Get a Taste of Italy on Ontario's Coast

A stone's throw away from Lake Erie, glasses clink, laughter rises and the scent of wood-fired pizza fills the air at the Paglione Estate Winery in Harrow, Ontario. Guests relax around tables on the patio shaded by blue umbrellas, drinking small-batch wine and sharing thin-crust slices fresh from the oven. Others are enjoying the sweet life, sitting in lawn chairs savoring hand-crafted gelato while sharing some laughs. It’s the kind of easy camaraderie that feels spontaneous yet intentional — exactly what Santino “Sam” Paglione hoped to create when he launched his namesake winery in 2013.

Though the setting might fool you into thinking you’ve landed in the Italian countryside, this Tuscan-style villa was born from Santino’s hands and heart along Canada’s southernmost coast. Paglione, who emigrated from Italy when he was 13, played a major role in shaping the region’s wine country as a general contractor, lending his expertise in stone masonry to construction projects like the Pelee Island Winery in Kingsgville and the historic Vin Villa restoration on Pelee Island. But having a vineyard and winery of his own was his dream — a place to bring people together over food, music and great wine.

His touch is visible in every corner of the 37-acre estate, from the piece of stone from his family’s Italian farmhouse lovingly placed in the doorway of the winery to the stone facade and warm terracotta tones reflecting his heritage and skill. Even more moving is the concertina he would play enthusiastically on the balcony above the tasting room. Today, the accordion-like musical instrument is on display inside the winery — a quiet tribute to the man who made this place come alive with music and
personality.

After Santino passed away in 2015, his widow, Nancy, struggled with operating the winery on her own. Sam’s daughter, Sandra and her partner, Robin Sheikh, made the decision to leave behind their busy lives in Toronto and relocate to the apartment above the winery to carry on the Paglione legacy.

“We didn’t want to turn it down,” Sandra recalls. “The opportunity was so great, but we knew it would have to make some changes to grow.”

Along with Nancy’s daughter, Becki Beetham, and her husband, Mike, they renovated the winery and then reopened in May 2019. Adjusting to rural life and taking over a working winery came with plenty of learning curves, but their determination kept them grounded. Sandra admits “being a farmer is very challenging. I don’t think we realized until we did this.” But over time, they’ve embraced not only the responsibilities, but also the rewards of nurturing something so meaningful. The winery has seen 35 percent growth year after year.

“What I love most is the community feel,” Sandra says. “We have so many regulars, not to mention the many guests who come to the area to sample the region’s wines.”

Their dedication is evident not only in the hospitality but in the wines themselves. Paglione’s best-selling pinot grigio is a nod to traditional Italian winemaking. The grapes are left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to develop deeper flavors and a more full-bodied character. The result is a pour with unexpected richness — crisp, yet round, and perfectly suited to the region’s sweet sunny days and fresh cuisine.

The winery’s broader portfolio spans the full spectrum of wine styles, from lively prosecco-inspired sparkling wines to dry and sweet whites, elegant rosés and reds that range from light to bold to full-bodied. The offerings reflect the Paglione philosophy: wine should be approachable, expressive and part of everyday life.

Sandra and Robin now live in nearby Kingsville, while the apartment above the winery — the one Santino once shared with Nancy — has found new life as an Airbnb rental. Known as the owner’s suite, it’s a comfortable retreat with a turret balcony that overlooks the vines, a bedroom with king-size bed, a spacious living room with a pull-out couch and two bathrooms. The space offers couples or families a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in vineyard life, just steps from the tasting room.

During open hours, the buzz of the winery carries into the suite. Through closed doors, you can still hear the joyful hum of conversation, the pop of corks and the bustle of the patio below. But when the doors shut for the evening, the atmosphere shifts entirely. As the last guests leave and the daylight slowly fades, the sounds of nature take over — deer wander through, wild turkeys rustle in the brush while the stars shine brightly overhead, unbothered by city lights. Guests often end their evening by the fire pit beside the vineyard, wrapped in blankets, sipping one last glass under the open sky. It’s the kind of peace that lingers long after the embers fade.

By day, the winery serves as a perfect home base for exploring the region. Visitors can tour other area wineries, head into Kingsville or Leamington for boutique shopping and lakeside walks, visit Point Pelee National Park or even take a ferry to Pelee Island. But many find that the winery itself is an ideal place to unwind, connect and savor life at a slower pace. Every glass of wine, every conversation and every evening carries the spirit of Santino Paglione — his passion, his craftsmanship and his belief in the simple joy of sharing time together. Thanks to Sandra and Robin, his dream lives on.