Our Team
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Managing Director
Nicholas Pearce
Armed with his MBA from the Bordeaux International Wine Institute, where he worked as a nΓ©gociant and gained experience working in winemaking, Nicholas moved back to Ontario from France in 2009 and started importing wines from small properties around Europe.
Starting as a one-man operation, he began building the NPW business case by case, and eventually assembled a passionate and talented team (who you can learn more about below) along with an amazing roster of winemakers and vigneron from around the world.
Nick's favourite wines right now:
Organic / Biodynamic wines, our Best Value collection,Β and (of course) his ownΒ Pearce Family Wines!
Director of Operations
Michelle Ratzlaff
Michelle enrolled in the International Sommelier Guild's intro to wine course as a hobby, which quickly into a passion. She completed her Sommelier Diploma with ISG soon after and began working in some of the city's best wine bars, including a stint as the head sommelier at The Chase. She joined the NPW team in 2015 where she quickly became an integral part of our operations.
Her favourite wines right now are all iconic wines:Β
Mauperthuis Chablis,Β Chateau du Moulin Noir Montagne Saint Emilion, andΒ RΓ©va Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC.
Director
Ashley Pearce
With a background in photo journalism and social work, Ashley provides some much needed balance to this wild "Crew Sauvage" bunch of sommeliers. Already a co-owner and director, she joined the office team in 2016 and has become a vital part of our rapidly growing business. Ashley has her own connection to the local wine scene, tooβher family has a vineyard and farm in Prince Edward County known as Clos Saint Jean.
When she's not working, you'll find her playing with her sons Benson and Harley and enjoying a glass of Pinot or Chardonnay.
Her favourite wines right now:Β
Mauperthuis Chablis, Roche de Bellene Pinot Noir, Pearce Predhomme Oregon Pinot Noir, A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, 3XP Chardonnay and Tessari Soave.
Founding Partner of 'Pearce Predhomme Wines'
Will Predhomme
Based in Toronto, Will is best known as one of Canadaβs top sommeliers. He rose to the top of the somm food chain during his development of the world-class wine programs at Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants (including Canoe Restaurant & Bar). He has represented his country in sommelier competitions internationally and holds an Advanced Level Diploma with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He is also an instructor at the University of Guelph, and has been broadcast nationally as a producer and host of The Globe & Mail Wine Basics Video Series.
Will obviously loves to drink his namesakeΒ Pearce PredhommeΒ along withΒ Mullineux,Β Matthieu Barret,Β Roche de Bellene,Β BaroloΒ andΒ Brunello. Aside from the serious sides of wines, he also just loves a nice glass ofΒ RosΓ©!
Operations Manager
Amelia Keating-Isaksen
Amelia comes from rural Nova Scotia, where what started as a summer job at a winery turned into a lifelong passion. She came to Ontario to get a diploma in Winemaking and Viticulture at Niagara College, completed a WSET 3, and hasn't left the province since. Over the last decade, she steeped herself in many parts of the industry: sales, hospitality, production, viticulture, and managementβsometimes all at once. She has been integral in crafting many award winning wines in Canada. When she's not sipping wine, you can find her in her garden, cooking, or hanging out with Guinness and Bacon, her two dogs.
LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Georgia Hempel
After years of bartending at fine dining restaurants in the city, Georgia transitioned into the world of wine distribution with a logistics role, where she completed her WSET Level 2 and combined her industry knowledge and knack for organization to help keep things running smoothlyΒ on the operations side.
In herΒ spare time, you can find her taking a bike ride through the east end, or hanging out with her dog, Ollie.
Some of her favourite wines in the portfolio are Punset Arneis Langhe DOC, Weingut Bianka und Daniel Schmitt Freiheit RosΓ© FIZZ and Domaine Baud CrΓ©mant du Jura Brut.
LOGISTICS & OFFICE COORDINATOR
Montserrat De Los Rios
After earning a degree in Linguistics from the University of Toronto, Montserrat followed her passion for wine and agriculture to Niagara College, where she completed the Winery and Viticulture Technician program. With several years of hands-on vineyard and cellar experience, she brings a deep understanding of the winemaking process from grape to glass. Her time living in Austria and Spain, along with her Chilean-Uruguayan heritage, has broadened her appreciation for wines from around the world β but her heart belongs in Ontario, and she loves celebrating its wines.
In her spare time, you can find her out for a run or a swim, or getting lost in a good book.
Her favourite wines in theΒ portfolio are the Leaning Post CuvΓ©e Winona, Jasci Pecorino, andΒ Leaning Post Verto (which she had a hand in making!).
Operations Coordinator
Madeleine Vogelaar
With a background in theatre production and management, Madeleine brings both creativity and attention to detail to her role as Operations Coordinator. Since joining the wine industry two years ago, she has worked across wine imports, event planning, and portfolio management, helping connect producers with the Ontario market. She holds her WSET Level 2 certification and is always excited to learn more about the world of wine.
When she's not working, she enjoys exploring the city, or soaking in the sun with a good book in hand.
Retail Operations Manager
Adam Caputo
Adam found his passion for wine while working at the LCBO where he sought out every opportunity to grow that passion into a career. The allure of fine wine naturally drew his attention to the Vintages section where he became a Product Consultant at the renowned Summerhill LCBO. After travelling to the wine regions of Tuscany and Bordeaux and perusing his education through WSET where he is currently a Diploma candidate and holds the French Wine Scholar and Wines of Portugal certificate, his path led to the buying desk of the LCBO where he worked as a Product Manager for European Wines managing Iberia and Fortified before moving over to New World where he oversaw the Australia and New Zealand portfolios.
Adam spent much of his childhood summers at his family cottage in Georgian Bay where he now enjoys spending time with his family including his children Julian and Victoria along and two dogs Charlie and Luna.
Favourite wines in the portfolio:
StΓ©phane Aviron Vieilles Vignes Moulin-Γ -Vent, Cortonesi 'La Mannella' Brunello di Montalcino and Paddy Borthwick Riesling Wairarapa.
Retail Portfolio Coordinator
Nell Best
Nell hails from small town Stratford, a city known for its classical theatre and renowned culinary scene. While she did spend some time working in restaurants, it wasnβt until returning home from a backpacking trip through Europe that her interest in wine turned into pure unbridled enthusiasm. Upon her return, she took a job at the LCBO and moved to Toronto to explore this passion through education. In the summer of 2019, she completed the WSET Diploma program and went on to becoming a Product Consultant at one of Toronto's largest and finest LCBO stores. After nearly 10 years of working with the LCBO, Nell joined Nicholas Pearce Wines to continue learning about the industry.
In line with Nellβs love of all things wine, you can find her enjoying a glass with friends on her front porch β and when itβs too cold for that, you can catch her at her favourite dance studio, grooving out to anything with a good beat.
Favourite wines in the portfolio:
Tornatore Etna Rosso, Tantalus Vineyards Riesling, Roche de Bellene Pinot Noir and Mullineaux Chenin Blanc.
Account Manager
Ian Thresher
Ian started his journey in hospitality more than 20 years ago, and developed a passion for wine and food while working as a chef for eight years. After earning his sommelier diploma from the International Sommelier Guild, he began his career as a somm at some renowned Toronto establishments, including the iconic Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar, George Restaurant and many more. Ian joined the NPW team in 2016 and has been a great ambassador for wine culture, sharing the experience of our ever-growing portfolio β and his unbridled passion β with our clients.Β
Ian's current faves in our portfolio:Β Β Gilvesy Furmint, Aviron CΓ΄tes de Brouilly,Β Tornatore Etna Bianco, βPearce Predhomme Cinsault/SyrahΒ (a favourite among somms in the city!)
Senior Key Account Manager
Sarah Mifsud
Sarah hasΒ always been passionate about how food and wine can bring people of all cultures and lifestyles together. This passion led her to workΒ in kitchens for about 8 years, where she stumbled upon an amazing world of wine during a ski season out in Whistler, and decided to spend a summer at a winery in the Okanagan Valley to turn her love for wine into a career. Upon returning to her home, Ontario, Sarah completed her CMS exam and worked at some of Toronto's leading hospitality-focused restaurants, including Richmond Station and taking on the Head Sommelier position at Giulietta.
Outside of wine, you can find herΒ woodworking, mountain biking, and hanging out with her pal, Hank the miniature dachshund.
Sarah's favourite wines from the portfolio are are:
Punset Barbaresco
Lighthall Chardonnay
Vinatigo Listan Negro
Pearce Predhomme Cinsault/Syrah
Sales Representative
Kearney Cooper
Having relocated to The Blue Mountains/Collingwood area from Toronto a number of years ago, Kearney definitely noticed the area was a hot spot for oenophiles. With more than 20 years experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry and a passion for all things wine, food, travel and people, selling wine was the next logical step. He spent many years behind the bar throughout some of Torontoβs most beloved restaurants, where he developed a deep love and understanding of wine and spirits. When not selling wine youβll find Kearney spending time with his family and furthering his wine knowledge through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust programs.
Favourites from the portfolio: Mauperthuis St. Bris, Tornatore Etna Bianco, Grains D'Estuaire CuvΓ©e Emma, Keint-He Portage Pinot NoirΒ βΒ all great value wines!
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Gillian Ainsworth
Gillian has 20 years of experience in hospitality, an industry she fell into while studying Radio Broadcasting in London, Ontario. What started as a part-time job became a full-time passion almost immediately. Her new career took her all over Canada and the world, before settling back in her hometown of Ottawa in 2017. She completed her WSET levels 2 and 3 while managing dining rooms, alongside some incredible sommeliers, at some of the finest restaurants in the city. When she's not discussing wine with clients and guests, she's likely discussing dolls and dress-up with her daughter, Hazel.Β
A few of Gillian's favourite bottles are the 3XP Biodynamic Chardonnay, Frederic Brouca Clos Sauveplane and anything by Escoda-Sanahuja.
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Nic Vanderende
Nic resides in the quiet rural area of Chatham-Kent aka βThe Tropics of Canadaβ. Recognizing the growing interest for better food and wine in the London to Windsor tip of Ontario, Nic is working to fulfill the need for industry professionals to help the up-and-coming restaurant scene and legacy locations alike develop their wine programs. A lifetime of passion for food and beverages evolved into the pursuit of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust programs, having completed level 3 with plans to study for the diploma. Β Β
In his free time, he enjoys cycling, traveling, unique dining, cooking, enjoying a bottle of wine with friends and most importantly, spending time with his wife, two daughters and dog, George.Β
Nic gets excited about unique wines that express a sense of place; anything from clay amphora fermented orange wines, obscure native grape varieties, or a Nebbiolo from Mexico as a few examples. Still, he says thereβs nothing like a well-made Pinot Noir. Β
Some of his favourites from the portfolio include Pearce Predhomme Chenin Blanc, Leaning Post 'The Fifty Chardonnay 'The Fifty', Tornatore Etna Rosso, and ChΓ’teau de La Chaize Brouilly.
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Cindy Pritchard
Cindyβs passion for wine has taken her around the globe - literally. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, she brought her passion and expertise to developing a boutique winery in the Barossa Valley, South Australia and later launched a charming wine shop on Mexico's picture-perfect Baja Sur Pacific coast. A WSET Level 3 graduate with Distinction, Cindyβs favourite part of the job is introducing people to unique wines and the stories behind them.
When sheβs not sharing her love of wine, youβll find Cindy hunting for funky hidden gems to eat, wandering through art galleries for inspiration, or saving her pennies to travel to the next interesting food and wine destination!
From the portfolio, she loves BUBBLES! Anything with a bubble from our Vitivinicola Fangareggi Vigna Rosa Lambrusco to our Fresne Ducret Le Chemin du Chemin Premier Cru Champagne ... she loves to revel in bubbles!!
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Trevor King
Trevor's path into wine was paved by curiosity and a perpetual desire to learn. A seasoned traveler, his time spent across wine regions around the world is matched by formal credentials from the WSET, the Sommelier Factory programs, and a Rioja Wine Diploma. Trevor likes to keep things interesting and fun. He's drawn to classic varietals and regions as well as to the edges of the wine map β to indigenous varieties that most people haven't discovered yet, and old favourites done right.
Some of his favourites from the portfolio include ViΓ±Γ‘tigo ListΓ‘n Negro, Domaine Frey Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Le Val and Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc.