Our Team
Managing Director
Nicholas Pearce
Armed with his MBA from the Bordeaux International Wine Institute, where he worked as a négociant 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, and (of course) his own Pearce Family Wines!
Director of Operations & Sommelier
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:
Mauperthuis Chablis, Chateau du Moulin Noir Montagne Saint Emilion, Réva 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, too—her 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:
Mauperthuis Chablis, Roche de Bellene Pinot Noir, Pearce Predhomme Oregon Pinot Noir, A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, 3XP Chardonnay and Tessari Soave
Account Manager & Sommelier
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 – and his unbridled passion – with our clients.
Ian's current faves in our portfolio: Gilvesy Furmint, Aviron Côtes de Brouilly, Tornatore Etna Bianco, Pearce Predhomme Cinsault/Syrah (a favourite among somms in the city!)
Founding Partner of 'Pearce Predhomme Wines' & Sommelier
Will Predhomme
Based in Toronto, Will is best known as one of Canada’s 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 namesake Pearce Predhomme along with Mullineux, Matthieu Barret, Roche de Bellene, Barolo and Brunello. Aside from the serious sides of wines, he also just loves a nice glass of Rosé !
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Celia Méndez Díaz
With a background in International Business Management, and after working as a Winemaker in Burgundy and completing an MBA in Wine Marketing and Management at the Bordeaux International Wine Institute, Celia landed in Toronto in 2019 looking forward to learning about more excellent wines and pursuing her career in the wine industry.
Celia hails from Spain's Canary Islands, where for 30 years her family have been pioneers in recuperating and resurrecting nearly extinct native grape varieties with their winery, Viñatigo. One of her goals while in Ontario: to make every Torontonian fall in love with (unpronounceable, but delicious) Canary Islands wines.
Today Celia manages our Portfolio of International Wine Producers for the Private Importation channel.
A few of her favourite sips in the portfolio: all of our volcanic wines, including her family's Viñátigo wines, Matthias Hager Grüner Veltliner Mollands, and Bodegas Puiggros Exedra Blanc.
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 management—sometimes 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 COORDINATOR
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 smoothly on the operations side.
In her spare time, you can find her taking a bike ride through the east end, enjoying time with friends and family, or hanging out with her dog, Ollie.
Some of her favourite wines in the portfolio are Matthias Hager Grüner Veltliner Mollands and Château de Parnay Chemin des Murs Saumur Blanc.
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:
Stéphane Aviron Vieilles Vignes Moulin-à-Vent, Cortonesi 'La Mannella' Brunello di Montalcino and Paddy Borthwick Riesling Wairarapa.
Retail & Consumer Sales 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 wasn’t 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 Nell’s love of all things wine, you can find her enjoying a glass with friends on her front porch – and when it’s 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.
Key Account Manager
Sarah Mifsud
Sarah has always been passionate about how food and wine can bring people of all cultures and lifestyles together. This passion led her to work 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 her 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 Toronto’s most beloved restaurants, where he developed a deep love and understanding of wine and spirits. When not selling wine you’ll 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 Cuvée Emma, Keint-He Portage Pinot Noir — 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.
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 “The Tropics of Canada”. 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.
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.
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 there’s nothing like a well-made Pinot Noir.
Some of his favourites from the portfolio include Pearce Predhomme Cinsault/Syrah, Frédéric Brouca Champs Pentus, Štekar Rebula, Matthias Hager Grüner Veltliner and Kellerei Bozen Pinot Bianco