In the spring of 2005 Michael changed career paths, moving from voice work and radio personality to become the head writer and all around Grape Guy of OntarioWineReview.com, a job he continues to love to this day.  Today, Michael provides a variety of wine related services that might be of interest to you and/or your company or organization.  He teaches classes (thru Ryerson), gives lectures, leads seminars, hosts parties for both corporate and private wine tastings, sets up tours, inventories cellars, consults, judges, gives interviews, broadcasts, podcasts and, of course, writes.  His public speaking presentations are interactive, exciting and fun.  His columns are thought provoking, heartfelt and always entertaining.

Michael’s writing has appeared in such publications as Tidings, Silver and Gold, and Grapevine … his reviews have often appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine.  He has appeared on Rogers Television as well as returning to his radio roots and appearing on Terry David Mulligan’s radio wine show “The Tasting Room”.

He is the founder and continues to run the OntarioWineReview People’s Choice Challenges (twice a year), where a different Ontario grape variety is judged by ‘the people’ to determine the best.

Most recently, Michael placed a very respectable, and very Canadian, 4th in the 2009 Tasting Challenge against 250 amateur and professional winos.

Michael’s love for wine was sparked inadvertently while looking for something to do between plays in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Over the course of some 20+ years, he has turned his passion for wine into a website devoted to the love and enjoyment of Ontario wines – and by extension, and through his many Blogs, wines of the world.

Whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.  Join Michael as he visits wineries and events all around Ontario – and attends tasting from around the world.  You’ll soon learn that Michael Pinkus is the Grapest Guy to know.

Michael invites you to contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Michael Pinkus is president of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada.

Ontario has proved to be a steadfast supplier of grape varieties used to produce quality Red and Rose Wine, sparkling whites and ice wines and dessert wines as well.  The geographical location and temperate climate of some select areas in Ontario has long been considered a major factor on why wine production and wineries are still going strong today despite the occasional problems growers in Ontario encounter like fungal diseases and harsh winters which damage the tender vines.