At a time of rapid growth, increased global demands for Canadian organic wines and popularity in agritourism, Dr. Mehdi Sharifi’s recent research around creating the ultimate growing environment for grapevines—indoors, is welcome news for the multi-billion dollar Canadian wine industry and wine producers in this country.

“We’re targeting the main limitations of growing wine in Canada,” said Professor Sharifi, a Canada research chair (CRC) in Sustainable Agriculture, and a faculty member Trent School of the Environment. “If that plan works it’s a huge revolution in the wine industry.”

Having completed the first phase of research alongside community partner, Canadian Distribution Channel (CDC) Inc., Prof. Sharifi is tackling the challenges plaguing Canadian wine producers, namely short growing seasons, and harsh winters. 

His ground-breaking experimentation with optimum growing media and controlled climate conditions for grapevines takes place within micro-environmental chambers and the innovative sustainable agriculture laboratory on Trent University’s Peterborough campus. The indoor environment alleviates the growing conditions for wine grapes, particularly for organic wine production.

With the help of a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Aime Messiga, and Prof. Sharifi’s laboratory manager, former Trent graduate student Scott Baker, the results so far prove outstanding. Even ripe, red New York Muscat grapes were produced. Pinot noir, Shiraz and Chardonnay are next on the wine list.

The research is attracting attention from fellow researchers, investors and the provincial minister of agriculture and Peterborough MPP, the Honourable Jeff Leal ’74, who recently visited Trent’s research facilities to learn more about the project.

“Everyone is fascinated. Some people can’t believe it. It’s exciting but we still have a long way to go. There is very limited literature on this practice because nobody has studied it. This is pioneer work happening at Trent,” explains Prof. Sharifi.

The indoor vineyards project was funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Trent University’s Research Office worked with Prof. Sharifi to facilitate the grant, collaborate with industry partners, and promote his research. Prof. Sharifi is now looking ahead to further expand research to improve grape quality, and maximize health benefits.

“Research like this promotes the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program at Trent and it also brings attention to the sustainable agriculture in this specific part of the province. It’s extremely important for the community, and economic development of the region,” Prof. Sharifi expressed.

This research comes on the heels of a recently completed project Prof. Sharifi conducted with the Ontario Grape Growers Association that examines the effects of covered crops to reduce erosion and improve organic matter in Ontario’s vineyards. “The grape growers were really interested to know that someone is caring about their industry and giving practical recommendations to the issues they are dealing with,” he said.

As for harvesting the potential of his current project, Prof. Sharifi says, “It’s a very good start with very promising results to follow and expand into the future.”