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 !
Marketing Manager & Sommelier
Taryn Zaharchuk
Taryn has had a love affair with wine for as long as she can remember. Realizing quickly that this love affair could turn into a career, she completed the ISG Sommelier Diploma program (alongside fellow NP team member Michelle Ratzlaff). Her sommelier career began at some of the city’s most prestigious private clubs, The York Club and Rosedale Golf Club. During this time, she also received the sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and hopes to continue down that path to one day becoming a Master Sommelier.
A few of her favourites: Cortonesi La Mannella Rosso di Montalcino, Pearce Predhomme Pinot Noir
Business Manager
Ryan Zanette
Ryan grew up in Florida in a family of Canadian entrepreneurs before moving back to Ontario to pursue a career in the wine industry.
After graduating from the Viticulture and Wine program at Niagara College, he went to Europe to complete a vintage working at various establishments in England and the Mosel. After returning in 2016, Ryan worked for the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario, where he contributed to the many successes of the VQA Wines of Ontario and Wine Country Ontario brands. Ryan was recently named one of Kostuch Media's top 30-under-30 hospitality professionals in the province of Ontario.
A few of Ryan's favourite wines from the portfolio are Tornatore Etna Bianco, First Contact Skin Fermented, Mas Codina Cava and anything Vegan.
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!
Project Manager
Celia Méndez
After completing her MBA in Wine Marketing and Management at the Bordeaux International Wine Institute, Celia landed in chilly Toronto looking forward to learning about (and drinking) more excellent wines. 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. She is also a "harvest warrior," having worked in Burgundy with a small producer. One of her goals while in Ontario: to make every Torontonian fall in love with (unpronounceable, but delicious) Canary Islands DOP wines.
A few of her favourite sips in the portfolio: all of our volcanic wines, including her family's Viñátigo wines (of course), Cantine Barbera Lu Cori Nero d'Avola, Roche de Bellene Pinot Noir and many more!
Sales Representative
John Kent
John has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, including managing and curating the wine programs at some of the most popular and innovative restaurants around K-W, and was recruited into wine sales more than 10 years ago, where his passion and knowledge have continued to grow. When he's not chatting up sommeliers around town, John loves spending time with and taking care of his family.
A few of John's portfolio favourites include:
Mauperthuis Chablis, Pearce Predhomme Pinot Noir, Cortonesi Leonus di Montalcino, Domaine Baud Crémant de Jura.