The Ontario Wine Awards (OWA) has withdrawn its “winemaker of the year” award from celebrity winemaker Norman Hardie following allegations of sexual misconduct.

“It is with deep regret that the management of the Ontario Wine Awards has decided to rescind the 2018 award of ‘Winemaker of the Year’ from Norman Hardie, effective immediately,” the organization stated in a press release Sunday.

“While we respect Norman Hardie’s abilities as a winemaker and acknowledge the international reputation he has achieved, we cannot condone or ignore his self-admitted behaviour,” the release said.

Johannes Braun, a representative for Norman Hardie Winery, said there would be “no comment at this time” about the OWA’s decision.

Judges in this year’s polling voted “overwhelmingly” for Hardie, according to the press release. The ballot took place 45 days before an investigation into the Prince Edward County winemaker was published in the Globe and Mail, the OWA said.

“This will be an ‘asterisk’ year,” with no recipient winning the category,” said Tony Aspler, OWA founder.

“In future, the potential recipient will be screened,” he said.

Hardie accepted the award at a June 7 ceremony, almost two weeks before the Globe report was published.

The allegations against Hardie include unwanted sexual contact, and inappropriate remarks. The winemaker addressed the allegations against him in a social media post Wednesday, saying that “many” of the allegations are true.

Hardie also said that some allegations against him aren’t true, but did not specify which.

“Reading the stories of these women and how my behaviour impacted them has made me deeply ashamed,” the social media post says. Hardie says that he has been working to change his behaviour, and hired an “independent adviser” to review workplace culture at the Wellington, Ont. winery in April, after he was contacted by reporters.

In the days since the allegations surfaced, companies have been quick to distance themselves from Hardie. The LCBO announced last week it would not be restocking its supplies of Norman Hardie branded wines.

The SAQ, Quebec’s provincial alcohol retailer, also reported that it would be suspending orders.

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