Winemaker

Simone has travelled around the world, honing her skills in the cellar as a Winemaker. Raised on a fruit farm in Ontario, Simone learned the value of hard work on the job and at home, where she is currently an avid gardener and forager. After graduating from the Winemaking and Viticulture program at Niagara College in 2011, Simone worked for both Tawse and Le Clos Jordanne in Niagara before travelling abroad. She spent many vintages chasing harvests around the world at premium international wineries such as Leeuwin Estate and Grosset in Australia, Amisfield in New Zealand, Ponzi in Oregon, and Domaine Fernard et Laurent Pillot in Burgundy. Simone spent 3.5 years in the Okanagan and the last two years reacquainting herself with cool climate viticulture at Adamo Estate Winery in the Hockley Valley before bringing her wealth of experience to Rockway Vineyards. Her wines are clean, fine wines, that have already garnered her an award at the WINEALIGN NATIONAL WINE AWARDS 2022 for her Pinot Gris: Silver Medal.