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Awards and Accolades

Pillitteri Estates Winery has won over 800 wine awards from both local and international competitions.  Many of our most prestigious awards are on display in our gallery at the entrance to the winery. In addition to wine awards the winery has received high praise from wine writers the world over. We are extremely proud of all the recognition we receive as it is a testament to our winemaking philosophy and our vision for the continued growth of the Ontario wine industry.

In addition to wine awards we have received industry and government recognition which we are equally proud of.

2022 Gary Pillitteri Award of Distinction from Wine Growers of Canada

The Award of Distinction is the preeminent award for the Canadian wine industry and regarded as the highest form of peer recognition and appreciation. The award is presented to an individual or family, current or past (owner, manager, employee) of a Canadian winery that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the advancement of the Canadian wine industry. “For decades, Gary Pillitteri has been known for his work ethic and initiative, with a strong sense of family, giving back to his community, and an unwavering commitment towards the pursuit of Canadian wine excellence,” remarked WGC President and CEO, Dan Paszkowski. “This award is a testament to Gary’s vision of building a world class winery and a true family business, with a devotion to growing the Canadian wine industry and producing wines that are sold around the world.”

Jamie Slingerland Grape King
Jamie Slingerland Grape King

Jamie Slingerland Selected as 2015-16 Grape King

The Title of Grape King is given to the “Grape-Grower of the Year” each year, upon inspection of their vineyards and their commitment to the Ontario grape and wine industry. The finalists for Grape King are selected on specific merits including: knowledge of vineyard management, experience in the grape industry, quality of vineyard, health of vineyard. The King is then selected by a panel of judges who inspect all elements of the vineyard. The panel consists of viticulture experts from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, the Grape Growers of Ontario and a Grape Grower of the Year Advisory Committee. The Grape King becomes an ambassador to the grape and wine industry and speaks at social and political functions throughout Canada supporting the industry.

2013 Ontario Food Exporter of the Year

The Ontario Food Exporter Award recognizes an exporter’s successful expansion into new export markets, and their commitment to long-term export growth. The Award reflects the importance of exporting to Ontario’s agri-food industry: A strong industry creates new jobs, new investment, and fosters economic growth in communities across the province. Ontario is Canada’s leader in food production and, as such, the Ontario Food Exporter Award recognizes outstanding exporters who contribute to that success.

Pillitteri Estates Winery won the Ontario Food Exporter of the Year Award in 2013. The award was presented by the premier of Ontario Kathleen Whynne, who called Pillitteri Estates Winery “an industry leader”. It recognizes the winery’s role in Ontario’s food industry and economy.

Ontario Food Exporter of the Year
Award for Agra Food Excellence

2011 Premier’s Award for Agra-Food Excellence

In 2011 Pillitteri received recognition from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs for their development of the Verona Appassimento Project. A project dedicated to grape and wine research, building towards the commercialization of Appassimento style wines. This project laid the foundation of our prestigious Riserva Famiglia series of wines but also developed techniques that many wineries now use for Appassimento styles of wines. In addition this project brought in the first ever plantings of Verona grape varietals to Canada.

Pillitteri is proud the Ontario government recognized this innovative research project with the award. We will continue to be an innovative winery and strive to be an industry leader in winemaking and grape growing.

Most Current Awards

Below is a list of the some of our recent wine awards from around the world.

2015 Intervin, Canada
Top 5 Wineries of the Year

2015 Citadelles du Vin, France
Special Canada Prize and Gold – 2013 Reserve Vidal Icewine

2015 Decanter, UK
Gold – 2013 Reserve Riesling Icewine

2015 Ontario Wine Awards, Canada
Red Wine of the Year and Gold – 2010 Riserva Famiglia Cabernet Franc

2014 Decanter, United Kingdom
Regional Trophy and Gold (Canada, Sweet Under £15) – 2012 Vidal Reserve Icewine

2013 Ontario Wine Awards, Canada
Red Wine of the Year and Gold – 2010 Exclamation Cabernet Franc

2015 China Wine and Spirits Awards
Icewine of the Year and Double Gold – 2013 Glacial Queen Vidal Icewine

2015 Japan Wine Challenge
Best Dessert Wine and Best Canadian Wine Trophies – 2013 Vita Vidal Icewine

2015 Citadelles du Vin, France
Gold – 2012 Exclamation Cellar Series Reserve Cabernet Franc

2015 Korea Wine Challenge
Best Sweet Wine Trophy – 2012 Reserve Riesling Icewine

2014 Korea Wine Challenge
Best Sweet Wine Trophy – 2011 Reserve Vidal Icewine

2014 Citadelles du Vin, France
Gold – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine