The Niagara Grape and Wine Community (NGWC)  is an industry that has 
undergone rapid change and expansion as a result of changes in governmental regulations 
and consumer preferences. As a result of these changes, the demands of the wine industry 
workforce have changed to reflect the need to implement new strategies and practices to 
remain viable and competitive. The influx of people into the community with little or no 
prior practical experience in grape growing (viticulture) or winemaking (oenology) has 
created a need for additional training and learning opportunities to meet workforce needs. 
This case study investigated the learning needs of the members of this community 
and how these needs are currently being met. The barriers to,  and the opportunities for, 
members acquiring new knowledge and developing skills were also explored. 
Participants were those involved in all levels of the industry and sectors  (viticulture, 
processing, and retail), and their views on needs and suggestions for programs of study 
were collected. Through cross analyses of sectors, areas of common and unique interest 
were identified as well as  formats  for delivery. A common fundamental component was 
identified by all sectors - any program must have a significant applied component or 
demonstration of proficiency and should utilize members as peer instructors, mentors, 
and collaborators to generate a larger shared collective of knowledge. 
Through the review of learning organizations, learning communities, communities 
of practices, and learning networks, the principles for the development of a Grape and 
Wine Learning Network to meet the learning needs of the NGWC outside of formal 
institutional or academic programs were developed. The roles and actions of members to 
make such a network successful are suggested