From Moldova to Niagara, a Family Legacy Rooted in Wine.
Our Story
Our family’s winemaking story begins in the fertile soil of the Republic of Moldova, a country renowned for its ancient, 5,000-year-old winemaking tradition. For generations, our grandparents and parents nurtured vineyards with care, transforming grapes into wine as an expression of family, culture, and pride.
From an early age, we were immersed in this ritual — harvesting grapes, cleaning fruit, and watching with wonder as fermentation worked its quiet magic. Even after marrying in 1988 and moving to the city of Chișinău, we returned home each fall to help with the winemaking process, preserving a tradition deeply rooted in our lives.
From Moldova to Niagara
In 2001, our journey brought us to Canada. Drawn to the Niagara region for its beauty and strong wine culture, we rediscovered a sense of home reminiscent of Moldova’s vineyards. In 2002, on the balcony of our Toronto apartment, we made our first Niagara wine — hand-crushed grapes, simple tools, and boundless pride. That humble beginning sparked a growing community of wine lovers and led to years of shared tastings and celebrations.
In 2022, we embraced a new chapter with the purchase of a century-old farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Today, Dandor Estate Winery, named after our sons Daniel and Dorin, represents the culmination of our journey — a legacy of patience, passion, and craftsmanship, rooted in heritage and shaped by Niagara terroir.
Our roots in Moldova, home to the largest and most storied wine cellars in the world, planted the seed of our dream to produce premium wines in Canada. Our story is a testament to how a simple family tradition can grow into a lifelong passion, connecting continents and generations — always with a glass raised in celebration of family, heritage, and new beginnings.
Rooted in Niagara-on-the-Lake
780 Concession 2 Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, Canada L0S 1J0
Wednesday - Sunday
11:00am - 5:00pm
905-262-8415