Malivoire Wine

About Malivoire Wine

Since planting its first vineyard in 1996, Malivoire has pioneered an innovative, eco-centric approach to wine growing.

Intent study of the soil and climate of the Niagara Peninsula’s Beamsville Bench inspired the planting of carefully selected cool-climate grape varieties. Optimizing the topography of the Bench, Malivoire became the first in Niagara to guide wine from grape to bottle with gravity. Gentle, minimal handling is a signature concept in Malivoire’s quest for elegance and complexity in its wines. The hillside winery, situated in the middle of a sustainably farmed vineyard, adds natural drama. Elegant and authentic cool-climate Chardonnay has been a focus for Malivoire since its inception. The single vineyard Moira Chardonnay has been regularly cited as one of Canada’s top wines with a proven ability to age. Malivoire’s Mottiar vineyard Chardonnay has drawn similar accolades and offers a distinct terroir counterpoint to the Moira vineyard. Malivoire’s current annual production is 25,000 cases.

Representative Biography

Elisa Mazzi, Winemaker

Elisa Mazzi was already deeply immersed in Malivoire tradition by the time she took the reins as Winemaker, in 2023. Hired by then-Winemaker Shiraz Mottiar, she had, by an early age, assembled an impressive career background.
Elisa’s hometown is Verona, where the ancient wine culture of Italy’s surrounding Valpolicella region beckoned her to join. From Trento, she graduated in 2010 with a university degree in Oenology and Viticulture, following which, like many who are young in the industry, she sought to build her resume by seeking opportunities abroad. This led to seasonal winery employment in New Zealand and later, Canada.
It was here that she came to the attention of Malivoire Winemaker Shiraz Mottiar, who in 2011 recruited Elisa as a part-time lab technician and cellar hand. The role was seasonal, but Shiraz, impressed by her proficiency, invited Elisa to remain full-time, an offer she accepted. Within five years, Elisa had become Shiraz’s Assistant, with special authority over Malivoire’s production of sparkling wines, a category Elisa was experienced in by virtue of her training in Italy.
In 2023, on his promotion to senior management at Malivoire, Shiraz’s first decision named Elisa to succeed him as Winemaker. Having admired the vintages made under her care, Shiraz says they carry the mark of someone specially gifted: “Elisa’s palate can taste what others can’t. That, and her inner drive to reveal those esoteric qualities in perfect harmony, is her winemaking superpower.”

Why We're Cool

Martin Malivoire was a believer in the cool climate style of wine from the beginnings of his winery in 1996. Informed by thorough study of the Niagara Peninsula’s Beamsville Bench, Martin identified and planted chardonnay and other cool-climate varieties that demonstrated the highest suitability to his vineyards’ soils and microclimates.

The winery was built to enable gravity flow as a production tool. This reflected Martin’s conviction that gentle, minimal handling in the cellar engenders wines that speak most vividly of their origins. In his mind, and the mind of our Winemaker, the traits of cool climate chardonnays are vibrant fruitiness, clarity and minerality, with stylistic elegance, complexity and balance.