Shiraz Mottiar of Malivoire Wine is Winemaker of the Year

By / Wine + Drinks / June 30th, 2017 / 6

Quench Magazine had the distinct pleasure to award Shiraz Mottiar with Winemaker of the Year at the 2017 Ontario Wine Awards. The award recognizes consistent quality spanning the entirety of Mottiar’s work as well as his contribution to the industry.

“I’m thrilled to receive this recognition and I’m truly humbled by this honour,” Mottiar says. “It’s a privilege to be added to the superb group of winemakers who have received this award before me. After more than 10 years at the helm of winemaking at Malivoire, I believe I have really found the essence of what we can accomplish; this is rooted in the most appropriate varieties being matched to our vineyard sites and subsequently reflected in a wine style that proudly proclaims its cool climate Ontario origins. I see each new vintage as an opportunity to continue to uncover new insights about our vineyards, our fruit and our wines. All of this in turn, shapes me and my approach and as a winemaker in this amazing wine region.”

Mottiar attended Brock University’s Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute when it first opened and was a member of the first graduating class in 2000. That same year, he joined Malivoire as Cellar Hand. Following a brief hiatus from Malivoire, during which he spent time working in the Yarra Valley of Australia for Coldstream Hills Winery, he rejoined the Malivoire team and, eventually, took over as winemaker in 2005.

His passion and talent when crafting wine is what makes Mottiar winemaker of the year. He respects each vintage; he understands that every year is different – from the climate to the grapes themselves – and allows the unique differences to influence his winemaking technique.

A small-town Ontario native, Mottiar supports his region – the Niagara Peninsula – hoping that his award-winning wines, whether they’re under the Malivoire brand, or his own Beamsville Bench vineyard brand, will help define this young wine region. We look forward to seeing what he creates in the coming years.

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