Aleksander (Alex) Bemben

Our ‘Father Bear’ at the winery, Alex is the founder of Aleksander Estate Winery and the man behind the name.  Born in Poland, Alex began working in the European wine industry prior to settling in the Lake Erie North Shore region where he has been involved in the wine industry for over 25 years. 

A creative and talented woodworker and metal fabricator to boot, Alex has produced many of the tanks and equipment used at Aleksander Estate Winery.  From vine to wine, and everything in between, Alex ensures the wines are a true reflection and flavour of the Lake Erie North Shore region.

Genowefa (Genny) Bemben

The woman behind the man, Genny is actively involved in the day to day operations of Aleksander Estate Winery managing the books among all other things that need done. 

Mother of Lukasz and Izabela, Genny believes the wine culture and the resulting wine that exists at Aleksander Estate Winery is shaped and strengthened by its family dynamic.

Izabela Muzzin

It is a wonderful life when you can do what you love and share it with the world. 

My name is Izabela (Bemben) Muzzin and I am a grape grower, winemaker, sommelier but wine enthusiast first and foremost.  I have grown up in the Lake Erie North Shore wine industry and have been involved with, and studying wine from a young age.  I am happy to be a part of the Aleksander Estate Winery team as we define the flavours of the people and region that we reside.

My father has worked in the wine industry as long as I can remember.

At age 12 I started working in the winery and studying wine, and though I enjoyed helping I don’t think I had imagined making a career out of it.  Some of my favourite memories of university were teaching my friends the fundamentals of wine tasting, wine appreciation and shortly thereafter I was fortunate to be a member of one of Ontario’s finest wine tasting clubs where I experienced fabulous wines among great wine enthusiasts.  As the stars aligned I had the pleasure of meeting and living among some of Niagara’s finest winemakers, and wine professionals while attending Brock University’s Cool Climate Enology & Viticulture Institute.  To complement, I studied and received my Sommelier Certification through the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS).

Today I am part of the winemaking team at Aleksander where I work alongside my family, my husband and a great team of spirited, enthusiastic people loving what we do and celebrating what I’ve termed the spirit of wine – the fundamentals of life which include the combination of family, friends, great food, great wine and music. 

Thank you to all the people whose paths I have crossed that have been supportive and inspired me and given me strength in doing what we do.

Lukasz Bemben

A machinist by trade, Lukasz grew up in the vineyard and working with wine in the Lake Erie North Shore wine region.  Today Lukasz is part of the Aleksander team and is involved with all aspects of the winery. 

Mark Muzzin

My name is Mark Muzzin and I am proud to be a part of the AEW team. I handle outside sales, and am also part of the winemaking team.  I am proud to say that I try to be a strong cheerleader for the local food and wine industry.   As a first generation Canadian, with Italian heritage, I grew up with wine being a part of daily life. My Grandfather, Amedeo Piccinini was a successful commercial winegrower in Italy, And only left for Canada with his wife Pasqualina, and my young mother after  Phylloxera took its toll on his 150 hectare vineyard in 1958.  At that time, he was nearing 60 years old, and 4 of his children were already here, so instead of replanting, which the all of Europe had to do, he traded the vines on the mountain, for the downtown city scape of Windsor’s Little Italy.  We’ve come round in a perfect circle. So I guess you can say wine runs in my blood.

My high school guidance counselor advised me that there would never be any money in the local wine industry, and that I should focus on the Tool and Die industry. Well, after 7 years in Tool and Die, here I am working in the wine industry alongside my best friend - my wife Izabela.