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Alumnus Hans Christian Jost of Jost Vineyards will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture during its annual Convocation ceremony, Friday, May 3^rd 2013.

The University’s honorary doctorate is designed to recognize extraordinary contributions to society or exceptional intellectual or community achievement. The awarding of honorary doctorates, an important feature of Dalhousie University convocations, serves to celebrate both the individual and the university as well as to inspire our graduates, their families and guests.

"Hans Christian Jost’s unparalleled contribution to the wine industry in Nova Scotia makes him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honour” said Dr. Harold W. Cook, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Principal, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus.  “His leadership and enthusiasm for the region have created a new agricultural industry where there was none and have inspired one of the fastest-growing industries in the province.  His untiring dedication to improving the rural and provincial industry and economy sets an example for other Nova Scotia business owners.”

Born in Germany, Mr. Hans Christian Jost moved with his family to Nova Scotia in 1970. Mr. Jost is a very successful businessman and winemaker and is internationally recognized for his contributions to the industry.

Until very recently he was the owner of Jost Vineyards, the largest and most successful winery in Nova Scotia. Jost Vineyards’ products are internationally recognized and have been the recipients of countless awards. Mr. Jost has also been an active member of the research community regarding the growing of grapes and other agricultural practices associated with wine making. His developments in the wine industry have been described as “effective and admirable” and building on the early work of his father, Mr. Jost has grown the wine industry in Nova Scotia which is now estimated to have a total value to the Nova Scotia economy of $200 million.

Mr. Jost graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1982 after studying agricultural business and continues to be an avid supporter of the academic activities on the Agricultural Campus. In 1983, Mr. Jost began working with Jost Vineyards, then Nova Scotia’s only grape winery, a winery that was opened by he and his father. Mr. Jost soon after became the sole operator of Jost Vineyards.

At this time the wine industry in Nova Scotia has grown substantially and Jost Vineyards have been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. One of the most notable awards given to Jost Vineyards is the recognition of their 1999 Vidal Ice wine, which was recognized as Canada’s Wine of the Year for the year 2000. Products from Jost Vineyards have been served to numerous notable people, including Queen Elizabeth II and numerous Canadian Prime Ministers. In 1996, He and his wife, Karen, went on to establish Gaspereau Vineyards and opened its accompanying winery in 2004. Both of Mr. Jost’s Vineyards have greatly aided the tourism industry in the Annapolis Valley and have also embraced the smaller markets of the local farms and agricultural businesses in the region.

Mr. Jost’s success in the wine industry is widely recognized throughout Canada; however, he also has many accomplishments growing the wine industry, as well as the rural economy, in Nova Scotia. He is a firm believer in local produce and supporting the small markets of the rural areas in the region. Mr. Jost has also aided the development of other wineries in the province, often working with other business to grow the industry. He is constantly supporting the development of viticulture and wine making in Nova Scotia and Jost Vineyards is the first winery east of Ontario to employ mechanical harvesters.

Mr. Jost is credited with being a key player in the formation of both the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia and the Winery Association of Nova Scotia. He was also involved with the implementation of the Nova Scotia Farm Wine Policy in 1986 and launched and chaired the first ever Atlantic Canada Wine Symposium. Mr. Jost’s efforts to grow the industry have helped to retain and attract young, well‐trained professionals to Nova Scotia. Mr. Jost is recognized as a committed leader to one of the fastest growing industries in the province.

“Since immigrating to Nova Scotia, Hans Christian and the Jost family have been true pioneers in as much as they recognized the opportunities that existed in rural Nova Scotia to create and nurture a new agricultural commodity for Nova Scotia, thereby creating new wealth and employment,” added Dr. Richard Donald, Associate Dean, External Strategic Partnerships and Interim Associate Dean, Research.