fisher is very supportive of the wine Industry in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. In April 1999, the AVEO was incorporated and held its first Annual General meeting. The first instigators were elected to the Board. In Summer 1999, the AVEO launched its Web Site. 
In Summer 2000, Paul and Carole Doran from Bourget got their first LCBO licence giving them the authorization to sell apple wine at the farm. In year 2000 and year 2001, many growers increased their number of vines in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. Samuel Gutknecht of Chesterville is now having 15 000 vines and is planning to ask for a LCBO licence soon. Paul Bisson from Notre-Dame de la Salette and Rolland Drouin from Papineauville are now having more than 3000 vines.
In Summer 2001, 20 persons from the AVEO visited 10 Quebec vineyards in order to learn more about the new developments in this area.
Many great projects will soon be realized: an experimental vineyard at the Experimental Farm of Ottawa, a new licence from the Régie des alcools du Québec in the Outaouais area, establishment of a new coop for winemaking in Eastern Ontario and a new LCBO Licence for A vineyard in Chesterville, Ontario.
The AVEO was founded by a group of visionary people who dreamed of a strong wine Industry in the National Capital Area (Ottawa), a market of 1.4 million people. Success is already at our doorstep with visitors already asking to taste our wine.
Quebec
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