In this episode, I sit down with Ben Plisky-Somers, co-founder of Bossanova Wine and Beer in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighborhood. Founded during the pandemic, Bossanova was Ontario’s first shop created specifically to retail both wine and beer.

We talk about his path into wine, the challenges of running an independent shop in Ontario, and how Bossanova builds community through a thoughtful and welcoming approach to wine and beer. We also touch on rising costs, LCBO pricing, and the team’s latest project—Bar Bossanova.

Whether you’re curious about independent wine retail or how a small business can carve out its place in Toronto’s wine scene, this episode has plenty of insight.

Ben Plisky-Somers — Opening Bossanova, Ontario’s First Wine & Beer Shop

02:13 Ben’s Journey into Wine

06:30 Learning Through WSET

09:45 Falling in Love with Sherry

12:24 Starting Bossanova Wine & Beer

17:13 Community Support in Roncesvalles

20:29 Curating Wines for the Neighborhood

27:04 Rising Costs and Fair Pricing

27:49 Building a Beer Program

29:47 Selecting Quality Wines & Beers

30:47 Natural vs. Conventional Wines

34:46 Connecting with Customers

38:25 Tariffs and LCBO Pricing

40:40 Opening Bar Bossanova

42:34 Exploring UK Wines

49:36 What’s Next for Bossanova

51:25 Final Thoughts & Farewell

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Champagne: Cork Pop and Pour by ultradust -- https://freesound.org/s/166923/ -- License: Attribution 4.0