KATHERINE REID, BIOGRAPHY

Katherine has asked me to write her "Bio" for Growwine. It is rare for me to not know what to say, but this has taken me weeks. I don't know how to do justice to the lady and yet have it short enough for people to read.

Katherine has played a leading, if unobtrusive role in making the Ontario wine industry female-friendly. She graduated with a BA in Geography from McMaster University in 1981. Her winery career began in 1981 when she was hired by the far-sighted Paul Bosc Senior of Chateau des Charmes as a research assistant for Dr. John Paroschy at the winery. She worked in almost all viticultural and oenological endeavours at this winery until 1994. She became the winemaking consultant at Sunnybrook Estate Farm Winery in 1994. She was the first female fruit winemaker in Canada, and the first Canadian fruit winemaker to earn best of class in International competition. She has, since then, earned an impressive array of awards.

In 1994 she had the opportunity to become assistant winemaker to pioneer John Marynissen, where she stayed until she became associate winemaker at Joseph's Estate Winery in 1996 where she now hangs her hat. An even-lesser-known side of Katherine is her involvement in sports (many awards including Provincial Champion, Girls Basketball) and as a poet (she has been published several times in anthologies for the National Library of Poetry).

Katherine is a member of
Who's Who of Canada and of Who's Who of Canadian Women,

where her quoted comment (p. 799) is "I feel honoured and privileged to have worked with four special gentlemen that have given me an opportunity to shine and who share the same philosophy, knowing that a great wine is made in the vineyard. They are Dr. John Paroschy, my mentor, Paul M. Bosc of Chateau des Charmes, who gave me my start in the wine industry, John Marynissen, who saw my potential, and Joseph Pohorly, who allows me to produce internationally recognized wines as his associate oenologist at Joseph's Estate Wines". Typical self-effacing Katherine at work here!

But to me, Kathy is the lady with the big smile and the big hug for her friends. Yet she is still unknown to many of the so-called movers and shakers in the Ontario industry (including some high-profile wine writers!). She puts Rodney (I get no respect) Dangerfield to shame. I consider it an honour to call her friend.

I would like to conclude by congratulating Katherine on her inclusion in the list of

2000 Outstanding WOMEN of the Twentieth Century,
a publication of the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge England (Oxford University, I think). This is a major international project, and a major honour for Katherine to say the least.

And she will likely be the lady pouring the wine at the Joseph's booth at Fiesta Buckhorn on July 21st - with the same big friendly smile!

Well done, Katherine!

Larry Paterson, LFW, RD, May 4, 2001.

You can Email Katherine Reid.

Niagara Growers www.littlefatwino.com