About Me
Pioneer, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential figures in Canadian wine history. Born in St. Catharines to an Italian-Canadian fruit-farming family. Co-founder of Inniskillin Winery with Karl Kaiser — the first winery licensed in Canada after Prohibition and the catalyst for a new era of Canadian winemaking.
Professional Skills
Founder and first Chair of the VQA, establishing quality standards for Ontario wines Co-founder of Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Honoured as a Member of the Order of Canada, recipient of the Order of Ontario, and named one of Canada’s Top 25 CEOs of the Century Owner of an Art Deco collection featuring pieces inspired by Lalique, Leleu, Charles Comfort, and Frank Lloyd Wright — with select works on display at the historic Brae Burn Estate. My career later expanded globally — launching my own Ziraldo Icewine label, managing a historic Port winery in Portugal’s Douro Valley, and most recently introducing a single-vineyard Prosecco from Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
Down Time
I remain passionate about elevating Canadian wine, innovation, mentoring the next generation of winemakers and growers, and extreme skiing.
Connect with Me
I look forward to having a conversation with you. I hope you find my experience entertaining and engaging. You will be notified by email with the contact details of the time donor. You can then coordinate a mutually agreed upon location and time/date to meet. Thank you for your generosity!
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