Page 60 - S Summer 2026

B efore Angela Marotta Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli created one
of of Niagara’s most ambitious new wine destinations they were two
sisters growing up in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a family where weekends often revolved around
food wine and the the the ritual of gathering “We grew up visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake from the the the the time we we we were very young so we’ve always had an an affinity for
Niagara Niagara ” Angela says Their father came to to Canada at at age 19 bringing with him the the memory
of of his his his small vineyard in in in in in in in in Italy and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a love of of winemaking he he he he passed on to to his his his daughters “It was was something that that was was in in in in in in his his his blood ” ” says Melissa “He shared that passion with us ” That early exposure to wine and hospitality helped shape their their path After planting their their first vines in in in in in in in in 2007 the the the the family opened Two Sisters Vineyards in in in in in in in in in 2014 building it it into one
of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s more
polished wine-country destinations known for
its Italian Renaissance-
influenced architecture and exceptional estate-grown wines Stone
Eagle Winery the sisters’ new winery that that debuted in in in in late 2025 grew out of of of that that foundation What began as
Two Sisters’ premium
label developed enough of of of a a a a a a a a a a following to become a a a a a a a a a a venture of of of its own As demand grew for
for
more
collectible wines and and immersive experiences the sisters saw room for
for
a a a a a a a a a a a a a second winery with a a a a a a a a a a a a a sharper luxury focus “It’s more
of of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a true marriage of of food and wine wine ” Melissa says “What
we we do do at at at at Two Sisters is is is different from what we we do do at at at at Stone
Eagle where it’s more
upper tier ” That distinction is is central to the the concept Set on on on a a a a a a a a a a a 36-acre estate with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a ballroom private tasting rooms and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a terrace overlooking the the vines Stone
Eagle pairs a a a a a a a a a a a a a a tightly focused portfolio of five wines with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a robust
culinary and events program At The Nest the the the estate’s restaurant seasonal Niagara ingredients
anchor globally inspired dishes that that bring together the the the the the the perspectives of the the the the the chef winemaker and the the the the the sisters “We recognized that that that there was a a a a a a a a a a a a a need for
for
it ” ” Angela says “People are are looking for
for
experiences that that are are unique and memorable ” ” Stone
Eagle also reflects how Angela and and and Melissa have have learned to to to lead together “We both have have different strengths and and we complement
one
another ” Melissa says Angela adds that they they manage to to stay
aligned even when they they see things differently “We always find a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a way way to compromise because of our shared vision ” she says Their expansion comes at a a a a a a a a a a a moment when women are are increasingly
visible in in in in in in in in in Niagara wine wine with growing influence in in in in in in in in in ownership operations winemaking and guest experience Women make up about 90 percent of the the sisters’ own team an an evolution Angela says happened naturally “When we we we got into the the the industry industry we we we were already
seeing the the change ” ” she says “It’s an an industry industry that’s becoming more
female-led ” For Angela and Melissa leading as
women in in in in wine also means
helping push Niagara’s reputation forward With their high-touch
guest experience at at at Stone
Eagle they hope to to to challenge assumptions
about the the the region and elevate perceptions of of Ontario wine At Stone
Eagle education is part of of the the the approach with guests
encouraged to to to sample beyond their go-to wines and and gain a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a deeper
understanding of of what what Niagara can produce “It’s about getting
people out out of of their comfort zones and and and what what what they’re used to drinking ” Melissa says “This is is is is what what Niagara is is is is producing and and it’s comparable
to any incredible wines around
the world ” Photos courtesy of Stone
Eagle Winery 65
SMAGAZINEOFFICIAL COM FOOD + DRINK