By Rick VanSickle
Their goal is clear: create an all‑natural, science‑backed wellness product that helps people with wine sensitivities enjoy the wines they love — without altering colour, taste, or aroma. And you can help.
Also in this Ontario Wine Report: PEC’s Margaret Appleby honoured for “outstanding” wine contributions, Pillitteri commits more than $420,000 to support Canadian Olympic athletes, and our picks of the Niagara wines released at the LCBO Saturday, including two wines from Bachelder and a Gamay from Hidden Bench.
Joanne Lachance and Franco Venturato of Purvivino, a natural filtration product that removes sulphites and histamines from wine without altering aroma or taste, earned a community grant from Brock University’s Navigate program competition in December.
“The Navigate program not only boosted confidence in ourselves and in our product but also provided us with strategic insight in a well-structured and supportive environment,” said Lachance.
Lachance, along with her partner in life and business, Venturato, co‑founded Purvivino Inc. “For nearly eight years, wine simply wasn’t part of my world,” said Lachance. “Even a single glass left me flushed and uncomfortable. Then I met someone who approached wine with intention — and instead of avoiding the discomfort, I became curious about it. That curiosity became a turning point, and eventually, a mission.”
Purvivino began with one simple belief: wine should be a pleasure, not a discomfort, which is why the couple is building a Canadian startup in collaboration with Brock University and the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.
To reach their goal, the needed scientific clarity. That’s when Dr. Laura Voigt, a clinical researcher at Brock University with deep expertise in how the body responds to natural compounds, joined the journey. Together, they are studying what triggers wine sensitivities and how natural solutions can support the body — without changing the wine itself.
Lachance and Venturato are asking for the public’s input to provide vital information as part of their research and development. Every response will help them better understand real consumer needs and refine a product designed to make wine more enjoyable for everyone. They are seeking feedback from wine drinkers, those who have experienced adverse effects from wine, and industry professionals who can provide insights into the wine consumer experience.
If you can help, please go here to complete the survey.
GGO honours Margaret Appleby
her “outstanding” contributions
The Grape Growers of Ontario named Margaret Appleby as the recipient of the GGO award of merit, recognizing her “outstanding” contributions to Ontario’s grape growing industry.
Appleby spent more than two decades with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), retiring in 2015 as provincial specialist in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Systems based at the Brighton Resource Centre. In this role, she worked closely with grape growers, researchers, and consultants to develop and deliver practical, research‑based IPM strategies for horticultural crops.
For more than 26 years, Appleby has been closely involved with the Prince Edward County grape industry, supporting growers as vineyards were established in the region. She provided technical leadership through workshops, meetings, and regionally appropriate production protocols, and initiated the PEC Grape IPM Bulletin to address emerging pest concerns. She also led an Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada research project focused on IPM strategies for key grape pests, with results incorporated into grower recommendations.
“Margaret’s work in Prince Edward County was instrumental in transforming a young and developing area into a viable and respected wine region,” said Matthias Oppenlaender, chair of GGO. “Her practical knowledge, commitment to growers, and ability to bring people together gave PEC grape growers the tools and confidence needed to succeed.”
“PEC grape growers would not be where we are today without the tireless, consistent, and patient support Margaret has provided since vineyards were first established in the County,” said Robert Peck, Prince Edward County representative on the GGO board of directors. “We cannot thank her enough and are thrilled to see her receive this award, which acknowledges her significant contribution to the success of the wine industry in Prince Edward County.”
In addition, Appleby has operated her family orchard and farm in Northumberland County since 1976. Her contributions to the apple industry were recognized with the Golden Apple Award in 2013.
Since retiring from OMAFRA, Appleby has continued to support the sector as a horticultural consultant and as an instructor in the food and farming program at Durham College.
Appleby lives on her farm with her son, Michael, and remains actively engaged in agricultural education and industry support.
The GGO congratulates Appleby on this well‑deserved recognition and thanks her for her continued dedication to the province’s grape growing industry.
Niagara’s Pillitteri winery commits more
than $420,000 to support Canadian athletes
Pillitteri Estates Winery announced that it has committed more than $420,000 in support of the Canadian Olympic Foundation (COF) through its Team Canada wine program.
“At a time when national attention focuses on the funding challenges faced by Canadian athletes, this milestone underscores the meaningful role that small, independent Canadian businesses can play in supporting sport at the highest level,” the Niagara winery said in a news release.
“For Pillitteri Estates Winery, this initiative goes beyond wine — it reflects a deep commitment to community, country, and the pursuit of excellence,” the news release added.
“As a Canadian, family-run winery, we believe in supporting the people who represent our country on the world stage,” said Lucy Friesen, Pillitteri’s president of marketing. “This program allows us to contribute in a tangible way. Every bottle sold is a vote of confidence in our athletes and their journey.”
The Canadian Olympic Foundation is the official fundraising arm of the Canadian Olympic Committee. It provides critical funding that helps athletes access elite coaching, advanced training, sport science, and international competition opportunities — all essential components for success at the Olympic level. For many athletes, this support helps bridge the gap between potential and podium.
The Canadian Olympic Foundation believes “the contributions from Pillitteri Estates Winery have made a real impact. Support from partners like Pillitteri ensures Canadian athletes have the resources they need to compete and succeed on the global stage.”
The winery says the Team Canada wine collection offers Canadians a “unique opportunity to be part of that journey. With every purchase, consumers directly contribute to the future of Canadian sport helping athletes train harder, go further, and represent Canada with pride.”
Pillitteri remains committed to growing this program and continuing its support for Canadian athletes through its athlete partnership wines.
Note: information for the stories above provided to Wines in Niagara
Our recommendations for Niagara
wines released at Vintages April 11
Bachelder Les Villages Bench Chardonnay 2023 ($35, 92 points) — The Les Villages Chardonnay is sourced uniquely from single vineyards on the Twenty Mile Bench and Beamsville Bench. It’s labelled under the newer Niagara Escarpment VQA badge. This has a pretty nose of bright apples, lemon tart, ripe pear, flinty/stony minerality notes and a pinch of spice. It has a creamy texture with poached pear, yellow apples, bergamot, and a touch of savouriness on a bright, lifted finish. Drinking fine right now but can cellar through 2027.
Bachelder Werner-York Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 ($45, 94 points) — This is the second iteration of Chardonnay from the Werner Vineyard, and I am as impressed with the 2023 version as I was with the previous vintage. The Werner’s tiny parcel of vines on the St. David’s Bench performs more like, or equal to, the best examples from the west side of the canal on the Twenty Mile Bench. The nose is profoundly elegant with a lifted and floral beginning followed by fresh saline and oyster shells, pears, golden apples, lemon verbena, white peach and integrated spice notes. It’s mouth-filling on the palate while maintaining its elegance and purity with dense stone fruits, lemon, chiseled salinity, river rock, subtle creamy notes and spice with an elevated, long, and finessed finish. Can cellar through 2035.
Hidden Bench Gamay 2023 ($30, 92 points) — The Gamay grapes were sourced from the estate’s vineyards in the Lincoln Lakeshore (contracted by Hidden Bench, farmed and planted to organic fruit in 2013) and Beamsville Bench sub-appellations. It’s aged in 100% French barriques (10% new) for nine months. This is a more serious, complex style of Gamay than what you usually see in Niagara with a fruit-laden nose of purple plums, raspberries, violets, cranberries, brambly/earthy notes and just a hint of spiciness. It shows some texture on the palate and light tannins with a melange of red berries, plum pudding, savory/earthy notes, integrated spice and mouth-watering acidity on a lifted finish. Can cellar this through 2031.
Other Niagara wines released but not reviewed by Wines in Niagara:
• Charles Baker B-Side Riesling 2024 ($25)
• Peninsula Ridge Wismer Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ($22)
• Tawse Limestone Ridge-North Riesling 2024 ($25)
• Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir 2022 ($38)
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