When Rossana Magnotta co-founded Magnotta Winery with her late husband Gabe in 1990, they had just two wines, three small children, and a dream. “We were promised shelf space—and then we weren’t,” she recalls. “So we sold directly from our location. It just snowballed.”
That gamble, taken in the midst of a recession, would evolve into one of Canada's largest and most respected wineries. The journey was anything but easy. With no industry connections and no guarantees, the Magnottas invested their home, their time, and their entire future. “Every penny earned, we put back in. It was blood, sweat, and tears,” said Magnotta.
Over 35 years, the family built not only a thriving winery but expanded into beer and distillery ventures, challenging barriers in an industry resistant to change. The road was marked by litigation and loss—Gabe’s battle with Lyme disease ended his direct involvement in 2009—but the company persevered.
Today, Magnotta Winery boasts one of the largest portfolios of VQA Ontario wines, with nearly 200 products. From vineyards nestled in the unique microclimates of Niagara-on-the-Lake to international awards for their Chardonnay, the winery is now a global contender.
“We believed in Canada, in our model, and in doing things honestly and transparently,” Magnotta said. “If people really followed our story, they'd see—we earned every step.”
With growing national distribution and a passionate commitment to local products, Rossana Magnotta’s story is not just about wine. It’s about Canadian grit, entrepreneurial spirit, and the legacy of a family that turned adversity into achievement—one bottle at a time.
(Written by: Matt Latour)