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
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
Episode 5