Meet The Mentors
Shiraz Mottiar, Malivoire Wine
Born and raised in Fergus, Ontario, Shiraz Mottiar entered the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University in 1997 and was a member of its first graduating class in 2000. In the fall of that year, Shiraz joined the team of Malivoire as a Cellar Hand. Within a year he was promoted to Assistant Winemaker and after another three vintages took the reins as winemaker in the summer of 2005.
Shiraz personifies Malivoire's founding philosophy: a winery’s excellence begins with healthy soil and vines, and depends on minimal human manipulation of the fruit and its wine. His passion is to allow each vintage to express its own unique character, reflecting the year in which it was grown. Shiraz also believes that the Niagara Peninsula, as a maturing wine region, is defining its terroir. He is determined that his sustainably farmed wines, whether gamay, rosé, chardonnay, or cabernet franc, with each succeeding vintage, will contribute to that definition.
At the end of his day, Shiraz returns home to his own Beamsville Bench vineyard, where he farms three hectares of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and newly planted Melon de Bourgogne vines. Shiraz reserves time for travel, the enjoyment of live music, outdoor recreation, and spending time with his wife Isa and his three children.
In 2017, Shiraz was thrilled to be “Winemaker of the Year” by the Ontario Wine Awards in recognition of his consistent excellence and contributions to the province’s wine industry.
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