Category: Wine and Food Pairings

Discover Two Sisters Vineyards

Located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s renowned wine region,Two Sisters Vineyards exemplifies the Marotta family’s steadfast commitment to achieving excellence in both viticulture and hospitality. Established by sisters Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta, the winery embodies their shared vision of producing ultra-premium wines that honour the distinctive terroir of the Niagara River sub-appellation.

The estate encompasses over 130 acres, with cultivated varietals including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. Renowned for their dedication to sustainable farming practices, Two Sisters Vineyards have achieved recognition for its environmentally conscious approach.

At the heart of Two Sisters Vineyards lies a guiding philosophy: to craft super-premium and luxury wines through a non-interventionist approach to winemaking. By prioritizing the integrity of the fruit and the uniqueness of their property’s terroir, the winery consistently delivers exceptional, world-class wines.

Since its inception in 2014, Two Sisters Vineyards has garnered numerous accolades, including being named “Best Small Winery in Canada” by the National Wine Awards of Canada. Their 2014 Cabernet Franc, in particular, earned a prestigious platinum medal, showcasing the winery’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Melissa and Angela together have created a destination that combines exceptional wines with Italian-inspired culinary offerings at their onsite restaurant, Kitchen76.

The winery’s dedication to excellence extends to its digital presence, with an engaging website (Two Sisters Vineyards) and active social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, where they connect with wine enthusiasts worldwide. Two Sisters Vineyards stands as a beacon of innovation and tradition.

Interview With: Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta of Two Sisters Vineyards
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Liz Palmer: Which influential women in the wine industry have inspired you throughout your journey?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We are inspired by the women who work alongside us at Two Sisters Vineyards. Many of us are mothers, daughters and sisters who work tirelessly together to make an impact here at TSV while juggling the demands outside the workplace. The wine industry in Ontario has many amazing inspiring women, many who are winemakers and stakeholders/owners.

Sue Ann Staff has been integral to the landscape here for many years. Thirty Bench has a very talented winemaker, Emma Garner, as does Tawse with Jessica Otting. There are many women working behind the scenes as well as out in the vineyard and in overall management. The industry has many talented women who are truly pivotal to each wineries success. Debbie Zimmerman stands out so much as CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario.  It all starts with the farmers here in NOTL and we very much advocate for all wineries here in the region to support and buy grapes locally. Debbie has been pivotal to raising this awareness and supporting this part of the industry here. At TSV all our fruit is estate grown and when needed, depending on the year, we will first and foremost support our neighbouring grape growers.

Liz Palmer: Could you share a particularly memorable experience or achievement
in your illustrious career?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: When we won Best Canadian Winery in 2018, we knew we were doing many things right!  It was a very proud moment for our team here in Niagara on the Lake. Adam Pearce our winemaker has been producing award-winning wines for TSV since we opened our doors and to see him get that recognition from his peers and the industry was very exhilarating. In 2019 we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies by The Globe and Mail which gave us great exposure and the confidence to know we were scaling the company in the right direction.

Liz Palmer: What recent technological innovations have you and your team integrated into your winemaking process?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: In the last year we have invested in a temperature-controlled storage for our barrel fermentations. This allows for ideal conditions to ensure consistent quality. In an effort towards sustainable packaging, we have been working with a company to reduce our carbon footprint by washing and sanitizing a portion of our wine bottles to be reused for future wines. We also invested in a mechanical grape harvester so we can hone in on our picking date and time and efficiently pick our fruit at it’s ideal peak in ripeness and quality.

Liz Palmer: How do you ensure sustainability and uphold environmental responsibility in your vineyard and winery operations?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We have several key practices that uphold our commitment to environmental responsibility, from sustainable farming to major conservation initiatives. We prioritize soil health by conducting annual nutrient sampling on our vines and soils across all blocks. Our vineyards are Certified Sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario. The program makes sure it is a sustainable journey from grape to glass. When it comes to energy efficiency, we implement technologies such as the Gregoire grape harvester and mechanical leaf removal. For waste reduction, we compost all our grape pomace. Additionally, our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program collaborates with a local university to scout our vineyards and conduct trials each year, ensuring the best understanding of vineyard pests. At every stage, sustainability remains a top priority as we farm with future generations in mind.

Liz Palmer: What are your perspectives on the No and Low Alcohol Wine Revolution, and how has your wine estate adapted to this burgeoning movement?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We feel that drinking wine in moderation is the best way to achieve a well balance lifestyle.  Europeans have wine almost every day. There are also reports stating that drinking red wine is good for the heart (and soul!). Wine should not be categorized the same as hard spirits and this can get lost with those advocating for zero alcohol consumption. Wine is very much part of the enjoyment of food and is at our table for most meals. There needs to be a continued appreciation for winemaking as it is an art.  The cultivation and farming of grape from vineyards echoes the history that is deep rooted in our region and elsewhere in the world!

Liz Palmer: How do you and your team stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the wine industry?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We focus on quality and don’t necessarily follow all the trends. If there are advancements that we are made aware of we will get informed however we are not large producers and as a result, we lean towards a more traditional way of winemaking that values high quality barrels for longer aging.  We don’t want to mess up a good thing and to date focus on farming, hand tending to each vine, dropping fruit for lower yields and a talented winemaking team is what has made us successful and garnered our wines many accolades domestically and internationally.

Liz Palmer: What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter the
wine industry?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: Focus on quality not quantity. Consumers who appreciate wine will respect anyone who is passionately focused on producing high quality premium wine. Also, don’t focus on growing and scaling too quickly. Make the effort to know the economics of the industry as it can be very risk oriented. Create a demand for your wine and focus always on producing the best that you can.

Wine Reviews: Two Sisters Blanc de Franc Sparkling 2020 +
Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2018

Two Sisters Blanc de Franc Sparkling 2020

Crafted in the Traditional Method from 100% Cabernet Franc, this sparkling wine stands as a hallmark of Two Sisters’ esteemed repertoire.
Displaying a luminous light lemon hue, this sparkling wine exhibits a persistent and vigorous effervescence. Aromatically, it unfolds with layers of elegance, showcasing fresh red berries interwoven with nuanced herbal undertones, vibrant lemon zest, and the refined allure of brioche.

On the palate, this sparkling wine is a symphony of freshness and complexity. The lively, creamy mousse provides a seamless foundation for flavours of crisp apple, red berry medley, with a delicate touch of lemon. Subtle brioche accents and a whisper of toast contribute to the wine’s creamy depth and complexity. Elevated by a bright, well-integrated acidity, it delivers a finely tuned structure that culminates in a medium-length, polished finish. This is a compelling and articulate expression of Cabernet Franc in sparkling form, offering sophistication and balance in every sip.
92 points
Liz Palmer

Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2018

The Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2018, a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot (48%), Cabernet Franc (24%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (28%), captures the essence of Niagara’s terroir.

This wine visually presents itself with a medium-intensity garnet hue. On the nose, it offers a sophisticated bouquet of cassis, black cherry, and ripe plum, interwoven with subtle dried herbs, anise, along with hints of cinnamon and clove from its oak maturation. These inviting aromas are complemented by delicate hints of wood char and dark chocolate.

The palate reveals a medium body, with rich and ripe flavours of black fruit, plums, and hints of black pepper. The velvet tannins provide structure, while vibrant acidity ensures freshness and balance. Layers of black cherries and nuanced dark fruit persist through to the finish, which is long, polished, and refined, leaving traces of spice and earthy undertones.

A standout in the Two Sisters portfolio, it exemplifies the finesse and depth of Niagara’s viticultural promise.
91 points
Liz Palmer