Who We Are

Our Founder

Part professor, part industry pioneer, and full-time whisky enthusiast, Andrea Fujarczuk is the driving force behind the Artisan Distilling program at Niagara College. With a career that spans from the high-stakes world of Moët Hennessy in London to the copper stills of Thames Distillers, she’s now training the next generation of distillers to turn grains into liquid gold.

When she isn't leading the charge as the Canada East Chair for Canadian Whisky Week, she’s deep in her "Doctor of Distilling" era, researching the "geography of value" to prove that where a spirit is born matters just as much as how it tastes. A Bourbon Women SIP scholar with a penchant for storytelling, Andrea’s insights regularly grace the pages of American Whiskey Magazine. Whether she’s presenting at the Jim B. Beam Institute or preparing for the 2026 Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference, Andrea is on a mission to ensure the Niagara region isn't just known for its wine—but for world-class spirits that pack a punch.

For the Love of the Grain: Our Mission

Why Niagara? Why Now?

We aren’t just distillers, tasters, or enthusiasts. We are believers.

For a long time, the world looked at the Niagara Peninsula and saw "Wine Country." They saw the rows of Riesling and the frozen clusters of Icewine grapes. They weren't wrong—but they were missing half the story. We saw the gold-hued rye fields of West Lincoln. We felt the humid summers and the biting winters of the Escarpment. We smelled the potential in the air.

We started this journey because we believe that the Niagara Peninsula is destined to become one of the world’s great whisky regions.

Our Passion

Our passion isn't just for a drink; it's for a legacy. We are obsessed with the "Niagara Terroir"—the idea that the soil, the water, and the climate here create a flavor profile that is impossible to replicate in Scotland, Kentucky, or Japan.

We are the people who stay up late debating the merits of a Cabernet Franc cask finish versus a traditional charred oak. We are the ones who walk the fields with local farmers to ensure the rye is harvested at the exact moment of perfection. We do this because we want every bottle that bears a "Distilled in Niagara" label to be a point of national pride.

The Goal? Global Recognition

Our mission is simple but ambitious: To see Niagara whisky take its rightful place on the world stage.

Success for us isn't just about sales; it’s about a community. It’s about:

Elevating the Craft: Supporting local distilleries as they push the boundaries of traditional Canadian whisky.
Sustainability: Ensuring our industry supports the local farmers and protects the unique geography of the Peninsula.
The Experience: Creating a "Whisky Trail" that rivals any wine tour in the world, bringing people from across the globe to taste what we’ve built.

Join the Movement

We are a collective of makers, storytellers, and advocates. We believe that when one Niagara distillery succeeds, we all succeed. We are building a culture of quality, transparency, and relentless innovation.

Whether you are a master distiller or someone pouring their first dram of local rye, you are part of this. We are here to champion the spirit of the Bench, the grit of the farmers, and the vision of the artisans.

The future of whisky is being written right here in Niagara. We’re just getting started.

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