Our Story

What happened when a Canadian Expat fell in love with an Italian Temptress...

1990

Valpolicella, Veneto

Our Founders, Len and Marisa Crispino, were living as expats in Italy when they discovered the wonders of Amarone, or 'Appassimento' wines.

The more they learned about this technique and grew to love these wines, the more excited they became at the prospect of bringing this incredible craftsmanship back with them to Ontario.

And so, they did.

2000

Niagara, Ontario

In 2000, taking a leap of faith, Len and Marisa bought 40 acres of prime farmland in the Vinemount Ridge sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula, starting their journey to becoming trailblazers of Appassimento winemaking in Canada.

They sourced quality vinifera varietals from Europe, and after three years of carefully nurturing vines, 2004 became the inaugural vintage of Foreign Affair wines.

2008

While the first vintages had many challenges with this approach, the big, bold red wines they produced as a result spoke for themselves, and so Len and Marisa persisted.

In 2008, the winery opened its doors to welcome guests and became known for crafting unforgettable experiences and extending heartfelt hospitality to all.

2017

In 2017, The Foreign Affair Winery joined forces with Corby Spirit & Wine, marking a new chapter in the winery's history.

With a shared commitment to quality and innovation, Corby was a natural choice to carry on the founders' legacy.

Now

Embracing fresh opportunities, the winery expanded its portfolio beyond appassimento, introducing whisky barrel aged wines and sparkling wines.

In 2023, the winery earned the Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario certification, reaffirming its dedication to environmental stewardship.

Today, The Foreign Affair Winery is celebrated for its diverse range of award-winning wines, from bold reds to sparkling and white wines, each meticulously crafted to showcase the best of Niagara's wine country.