By Rick VanSickle
When Niagara’s newest winery celebrates its grand opening on April 2, it will also mark a special milestone for the couple who founded and own the estate.
Lilia and Alexei Bodistean (below), owners of the new Dandor Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, arrived in Canada from Moldova 25 years ago on April 2, beginning a journey that would ultimately lead them to the creation of their estate winery.
“April 2 represents possibility and opportunity for our family,” said Alexei Bodistean. “When we came to Canada, we dreamed of building something meaningful. Opening Dandor Estate Winery on this date is our way of honouring the country that welcomed us and the path that brought us here.”
An invitation-only event with dignitaries and community partners will take place on April 2, followed by public celebrations at the winery from April 3 through 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy complimentary wine tastings and discover the wines and passion that define Dandor Estate Winery, located at 780 Concession 2 Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“For us, wine is about sharing moments and bringing people together,” said Lilia Bodistean. “This opening is not only about our winery — it’s about celebrating the journey, the friendships we have made, and the community we are proud to be part of.”
Nestled in the heart of Niagara’s wine country, Dandor Estate Winery blends Old World inspiration with Niagara terroir, creating wines with winemaker Adam Kern that express both heritage and place.
The winery is named after Alexei and Lilia’s sons, Daniel and Dorin, as a nod to the future while honouring the past — not only of the 100-year-old farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is being restored, but also of a family heritage of winemaking in Moldova.
The family’s winemaking story begins in the fertile soil of the Republic of Moldova, a country renowned for its ancient, 5,000-year-old winemaking tradition. For generations, Alexei and Lilia Bodistean’s grandparents and parents nurtured vineyards with care, transforming grapes into wine as an expression of family, culture, and pride.
From an early age, they were immersed in this ritual — harvesting grapes, cleaning fruit, and watching with wonder as fermentation worked its magic. Even after marrying in 1988 and moving to the city of Chișinău, they returned home each fall to help with the winemaking process, preserving a tradition deeply rooted in their lives.
It was in 2001 that their journey brought them to Canada. Drawn to the Niagara region for its beauty and strong wine culture, they “rediscovered a sense of home reminiscent of Moldova’s vineyards,” the couple says. “In 2002, on the balcony of our Toronto apartment, we made our first Niagara wine — hand-crushed grapes, simple tools, and boundless pride. That humble beginning sparked a growing community of wine lovers and led to years of shared tastings and celebrations.”
The Bodisteans embraced a new chapter in 2022 with the purchase of a century-old farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake. “Our roots in Moldova, home to the largest and most storied wine cellars in the world, planted the seed of our dream to produce premium wines in Canada,” the couple said. “Our story is a testament to how a simple family tradition can grow into a lifelong passion, connecting continents and generations — always with a glass raised in celebration of family, heritage, and new beginnings.”
The first Dandor wines
The first estate wines, being released beginning on April 3 at the winery and online here, are crafted by talented Niagara winemaker Adam Kern. The wines being released include two Rieslings, a rosé and a Cabernet Franc.
Andrea Kaiser, who is working as a marketing consultant for the new winery, told Wines in Niagara that the 2023 Riesling “was first vintage for the winery with grapes that had been on the farm when purchased by Lilia and Alexei. The 2024 vintage of the Cabernet Franc for the red and rosé is also from original plantings on the farm, which is 25 acres.”
Kaiser said that over the last two years some of the fruit orchard has been removed with more vineyard plantings, including several vinifera varieties such as Chardonnay Musqué, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. “Alexei is also planning to plant some Saperavi (approved by VQA), I think a first for commercially grown in Ontario.”
Here’s what I liked from the wines:
Dandor Riesling 2023 ($30, 92 points) — The first Riesling in the Dandor portfolio is nicely aged on release. It has a pure and lifted nose of juicy lime, yellow apples, peach, saline freshness and just a hint of ginger spice. It’s integrated on the palate with bright notes of pear, apple, white peach, fresh squeezed lime and nectarine with a lifted, finessed finish. Can cellar through 2032.
Dandor Riesling 2024 ($28, 91 points) — The 2024 version of the Riesling is more delicate on the nose with notes of white flowers, a medley of citrus, green apples, white peach and wet-stone minerality. There’s a bit more honey sweetness on the palate than the 2023 version that plays well with the melange of orchard fruits, apricot, and lemon-lime citrus notes on a bright, lifted finish. Can cellar through 2033.
Dandor Cabernet Franc Rosé 2024 ($26, 90 points) — The first rosé shows a medium pink colour in the glass with fresh notes of cran-cherry, wild raspberries, rhubarb and red apples with just a hint of citrus and wildflowers. It’s made in a dry style and shows assertive red berries, red currants, a touch of earth, herbs and plenty of zip on the finish. Lovely style of CF and a perfect match with your favourite charcuterie board.
Dandor Cabernet Franc 2023 ($38, 92 points) — Like most Cabernet Francs from 2023, the shade of red in the glass is on the lighter side, but don’t let that fool you — the nose is robust with rich red berries, ripe plums, red currants, a touch of earth and herbs, anise and well-integrated spice notes. It’s a showy Cab Franc on the palate with a plush range of dark cherries, forest berries, plums, black licorice, dried herbs and spices on a lifted, long finish. Can cellar through 2033.
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