OUR TEAM

It's not uncommon for us to hear from others how fortunate we are to have a workplace that prioritizes the well-being and fulfilment of its staff. We nod knowingly and say, "Yes, it's something special here at Malivoire,” and for that we are thankful.

MARTIN MALIVOIRE

PROPRIETOR

Martin Malivoire never planned to have a winery, yet for more than almost 25+ years now, his winery on the Beamsville Bench has become a base for innovation, creativity and sustainability – to produce wines that are uniquely and proudly Canadian. Wines that could only be grown here, in Niagara.  Wines that don’t try to be from any place else. 

As a director of motion picture special effects, Martin’s pre-winery career encompassed everything from television’s “Wayne and Shuster Comedy Hour” to such Hollywood big-screen attractions as “Resident Evil”, “A Christmas Story” and “Hairspray”. After thirty years, Martin decided the time for a change had come.

The results came rapidly with the purchase in 1995 of what is now known as the Moira Vineyard, followed by the acquisition of the larger property where the winery now stands. What started as a personal project,  became a showcase for creativity and sustainability for the Ontario wine industry.

SHIRAZ MOTTIAR

TEAM PRINCIPAL & GM

Shiraz was in the first graduating class at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). Upon graduation, he joined Malivoire Wine Company in 2000 and was promoted to Winemaker in 2005. In 2017 Shiraz was awarded Quench Magazine's Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards, and in 2021, Malivoire was recognized by WineAlign as Canadian Winery of the Year at the National Wine Awards. Shiraz currently chairs CCOVI’s Advisory Council, is a committee member of Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario, and has also been a Board member and Education committee member of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. Now the winery’s Team Principal & GM, Shiraz continues to guide the winery and industry towards a more sustainable future. Shiraz has also farmed his own vineyards since 1999.

ELISA MAZZI

WINEMAKER

Elisa Mazzi, who was hired and mentored by Shiraz, took over as Winemaker in 2023. Elisa did not come from a wine industry family, but being born in Verona, Italy, surrounded by the Valpolicella wine region, she had grown up surrounded by vineyards and wineries. After briefly considering physiotherapy as a vocation, Elisa enrolled in a Viticulture and Oenology university program in Trento. After graduating in 2010, Elisa sharpened her skills in winemaking (and in the English language) while working for various wineries such as Jackson-Triggs, and Oyster Bay in New Zealand. 

With valuable experience gained in sparkling wines, red wines and sauvignon blanc, she returned to Canada, and in 2011 Shiraz hired Elisa as cellar hand and lab technician. Her work ethic impressed him, and within five years, he had promoted her to Assistant Winemaker, with lead responsibility for sparkling wines. Elisa continues to take on ever-greater responsibilities, immersing herself in the culture and creativity that built Malivoire’s reputation, while infusing her unique perspective and passion.