Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits is a premier importer and distributor of exceptional wines, craft beers, and artisanal spirits from across the globe.
For over 25 years, we have proudly served the foodservice and hospitality industries, curating a portfolio of more than 200 distinguished offerings. Our dedication to quality is reflected in our selection, which honours both traditional winemaking and distillation methods, as well as innovative, forward-thinking products.
We embark on global journeys to discover the finest vineyards and producers, uncovering the world's best-kept secrets. Our travels have led us to top-tier producers in California, France, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and beyond.
Each wine and spirit in our collection tells a unique story—steeped in history, with an eye to the future. Our selection evokes a sense of place and time: the joy of sipping sparkling rosé in Provence, tasting Assyrtiko on Santorini's caldera, or enjoying a Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand.
While we continue to serve the industry, our products are also available regionally for home delivery, conveniently accessible through our website.
MEET THE TEAM
Steve Kriaris
President
Steve Kriaris is an entrepreneur, consultant, philanthropist, and the founder and president of KOLONAKI Group of Companies. Born and raised in Toronto to immigrant parents, he grew up with a strong connection to Greece and his European heritage.
Steve's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. KOLONAKI Group was born after a trip to his parent's homeland in his early twenties when he realized the absence of quality products from the Mediterranean in Canada. He was the first to bring natural Greek mineral water to Canada in 2000. During subsequent business trips back to Europe, it was apparent to him that Canadians were missing out on quality and delectable Mediterranean wines. He quickly expanded his company to include fine wines, beers and spirits.
Steve has spent most of the last two decades growing his company, which now consists of three divisions; Kolonaki Fine Wines, Kolonaki Fine Foods, and Kolonaki Fine Lifestyle. In addition to importing fine products, Steve enjoys creating his own. Ten years ago, he started his own wine label, Thalia, using grapes from Crete. His most recent creation is Da Capo espresso and Three Little Figs spread.
In 2012 he was recognized by The Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade with the Business Achievement Award. Steve is an example of creating a successful business by incorporating one's passions. His company is his lifestyle by masterfully combining his favorite things. Travelling to locate craft wines, beers, spirits, fine foods from the Mediterranean and beyond, and being in touch with Mother Nature through the flavors that reflect the land, sea, and the sun and telling stories of unique producers of the world.
Voula Monoholias
Head of Marketing and Communications
Voula is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of experience spanning various industries, including hospitality and aviation. A graduate with Honours in Business Marketing from Humber College, she has honed a customer-centric approach to brand communication, combining creativity and technology to build lasting relationships between brands and their audiences.
Her expertise includes copywriting, digital and social media strategy, photography, and creative content creation. Voula is passionate about crafting compelling narratives that elevate brands in the competitive world of wine, spirits, and fine food.
Fluent in English, Greek, and French, Voula is currently pursuing her DALF certificate in French, further expanding her linguistic proficiency.
When she's not creating engaging content for Kolonaki Group's premium portfolio, Voula is dreaming of securing a sponsorship for her ultimate bucket-list trip to Champagne, France.
Joy D. MacDonald
National Sales Manager, Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits
Joy's background in Hospitality management is where she acquired a love of wine. She began her career in wine sales with E & J Galllo and got her Sommelier certification with C.A.P.S in 2003. Joy hails from Canada's east coast. In 2004 she relocated to Toronto for an opportunity to help grow a new wine agency in Ontario.
Joy keeps her east coast connections strong while building solid relationships with the LCBO in Ontario. She loves to travel, visit wineries, and introduce new wines to new people in our markets.
Rita Bordin
Operations Specialist, Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits
Rita has been in the wine & spirits biz for 20+ years, with roles in administration, sales, marketing and wine portfolio management. Her thirst for learning, experiencing and taste brings much enthusiasm and passion to the team while still holding a few tricks up her sleeve. When she's not immersed in the wine-world, her interest is art of all forms. "Wine, window into a man" – Alcaeus of Mytilene.
Shakina Khan
Operations Specialist, Kolonaki Fine Foods & Fine Wines
Shakina Khan is an Operations Specialist at Kolonaki Fine Foods & Fine Wines, where she oversees logistics, shipments, and customs clearance to ensure seamless and timely deliveries. She excels in maintaining strong communication with customers and distributors while managing order processing, billing, and documentation with precision.
She holds a Pharmacy degree and a Bachelor of Arts, along with certifications in Office Administration and Skin Aesthetics, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and adaptability.
Fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and Arabic, Shakina is also learning Greek to enhance cross-cultural communication, further demonstrating her dedication to building meaningful connections.
ONTARIO
Nalini Davidson
Territory Manager, Greater Toronto Area
Nalini has been in the alcohol industry for over 25 years. She has extensive industry expertise and prides herself on her comprehensive knowledge of products from around the world. When she is not sipping on a glass of chardonnay, she can be found exploring nature by kayak or trail with her family.
QUEBEC
Philippe Gougeon
Regional Sales, Quebec
Specialized in the Canadian and Quebec wine and spirits industry, Philippe started his career at Kraft Canada. During his 12-year stint with the company, he was assigned to the business’s largest accounts as the sales director for Quebec, in charge of Loblaws and ConAgra foods.
Throughout his career, Philippe has developed a great network of business and personal contacts. Notably, he’s been able to develop a good working relationship with both the SAQ and the LCBO and is also familiar with the bidding system of both enterprises. In addition, Philippe has a significant degree of influence within the industry with an excellent reputation, with private agencies and senior executives in the public sector.
gougeon.p@videotron.ca
Jean-François Daoust
Regional Sales, Quebec
A go-getter that leads and unifies, Jean-François developed his skills while playing hockey from a very young age, all the way to his major junior league career.
Jean-François started his adventure in the world of wine and spirits in 2005 as an employee of the SAQ. His passion took him to the world of agencies in 2010 as a sales representative and quickly moved up to supervisor. In 2015, he decided to broaden his horizons by focusing on spirits and taking on a new challenge as part of the Corby-Pernod Ricard team. After developing an extensive network in the industry, armed with determination, Jean-François decided to launch his agency, Vintage & Associés. Since then, through his perseverance and professionalism, he’s been able to introduce more than 30 products into the state monopoly of the wine and spirits industry and continues to be on the lookout for new opportunities.
jeff@vintageassocies.com
Julie Lafoux
Marketing & Communications, Quebec
Passionate about communication and design and originally from the west of France, Julie graduated from the École supérieure des beaux-arts de Nantes. In 2006 she arrived in Quebec to follow a university exchange program at UQAM. While working in restoration in Montreal, Julie became interested in wine and discovered the world of wine agencies. She returned to school in 2012 to obtain her sommelier designation from the École hôtelière de Laval. She began her career at Univins et Spiritueux then Fréchette, two top 10 agencies, before launching her own Vintage & Associés in 2015. Julie is creative and organized and an entrepreneur at heart.
julie@vintageassocies.com