Meet the Winemakers of Pondview & Sue-Ann Staff wines

From fruit trees to vineyards  – over generations, their family farms have become wineries. Meet two families who have been fruit farmers in Niagara for many generations & now their land produces internationally award-winning wines. They’ve grown up on the farm & certainly know what it’s like to get their hands dirty. Join us on Wednesday April 22 for the Portfolio Tasting featuring Pondview & Sue-Ann Staff Wineries to sample these outstanding wines.

Introducing…Sue-Ann Staff

Mention the family name ‘Staff’ and everyone in the Ontario wine industry knows exactly who you are talking about. Sue-Ann Staff is the first of 6 generations of fruit farmers to become a 6 generations…and an international award-winning one too!

Making her mark at Pillitteri Estates and megalomaniac, Sue-Ann has always been one to lend a hand at neighbouring wineries because ‘we are a small community & everyone pitches in’. She recently took the plunge to focus solely on her namesake winery where the tasting bar is in the kitchen of her grandmother’s farmhouse.

Introducing…Lou Puglisi

The Puglisi family grew grapes for many generations in Italy. When they immigrated to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1964, they naturally planted vineyards as pioneers of the Ontario grape growing industry.

By the age of 19, Lou had saved enough money from working on the farm & construction jobs to buy his dream sportscar – a red Camaro. His father wisely convinced him to use his savings to buy the property beside the family farm that has since transformed into Pondview Estates Winery. Now, Lou is continuing the family tradition by raising his 3 boys surrounded by the vineyards. Lou drives a minivan & hasn’t yet bought a Camaro.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday April 22
Talk around the Kitchen Table – 5:30pm
Portfolio Tasting – drop in between 6:30 & 9 pm
Location: Orange Art Gallery, 290 City Centre, Ottawa (free parking available)

Special pre-event talk

In every farmhouse, the kitchen table is the hub of the family. Sue-Ann and Lou invite you to their ‘kitchen table’ to learn first-hand about the synergies of grape growing to wine-making while you taste previous vintages & barrel samples of Sue-Ann’s Riesling (her signature grape variety) and Pondview’s Cabernet Franc. Limited to 40 people.Purchase of a pre-event ticket is required.

Advance Tickets Only

Talk around the Kitchen Table:$25 per person
Portfolio Tasting Only:$25 per person*
*This amount will be deducted from your purchase of a mixed case of wine.

The focus of this portfolio tasting event is on the stunning wines from the featured wineries.
A selection of artisan cheeses & non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
We recommend having a meal beforehand.