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Josef Zimmermann, the head vintner of Canada's King's
Court Estate Winery, is the youngest of the 6th
generation Zimmermann vintners. He started his grape growing
education at a young age by helping on the family estate,
especially during the summer school breaks. Josef's formal
grape growing and winemaking education started when he apprenticed
at several well known estate wineries in Germany, including
Dr. Bürklin-Wolf www.buerklin-wolf.de.
In 1970 he completed a certificate as a journeyman viticulturalist/oenologist
at the Lehr und Versuchsanstalt in Bad Kreuznach. To further
his studies, he enrolled at the Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim
www.fachbereich-geisenheim.de institute in Geisenheim,
where in 1973 he received an Engineer's Degree in Viticulture
and Oenology. This was followed by a Master's Degree in
Liquid Food Processing in 1975 and further research in contamination
of wines with heavy metals at the research institute in
Freiburg.
Josef's Canadian winemaking career began in 1976 when
he joined one of Canada's largest wineries, Jordan and Ste.
Michelle Cellars, at its West Coast operation in Victoria,
British Colombia. He later moved to Vancouver, British Colombia
to oversee the west coast operations. From 1977 to 1978,
Josef introduced new grape growing and winemaking technology
to the young Canadian grape growing industry. In 1980, Josef
was relocated to the company's home office in Ontario, where
in recognition of his hard work and expertise, he was appointed
Director of Viticulture, Oenology, and Research for Canada.
Following an acquisition in 1986 of Jordan and Ste. Michelle
Cellars by TG Brights Wines, Josef, turned his hand to brewing
beer under the name Sculler Brewery in St. Catharines. The
brewery was sold to Connor’s Brewery in 1988 after
which Josef decided to return to his roots in the grape
industry. Josef joined the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food to help the Ontario grape and wine industry face
the newer challenges of the Free Trade agreement and then
globalization by switching to nobler European varieties.
After five years, Josef and his wife Siglinde decided to
start a winery by purchasing an 11 acre farm. He has never
regretted the decision since!
Ein Prost!
Roland Zimmermann is the assistant winemaker at King's
Court Estate Winery in Canada. Following in his father’s
footsteps, he cultivates a tradition of excellence, as the
7th generation of vintners in his family. His interest in
viticulture was fostered by the burgeoning wine industry
in the Niagara region. Participating in such events as the
Grape & Wine Festival in St. Catharines, fuelled his
passion for a long and continuing journey into the world
of wines.
In 1998 he moved to Langenlonsheim, Germany to begin an
apprenticeship in viticulture and winemaking at his uncles’
winery, Weingut Höhn-Zimmermann www.hoehn-zimmermann.de.
Shortly thereafter, he enrolled at the same world-class
wine institute as his father has before him, the Staatliche
Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt Bad Kreuznach-Simmern
in Bad Kreuznach, Germany where he completed a journeyman’s
certificate in Viticulture and Oenology. Eager to apply
his knowledge, Roland was accepted for a prestigious internship
at Château Pichon-Longueville, Baron www.pichonlongueville.com.
Working with several of the French masters in Bordeaux compelled
him to continue his education. In 2002 he attended the Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und
Obstbau, in Weinsberg www.lvwo-weinsberg.de and completed a
technicians' degree in Viticultural and Oenological management in 2003. Rounding out his knowledge and experience, Roland sought
to learn more about sales and marketing. In 2004 he ventured
to London, England to join the team at Majestic Wines www.majestic.co.uk,
one of the UK’s top end wine merchants.
His experiences in the UK were a revelation for Roland,
opening his eyes to the possibility of marketing Canadian
Icewine worldwide. In the fall of 2005 he returned to his
roots, once again joining his family at King’s
Court Estate Winery. Infused with fresh ideas and
a new skill-set, his knowledge in sales and export are helping
to put King’s Court Estate Winery on the world map.
With a unique blend of family, tradition and innovation,
expect great things in the future!
Cheers.
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Josef
Zimmermann
Roland
Zimmermann
