The Ontario wine industry has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. The same is beginning to happen with craft beer. How do the industries compare? The lessons of a small winery provide great insight into the establishment of a craft brewery in Dundas, Ontario.
McMaster Alumni Ed Madronich fell in love with wine somewhere among the vines of France. A few years later, he developed his skills with Vincor, where he experienced the challenges, obstacles and rewards of the wine industry. Starting as a Brand Manager for Popular Wines, Ed worked his way through the ranks managing many of the brands in the Vincor portfolio. His final stop in the organization was as Director of Marketing for Inniskillin, where Ed managed all the marketing efforts both domestically and internationally, until he moved on to start Flat Rock Cellars with his father.
Already owner of Flat Rock Cellars, Ed is now also co-owner of Shawn & Ed Brewing Co., and is using his experience from the wine industry to open a craft brewery, SHED Brewing, in Dundas in the fall of 2015.