Great Canadian Winemakers

The Wine Shop is proud to carry a wide selection of Canadian wines from the countries top producers.

Now we're putting a spotlight on some of Canada's most talented winemakers who embody this passion for great Canadian wine.

“I don’t think you can work in wine and not think about the land that we’re going to leave to all of our children. I make it a priority to challenge our practices to ensure we’re managing our vineyards in a sustainable way to produce great Niagara fruit for generations to come.”  
- Katie Dickieson, Winemaker, Peller Estates

Peller Estates: Katie Dickieson

Peller Estates Winemaker, Katie Dickieson, is an esteemed and highly awarded figure in the Canadian wine scene. Balancing a busy family life with a passion for her craft, Katie is motivated by making wines that speak to the beautiful land on which they are grown. Her goal is always to make better wines every year - and the 280,000 annual visitors who come to Peller Estates to taste her wine would agree that she's been quite successful.

Thirty Bench Wine Makers: Emma Garner

After honing her skills in Brock University’s Oenology and Viticulture program, Emma Garner joined Thirty Bench Wine Makers in 2005, where she soon became Winemaker. Her approach focuses on minimal intervention, letting the vineyard express itself. In 2015, she was named Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards, and Thirty Bench was recognized as Canada’s Best Small Winery. The winery has earned numerous awards, including Best in Show at Decanter Magazine for the 2015 Small Lot Cabernet Franc.

Trius Wines: J

Who says you can only drink white wine in summer? 2025 is all about doing things your way. Drink what you want, when you want. The world is your oyster (which pair great with Sauvignon Blanc by the way)!

Wayne Gretzky Estates: Jason Roller

Jason Roller was originally going down the path to become an architect when he was first introduced to winemaking. It didn't take long before he found himself wanting to learn more about wine and visiting the Niagara region to tour and taste at the local wineries. This lead him to eventually earning a BSc (honours) from Brock University in Oenology and Viticulture. 

Having the Wayne Gretzky winery and distillery under the same roof allows Jason to work closely with Master Distiller, Tim Wilson, to execute a unique portfolio of products. From whisky finished in Icewine and Cabernet Sauvignon barrels to Estate-exclusive spirited wines, Tim and Jason prove that blending the worlds of wine and spirits can have some truly delicious results.

I think my biggest goal is to continuously craft world-class wines and gain more international recognition for the Gretzky portfolio, but also for Canadian wines in general.

- Jason Roller, Winemaker, Wayne Gretzky Estates