Late Lincoln winemaker honoured with scholarship at Teaching Winery

An award-winning Lincoln winemaker is being honoured through a Niagara College Teaching Winery scholarship that will help go to students of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) community.

Niagara College alumnus Paul Pender, who passed away suddenly in February 2022 at the age of 54, is having his name honoured after his former boss Moray Tawse, founder of Tawse Winery in Vineland, made an endowed gift of close to $200,000 to create “The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award.”

Pender, known for his easy going and positive nature, was the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking with Tawse Winery at the time of his death.

The donation will fund annual $10,000 scholarships for BIPOC students in the college’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, from which Pender graduated from in 2006.

“Paul’s passion for winemaking was unmatched and his talents directly contributed to our winery’s success early on,” said Tawse.

“We will be forever indebted to Paul for his dedication and friendship, and we look forward to supporting Niagara College students in his honour.”

Niagara College President Sean Kennedy said he was incredibly grateful to Tawse for the scholarship, adding, “Paul was a role model for so many students and a shining example of the trailblazing professionals coming out of our wine programs.”

Through The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award, Tawse hopes to help expand access into the Winery and Viticulture Technician program, especially for people who are underrepresented in the beverage alcohol industry, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, people with disabilities, first generation Canadians, LGBTQ2S+ and non-binary gender diverse people.

During his life, Pender was awarded the prestigious title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011 and 2022.

Also in 2022, the Ontario Wine Awards introduced a special trophy in recognition of Pender’s legacy called the Paul Pender Memorial ‘Rising Star’ Award, given to recipients who demonstrate the qualities that made Pender a winemaker’s winemaker – talent, selfless generosity, mentorship, and innovation.

Through the years, Pender kept close ties with his alma mater, returning to the College on several occasions to speak to students and share his expertise. He also participated in two advisory committees for the Winery and Viticulture Technician program and consulted with the College regarding its Artisan Distilling program.