The Winemaker's Gamble by Jill Troyer

Early Access! Pre-Order Now

How Canadian wine went from ridicule to recognition—and the man who helped lead the charge.

In 1962, Paul Bosc fled war-torn Algeria with a suitcase, a dog, and a passion for wine rooted in the vineyards of France. When he arrived in Canada, Niagara’s wine scene was dominated by hybrid grapes and low expectations. What followed was nothing short of revolutionary.

The Winemaker’s Gamble tells the story of how one man’s vision—to grow European vinifera grapes in a region everyone said was too cold—laid the foundation for Canada’s modern wine industry. More than a personal biography, this is a story of entrepreneurial grit, agricultural innovation, and the birth of a new global contender in premium wine production.

Bosc’s journey unfolds alongside the broader evolution of Niagara’s wine landscape, from labrusca to international acclaim. Through decades of setbacks, scientific breakthroughs, and corporate takeovers, he championed quality, resisted compromise, and mentored a new generation of vintners. His influence shaped not only the vines but also the regulatory, cultural, and marketing forces that now define Canadian wine.

Release: Nov 2025 | ISBN: 9781778168687

224 pages | 12-page photo insert | $25.95 CDN

About the Author

Jill Troyer is an award-winning journalist and wine writer, with more than 50 honours in broadcast and print journalism. She holds WSET Level 3 certification in winemaking and viticulture and lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where she writes regularly about the wine industry for The Lake Report and the St. Catharines Standard.