Niagara, Ontario

Nestled amongst the sprawling vineyards of the prestigious Four Mile Creek sub-appellation, PondView Estate Winery/Bella Terra sits on a 50 acre grape farm that has been tended to by the Puglisi family since 1974.

The family-owned winery is headed by Luciano (Lou) Puglisi who draws on grape-growing knowledge and experience that has been handed down from one generation to the next. As you sip any one of PondView's wines, you are tasting three generations of grape-growing and winemaking experience.

Lou’s enthusiasm and respect for the winemaking process, alongside his dedication and commitment to excellence, earned him the prestigious title of Grape King in 2008, awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture to the finest vineyard operator in Ontario.

PondView Estate Winery Wines 2020 wines included in monthly subscriptions

December 2020

BELLA TERRA WILD FERMENT RIESLING, 2019
BELLA TERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2016
BELLA TERRA FUMÉ BLANC, 2017
BELLA TERRA RED, 2018
BELLA TERRA BLANC DE BLANC, 2016
BELLA TERRA CABERNET FRANC, 2016

BELLA TERRA WILD FERMENT RIESLING, 2019

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 400

Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Minerally, pink grapefruit bouquet with a light floral top note.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, crisply dry, lime and grapefruit flavours with a zesty, fresh finish and great length.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Prawn and ginger soba noodle salad, black bean and mushroom enchilada casserole, golden beet carpaccio with parmesan, maple glazed salmon with sliced grapefruit, and chicken breast with beurre blanc sauce.

Buy this wine

BELLA TERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2016

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (92%) & Merlot (8%)
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500

Appearance: Deep ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, black cherry and plum bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, dark chocolate and plum flavours with grainy tannins on the finish. Rich and full on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Hold a year or two.
Critic Rating: 90 - 92 points - Tony Aspler

Awards:
Gold - 2019 All Canadian Wine Championships


Food Pairing: Aged cheddar-stuffed burgers with mixed greens, warm burrata with black truffle and berries, venison meatball sub, chicken and chorizo chili, and warm lentil salad with goat cheese.

Buy this wine

BELLA TERRA FUMÉ BLANC, 2017

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Corus Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 4.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300

Appearance: Light straw colour.
Nose: Spicy, toasty, lanolin and passionfruit on the nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, passionfruit and gooseberry flavours; beautifully balanced and very Loire in style. Elegant with a long fresh finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now through 2021.
Critic Rating: 91 points - Tony Aspler

Awards:
Bronze - 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards
Bronze - 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships


Food Pairing: Carrot salad with dates and feta, seared sea bass with cannellini bean stew, grilled chicken pesto sandwich, turkey with tarragon sauce and wild rice, and pizza topped with smoked salmon and crème-fraîche.

Buy this wine

BELLA TERRA RED, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Merlot (44.3%), Cabernet Franc (35.3%) & Cabernet Sauvignon (20.4%)
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 800

Appearance: Deep ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, black plum, cherry and dark chocolate bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, mouth-filling flavours of plum, blackcurrant and cherry; firmly structured with ripe tannins and well-integrated oak finishing on a floral note.
Quality: Very Good+. Drinking well now, but will reward cellaring for a couple of years.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Ribeye steak with garlic okra, lamb kofta with pearl couscous, red pepper and caramelized onion quiche, cornish hens with brandied cherries, and ricotta and chargrilled vegetable lasagna.

Buy this wine

BELLA TERRA BLANC DE BLANC, 2016

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 3.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300

Appearance: Straw colour. Very active mousse.
Nose: Breadcrust nose of apple, toast and white blossoms.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, lemony, green apple flavour; lively acidity with a touch of bitterness on the finish for added interest.
Quality: Very Good+. Drinking well now but will hold for 2 – 3 years.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Mascarpone and lemon pasta, pistachio-crusted scallops, crab ceviche with blueberries and popcorn, pea soup with foie gras, and roasted squash with mint and salted pumpkin seeds.

Buy this wine

BELLA TERRA CABERNET FRANC, 2016

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (85%) & Merlot (15%)
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500

Appearance: Deep ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, plum and cherry purée nose with a tobacco note.
Palate: Medium-bodied dry, well-structured flavours of plum and cherry with firm but ripe tannins on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 - 91 points - Tony Aspler

Awards:
Gold - 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships
Silver - 2020 Berlin International Wine Competition


Food Pairing: Brisket poutine, pork banh mi burger with pickled carrots, spiced chicken tortilla soup, tomato and olive stuffed portobello caps, and smashed sunchokes with thyme-butter.

Buy this wine

BELLA TERRA VIOGNIER, 2018

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Bella Terra Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250

Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale straw core.
Nose: Aromas of tropical fruit, white flowers, red apple, lemon, and pineapple.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Peach, green apple, pear, and lemon-lime zest. Hint of minerality on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points.

Food Pairing: Pork belly and kimchi stir-fry, curried chicken flatbread with pancetta, walnut-stuffed potstickers, soy-ginger grilled scallops, and braised leek and persimmon salad.

Buy this wine

Want to try great Canadian wines?

Explore Canada’s Best Wine Subscription. 

We feature unique VQA wines sourced directly from Canadian wineries. Each wine subscription is curated by our team of wine expert, offering selections you won’t find in local liquor stores.

You can pause, change, or cancel anytime!