Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

Andrew Peller LTD

As the founder of Andrés Wines Ltd., Mr. Peller was Port Moody's first industry representative to be presented with Freedom of the City on September 10, 1982 by Mayor Petrie.

When he arrived in Canada in 1927 from a small village on the Danube in southern Hungary, he was in search of a new home and a new promise for his young family. 

At 57, an age when most people would be content to reflect on the past achievements, he pursued his goal and established Andrés Wines Ltd. in Port Moody in 1961. 

Andrew Peller is described as a man who "had a vision and that vision became reality through his energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the well being of his fellow man." 

Mr. Peller promoted the City's identity and contributed in a major way to its economy. 

Andrew Peller founder of Andrew Peller Ltd and family
Lena - Joe - Andrew Peller

It all began in 1927 when Andrew Peller first arrived in Canada from Hungary.  He landed in Halifax, leaving his wife and new born son Joe back in Hungary. He found a job at a local brewery. and soon Lena and Joe were able to join him and they settled into the comfort and familiarity of the local German-Canadian community. But Andrew was restless and wanted to embrace the Canadian culture and the opportunity that the country offered so they headed to Toronto. He quickly found work at another brewer.

Andrew opened Peller’s Brewery in Hamilton, Ontario, the first new brewery built since prohibition in Canada. Having owned a series of successful businesses, he came here to finally pursue his dream.  He envisioned a day when Canadians, like Europeans, would come to appreciate premium quality wines and enjoy sharing them with family and friends. Restless again, he sold the brewery to E.P. Taylor and moved to BC.  He bought a farm, planted some vineyards and got a license to build and operate a winery just east of Vancouver. From those early beginnings in Port Moody, B.C. in 1961, Andrés Wines was born. And, with the early success of Baby Duck, the company took off and in 1964 added wineries in Calgary, Alberta, and Truro, Nova Scotia.

Baby Canadian Champagne.

He pursued his goal and established Andrés Wines Ltd., the youngest of the large Canadian wineries in Port Moody, B.C. in 1961.  The name Andrés was chosen as the closest to Andrew Peller's baptismal name 'Andreas', but with a French flair.   In 1970 Andrés entered the Ontario market with the purchase of Beau Chatel Wines in Winona.  In 1974 Andrés moved into Quebec with the founding of Les Vins Andrés in St. Hyacinthe.  In 1975 Andrés purchased the Valley Rouge Winery located in Morris, Manitoba.  The Manitoba location closed in 1992 and in 1994 Andrés acquired Hillebrand Estates Winery, Canada's largest producer of VQA and premium wines, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Andrew's son, Dr. Joseph Peller joined Andrés in 1965 and subsequently took over as President & CEO in 1970.  In 1989, third generation John E. Peller joined the company as Vice President Sales & Market Planning.  In 1993, Dr. Joseph Peller relinquished his Presidency and in 1995, his position as CEO to his son John. Ten years later changed the name from Andrés Wines to Andrew Peller Limited to celebrate his grandfather and his timeless vision.

 PellerEstate Winery

In 2001, after more than six years in the planning, Peller Estates Winery was officially opened in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.  This new winery clearly reflected the dreams and vision of Andrew Peller and is a testament to all he achieved in his lifetime. 

2006 marked the 46 year history of the company and a corporate name change from Andrés Wines Ltd., to Andrew Peller Limited was completed in honour of the company's founder Andrew Peller.  In his announcement on the corporate name change, John Peller, President & CEO wrote "...our new name is the best embodiment of our timeless vision - it is true to who we were, who we are today, and who, as we continue to grow, we will always be."

The Company's award-winning premium and ultra-premium brands include Peller Estates, Trius, Hillebrand, Thirty Bench, Sandhill, Copper Moon, Calona Vineyards Artist Series VQA wines and Red Rooster. In 2017 they purchased three British Columbia wineries of note, Tinhorn Creek, Black Hills Estates and Gray Monk Vineyards.

Their brands includes, Roundpedal,Copper Moon, XOXO, skinnygrape, Verano and Croc Crossing. Hochtaler, Domaine D’Or, Schloss Laderheim, Royal, and Sommet. The Company imports bottled wines from around the world and markets them through Grady Wine Marketing (“GWM”), and The Small Winemakers Collection Inc. (“SWM”).

Other key brands that the company has in the value blended segment are Royal, Franciscan, Baby Canadian, Schloss Laderheim, and Baby Duck. The Company also sells value priced fortified wines, with Fine Old Sherry being the largest brand. Panama Jack, a wine based Irish cream liquor product that sells in Ontario.

 The Company's products are sold predominantly in Canada.  The company also represents a broad range of international brands through its two import divisions, Grady Wine Marketing in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and The Small Winemakers Collection in Ontario.  Andrew Peller Limited common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbols ADW.A and ADW

In 1994, Andrew Peller (90) died. His last wishes were that his ashes be scattered in Halifax harbour as that for him was where it all began, with hope.

JOHN E. PELLER, LLB
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Peller Limited

Educated at Ancaster High School, University of Western Ontario (LLB, 1980), Osgoode Hall, Toronto (Bar Admission Course, 1982), L'institute de Touraine, Tours, France (1984). Began career in 1980 with the law firm Evans, Husband in Hamilton, Ontario, practicing corporate and commercial law. Spent 1984 in France attending the L'institute de Touraine for six months and worked six months with DeLuze, the wine subsidiary of Remy Martin. In 1985, moved to New Jersey as Manager, Corporate Planning and Development with Nabisco Brands Inc. In 1987, assumed the assignment of Regional Marketing Manager for the Grocery Products Division (North East Division). Joined Andrés in 1989 and assumed responsibility of Vice President, Sales and Marketing Planning. Was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1990 and to the position of Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing in 1991; President & Chief Operating Officer in 1992 and President and Chief Executive Officer in 1994 and currently Chair and Chief Executive Officer.

John has held various positions over the years, such as CHAIRMAN – Canadian Chamber of Commerce; DIRECTOR AND VICE CHAIR - Canadian Vintners Association; DIRECTOR – Ontario Chamber of Commerce; DIRECTOR – Wine Council of Ontario; DIRECTOR - Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network; DIRECTOR & CHAIR - Niagara Wine Auction Foundation; and is currently serving as Director – RBC Life Insurance Company, RBC General Insurance Company and RBC Insurance Company of Canada; MEMBER – World Presidents’ Organization; MEMBER Business Council of Canada, MEMBER - Chief Executives Organization; and MEMBER of the Law Society of Upper Canada. John received the Citizen of the Year Award

John Peller received the Citizen of the Year Award at the Spirit of Niagara Ceremony in 2009 and also received an Honourary Bachelor of Applied Studies degree from Niagara College. He recently received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the Canadian Chamber of Commerc

Additions story

John Peller _grandson of Andrew Peller


In 1947 the Peller brewery opened on Burlington Street and tried to take on the big boys. - The Hamilton Spectator

Peller Estates, Sandhill, Trius Winery, Wayne Gretzky Estates, Red Rooster Winery, Calona Vineyards, Thirty Bench Wine Makers and Tinhorn Creek.

In Sept 2017 Andre Peller Limited purchased 3 BC wineries: Tinhorn Creek, Black Hills Estates and Gray Monk Vineyards.

Also among their companies Vineco International Products, Winexpert, and Wine Kitz divisions of Global Vintners Inc. (“GVI”) are producers of wine kits and related accessories for the home winemaking market.

The winner of the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction 2019- regarded as the highest form of peer recognition in the Canadian wine industry – is Dr. Joseph Andrew Peller and Family. Dr. Peller dedicated 30 years of his adult life to developing Canada's first truly national wine brand, helping develop the wine growing regions in British Columbia, Central and Atlantic Canada. CEO of Andrés Wines (now Andrew Peller Limited) from 1965 until 1995, he displayed exceptional leadership and was an inspiration to his employees, whom he always endeavoured to treat like family. Andrew Peller Limited grew and prospered under Dr. Peller’s dedication and leadership. “For almost 60 years, Dr. Peller and the Peller family have exemplified a strong commitment and leadership towards the pursuit of Canadian wine excellence,” said Dan Paszkowski, President and CEO of the Canadian Vintners Association. “This award is a testament to the Peller families’ sense of community, vision and dedication to growing the Canadian wine industry into a region whose exceptional quality wines can stand alongside the best in the world.” The Wine Industry Champion.

John Peller was named 2023 Entrepreneur of that Year by the Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

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