Still the Ontario Standard: Inside the Winemaking and Wines of Malivoire
Don’t Call it Comeback! - Malivoire Continues its Reign in Ontario Fine Wine
A Line of Land-first Wines
One thing I’ve always loved about Malivoire is that the caliber of their wines extends far beyond their flagship bottles. Across the portfolio, there’s an admirable consistency in the way that each wine captures and translates the essence of Niagara terroir, a direct reflection of the care and attention given within both the vineyard and the cellar. That commitment to quality shines thru in each bottle, making Malivoire’s strong and well-rounded portfolio one of the defining features of what makes it one of Ontario’s best wineries.
Find wine reviews of their latest releases below.
Malivoire Goes Green…(before sustainability was a buzzword)
Since its opening in 1999, Malivoire has helped shaped the Ontario’s wine landscape by being a prominent leader in the Sustainable Winemaking program within the province. Before sustainability was a buzz word, Malivoire had already established a gravity flow facility, a semi-underground barrel cellar, and practiced natural, eco-friendly farming.
Three Legged Stool: Planet, People Prosperity
Founder Martin Malivoire maintained a theory that relied on 3 P’s for a winery’s viability and longevity. The three-legged stool, made up of Planet, People, and Prosperity had to remain equally sustainable and in balance to ensure it didn’t topple over.
Today, they maintain a high standard of ecologically sound winegrowing and day-to-day life at the winery by incorporating new biodiversity systems, and initiatives like their Take Back the Pack program, that encourages consumers and licensees to bring back their packaging materials to be reused in the shipping cycle.
Meet the Malivoire Winemakers
Shiraz Mottiar worked as Malivoire’s winemaker for the past two decades, keeping an even keel of accolades along the way and holding Malivoire’s position as an industry leader and a consistent producer of Ontario fine wine. Since 1999, he’s also tended his own vineyards and has recently transitioned to Malivoire’s Winegrowing Director.
As of 2026, the title of Winemaker belongs to Andrea Wilson. Her background includes degrees including Agricultural Engineering, Viticulture and Oenology, and a certificate in Wine Business. She’s worked in the wine regions of Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.
Malivoire’s Enduring Love Story with Gamay, Celebrating a Passion for the Grape
Like most of Malivoire’s greatest successes, Gamay was a hard focus before it became cool in Canada. With 23 acres of the grape under vine, they produce the most Gamay in Canada, with 7 single-varietal bottlings. Malivoire Gamay ranges from approachable, light-bodied reds to more focused, single-vineyard, complex expressions.
They realized early on that the limestone soils within the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in Niagara would lend distinct earthiness and minerality to the wines, with an excellence comparable to those of Gamay’s homeland in Beaujolais, but with that definitive Niagara precision. Malivoire has truly championed Gamay and played a major role in its rise to becoming one of the provinces most distinguished grapes.
Wine reviews of 6 Malivoire wines to try:
Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2022
This Chardonnay comes from the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation and sees 9 months in oak prior to bottling. It pours bright gold and exudes aromas of fresh apricot, golden delicious apples, and a touch of honey. At first sip, the palate is dry, creamy and glossy with whipped butter notes that are livened with crisp apple flavours and an appetizing, well-balanced acidity. The Beamsville Bench terroir is shining thru with a tangible minerality that continues on a long finish, with just a touch of bitterness. So focused and elegant.
Malivoire Rose Moira 2025
This Bench rose is made with 100% Pinot Noir and begins with extra fruity aromas with red cherry candy, strawberry, melon, rhubarb and florals adding an elegance to the nose. A crisp, dry palate rose that blossoms with ripe acidity and an appetizing, chalky minerality tying into a lengthy finish. A food-friendly, refreshing sip!
Malivoire Courtney Gamay 2022
A hue of brick red, this single block Gamay from the estate’s vineyard on the Beamsville Bench offers a highly aromatic, seductive nose of smoked cedar, raspberries and cherry, dried roses, and pot pourri. Dried cranberry and hints of woodsmoke woven through feathery tannins set the tone for a savoury palate infused with soft oak notes as a result of its aging methods undergone between barriques and French oak puncheons. Tangy acidity sparks thru concentrated red currant and black raspberry in the core, while black tea and cloves add complexity towards a prolonged finish. A serious Gamay, that’s seriously good.
Gamay lover? Find more Gamay wines to try here.
Malivoire Stouck Viognier 2024
This Viognier is derived from grapes grown at the Stouck Family Vineyard in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. It introduces itself with delicate aromas of pineapple, underripe mango, white carnations, a hint of pine and spearmint. The nose turns to notes of pineapple with pinches of starfruit and tangible prickly pepper through the core of the palate that gradually evolve to a rich/oily mouthfeel. A faint bitter squeeze with hints of almond skin prolongs on a lengthy finish. Bright acidity amplifies the terrific structure of this Viognier that seems to exemplify the cooler-climate side of the grape.
Malivoire Melon 2025
Made with 100% Melon de Bourgogne - 70% from old vines on the Malivoire Estate Vineyard, and 30% from Mottiar Vineyard. A rare grape in Ontario, but one that Malivoire has adopted with much success. The nose reveals starfruit, peaches, and candied lemon. A light-bodied palate offers super citrus bursts of grapefruit, lime and lemon. Wonderfully vibrant, complex, bright and zingy, making it perfect for its noted seafood pairing of oysters. It concludes with a refreshing, enduring finish.
Malivoire Demo Series Analog 2024
This fruit-driven red wine from Malivoire’s Demo Series consists of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Gamay. Hypnotic aromas of violets, forest floor, dried herbs and dark cherries are spellbinding as it lures one into the first sip. The Analog is medium-bodied and contains soft tannins that glide effortlessly over a highly-drinkable, well-balanced palate. The marriage of these two grapes provides a pleasurable savouriness that easily beckons another sip.
