The Small Victories team dedicates a great deal of time to discovering emerging producers, but we also firmly believe in the importance of working with those who have undergone decades of evolution. Pillitteri stands at the forefront of the Canadian wine industry, with a rich legacy spanning three generations. What began as a family fruit stand in 1965 has since blossomed into one of the most important wineries on the eastern coast of North America.

Gary Pillitteri came to Canada from Italy at the age of 12 in 1948. The land that his family settled had been planted to stone fruit (mostly peaches and cherries) in the 1800s. They bought the land in 1965 and in 1980 they converted it to vinifera. Today, Pillitteri is the largest producer of estate Icewine in Canada. They own 185 acres split between 5 properties and produce phenomenal red, white, and orange wines in addition to their dessert wines. About 60% of their fruit is estate grown and most of it comes from the Niagara on the Lake appellation. 

An important thing to note is that Niagara is actually on the same parallel as Napa and Northern Italy! While temperatures drop precipitously at the beginning and end of the year, May through September looks and feels a lot like Champagne, Bordeaux, Alsace, and Burgundy.

Pillitteri is committed to ensuring that even their most approachable table wines are crafted with the highest quality. Each vintage begins with the creation of the Canadian Gothic line, designed to meet their standards for a delicious everyday wine. From there, they move on to the Market Collection, followed by the selection of grapes for their Carretto and Racina wines. The Carretto wines showcase traditional styles, while the Racina wines take a more experimental approach. Next, they turn their attention to the Exclamation Series, crafted from their finest Bordeaux varietals. In exceptional vintages, when only the best grapes remain, Pillitteri also releases a wine made from varietals typical of the Veneto region, using the appassimento process as a tribute to the family’s Italian roots. These rare bottles are carefully released under the Riserva Familia label. 

The family’s outstanding Icewines are made following the strict and labor-intensive guidelines set forth by the VQA. No shortcuts are taken - the grapes are left to freeze on the vines and are harvested in freezing temperatures ensuring golden nectar of superior quality. To add even more perspective to just how tough the Icewine season can be at Pillitteri, pressing is done 24 hours a day outdoors to ensure the grapes don’t thaw, and the yield is typically 25% of what they would get if the grapes weren’t frozen. 

We are incredibly proud to help the Pillitteri family to continue their legacy. Their dedication to quality, tradition, and innovation is a testament to the family’s hard work and passion for winemaking. We look forward to helping introduce even more people to the artistry behind these remarkable wines, ensuring that Pillitteri continues to flourish for generations to come.