The Winemaker's Gamble How One Man and a Handful of Rebels Turned Niagara Wine into a Global Industry

“ A beautifully written biography of an unsung hero.” — TONY ASPLER In 1962, Paul Bosc fled war-torn Algeria with a suitcase, a dog, and a passion for wine rooted in France’ s vineyards. When he arrived in Canada, Niagara’ s wine industry was dominated by hybrid grapes and low expectations. The Winemaker’ s Gamble tells the story of how Bosc’ s vision, to grow European vinifera grapes in a region considered too cold, sparked a transformation that elevated Canadian wine to international acclaim. Blending biography, business case study, and regional history, this book offers readers an inside look at agricultural innovation, entrepreneurial grit, and the regulatory and cultural shifts that built a new global contender in premium wine. Rich with industry insights and historical detail, it appeals to wine enthusiasts, hospitality professionals, and readers of Canadian history alike.

Jill Troyer lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake where she is immersed in her twin passions of writing and wine. She has won more than 50 awards for her journalism, both in broadcast and print. Jill has completed WSET3, an advanced, internationally respected Wine Education program, and she writes about the Niagara wine industry for The Lake Report.