For years, wine culture has often felt intimidating, exclusive, and reserved for people who already know the language. Angela Aiello is helping change that.

In a city shaped by food, culture, hospitality, and shared experiences, the Toronto-based sommelier, wine expert, event curator, and founder is making wine feel more approachable, inclusive, and connected to everyday moments.

Through immersive tastings, curated dining experiences, large-scale wine events, and education, Angela has built a career around turning what is in the glass into something more memorable. Today, she is helping lead one of the city’s major wine experiences through Wine Fest Toronto while also building her own wine label, The Juice Wine Company.

Where It All Began

Angela’s passion for wine started with the magic of people gathering around a table.

It started with the magic of the table, great food, great people, and a bottle that brought it all together.

What began as curiosity quickly became something deeper. Wine became a language that created a connection.

I realized pretty quickly this wasn’t just a passion… it was a language, a lifestyle, and something I wanted to build a career around.

That early connection to food, people, and shared moments continues to shape how Angela approaches wine today. For her, the experience is not only about what someone is drinking. It is about the setting, the story, the people in the space, and the feeling they leave with.

Building Confidence in a Male-Dominated Industry

Like many women in hospitality and wine, Angela had to learn early to own her voice in a traditionally male-dominated space confidently.

Coming up in a male-dominated industry, I had to find my voice early and own it.

That experience shaped how she approaches leadership today, building spaces rooted in inclusivity, confidence, and accessibility for people to experience the joy of wine collectively.

Changing the Way People Experience Wine

For Angela, one of the biggest misconceptions she hopes to challenge is the idea that wine is exclusive.

Wine is for everyone. It’s about enjoyment, discovery, and connection.

Angela’s philosophy of wine influences everything from her tastings and events to how she curates experiences for audiences across Toronto, including the upcoming Wine Fest Toronto this May.

Through Angela’s lens, it is about the experience, the storytelling, the setting, the pairings, the energy in the room, and how people feel something beyond what’s in the glass.

A good wine tastes delicious. A great wine tells a story, creates a memory, and makes you pause for a second and say, ‘wow.’

Toronto’s Influence and Wine Culture Evolution

Being based in Toronto continues to shape her perspective and approach to wine.

Toronto is one of the most diverse culinary cities in the world, and that inspires everything I do. It pushes me to think globally, stay curious, and constantly evolve how I present wine.

As the city’s food and drink scene continues to grow, she believes Toronto audiences are becoming increasingly curious and adventurous about wine culture.

There’s a real shift toward exploration. People want to learn, try new regions, and understand what they’re drinking; it’s less about status and more about discovery.

Favourite Toronto Spots

Well-versed in Toronto’s food and wine scene, she highlights Canoe, Bymark, Oretta, Paris Paris, Paradise Grapevine, and Grape Witches among her favourite food and wine spots in the city.

I love hanging out where there is great food and wine.

Looking Ahead

Looking toward the future, Angela sees Canadian wine culture becoming increasingly inclusive, innovative, and experience-driven.

More inclusive, more innovative, and more open-minded. We’re seeing a new generation of wine drinkers who want authenticity, sustainability, and experiences, not just labels.

Angela also recently launched her own wine label, The Juice Wine Company, which will debut its single vineyard Cabernet Franc Rosé at the LCBO this June, a milestone she describes as an exciting new chapter to share with fellow wine lovers.

Beyond wine itself, her broader mission remains rooted in accessibility and inspiration.

I want to make wine feel approachable, exciting, and part of everyday life and inspire the next generation to feel confident taking their place in this industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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As Toronto’s hospitality and culinary scene continues to evolve, creatives like Angela are helping reshape what wine culture can look and feel like: welcoming, community-driven, and deeply connected to shared experiences.

You can keep up with Angela’s work and stay updated on her latest projects via Instagram.

As part of our Toronto Creatives series, efosa continues to spotlight the people, founders, and visionaries shaping the city’s culture.