The LUCKETT Story.

An English grocer, marketer & vinter shaped a new way of understanding and enjoying food in Atlantic Canada.

Now a family-run winery & vineyard with gorgeous varieties and some of the most iconic views in Canada.

Pete Luckett, with a modest fruit and vegetable stall at the famous Nottingham’s Victoria Market, quickly learned how to stand out in the hubbub. His customers never left without knowing something new, trying something new, a full basket and a smile on their face. The first “Pete’s Frootique” was born.

Pete moved to New Brunswick, Canada in his 30's, soon after making Nova Scotia his home. With the goal of capturing the down-home personality and heritage of the Victorian Market he left, Pete started a small grocery.

Wanting to offer a community atmosphere, with new foods, new ideas, and friendly people - Pete's Frootique was soon launched, growing into multiple locations around Nova Scotia.

A New Grocery Experience.

"Now customers are as comfortable choosing a cherimoya from the Andes Mountains, or plantain from Columbia, as they are a Nova Scotia apple or PEI potato".

Pete’s Frootique & Fine Foods was where Pete turned his passion into a business, designed to delight, entice and spark the imagination of Atlantic Canadians. It was a novel grocery experience for many, with new varieties of fruit & veg, beautiful meats, cheeses, and imports from all over the world.

In 2015, Pete’s Frootique was sold to national grocer, Sobeys. In good company - John W. Sobey, another Atlantic Canadian entrepreneur, started the Sobeys brand as a meat delivery service in 1907.

For over 30 years Pete has shared this passion for exotic and international foods through local newspaper columns, national television guest spots, published books, and his own international food television series.

The Gaspereau Valley.

In 2000, Pete purchased what at that time was a 92 acre open hay field overlooking the beautiful Gaspereau Valley in Nova Scotia.

Over the following decade he spent time understanding the unique climates surrounding the powerful Bay of Fundy. He planted many and any-thing he could on the property - veg, fruits, herbs and of course, grapes.

With the development of winemaking in the region, he realized his next chapter and began looking for a winemaker to help build what is now Luckett Vineyards.

Grocers & Vinters.

The winery opened it's cellar door in 2010 and a Grocer-Turned-Vinter was re-born.

Experimenting with varietals, flavours, aging and process was in the Luckett dna. The team worked hand in hand to overcome climate challenges and develop the processes to tender crisp, flavourful whites and beautiful, textured reds - cultivated right here in Nova Scotia.

Hands On.

Over the years Pete would have most of family working for and performing tasks at the Vineyard. They loved seeing the customers enjoying moments, flavours, and the results of their hard work..

A shovel, mower, rake, sheers, note pad, telephone, wine glass - All could be seen with Pete. Many times customers would see him working on the grounds and would always be happy to give his time, wisdom and a "Toodle Dee Doo".

Nova Scotia Legacy.

"The greatest achievement was in the growth and development of the entire NS wine industry"

Using the challenging Nova Scotia climate as an asset, in the Vineyard and lands Luckett's grows L’Acadie, Osceola Muscat, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Lucie Kuhlmann, Leon Millot, Triomphe d’Alsace and Castel.

The Luckett Family sees a flourishing future for Nova Scotian wines and are so pleased to have the opportunity to play a part.

New Vintages, Same Family.

Today Pete is on to an exciting and ambitious new project across the pond in Portugal. Meanwhile his daughter Geena has taken over Management back home at the helm.

Growing up in the business, Geena has seen it all and been alongside for all the bumps, as well as all of the special moments. The future is bright & exciting - just like our wines.

The LUCKETT Wine Team

Pete Luckett

Owner & Founder

It was 2000 when Pete and his wife Sue, decided on a move to
the country. With Pete’s love for food and wine, combined with
his extensive grocery experience it was a natural next step to
plant grapes alongside the crops he was producing for his then owned grocery stores, Pete’s Frootique. When Pete identified theopportunity to develop a tourism experience, it was only a few years later before the doors to Luckett Vineyards opened on July 1, 2011.

Pete has now embarked on a new farm to table tourist destination business in the Azores opening in spring of 2023.

Geena Luckett

Owner & GM

Geena joined the family business in 2012 after a management degree at Dalhousie University and spending a year gaining work experience outside of the family business.

Stepping in as event manager and working her way throughout all departments at the winery, spending a winter working at a winery in New Zealand, WSET courses, and lots of industry involvement later and the passion was born.

In her current role as owner/GM you will find Geena has her eyes on all things Luckett Vineyards while also supporting the industry with her role as Vice Chair of the Wine Growers Nova Scotia board and seat on WGNS marketing committee.

Mike Mainguy

Winemaker

Mike came to Nova Scotia after studying and working in Niagara, and for over ten years has led the charge with our winemaking program. Mike likes to showcase the unique terroir of our region, with a simple philosophy in the cellar...wanting to produce fun and delicious wines, but deadly seriously and with no pretension. Mike loves working with blends like our Tidal Bay and Phone Box Red, but also has a fondness and steady hand with our premium line of single varietals such as Chardonnay and Riesling.

“This region has so much amazing originality to reveal. The grapes and wines here are like no other plate... it’s just wonderful,” said Mike.

Marcel Kolb

Vineyard Manager

Marcel Kolb has spent his career getting to the root (literally) of what makes our wines “world class”. Marcel started working in vineyards as a teenager in his native Switzerland where he continued with his formal viticulture and horticulture training. Marcel saw amazing potential in Nova Scotia’s growing region and emerging wine market and immigrated to Canada to seize the opportunity. In 2006, Marcel joined Luckett Vineyards and has been an integral member of the team from the very beginning. Everything starts in the vineyard and his extensive knowledge and expertise
was put to work building the foundation of our business. He has
vast viticultural experience with a deep knowledge of how things have been done and an open mind to how things will be done in the future.

Marcel is also a member of the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia, a collaborative industry group dedicated to education, training, and research to help grow the best quality grapes possible.

Doug Ross

Sales Manager

Doug is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with over 35 years’ experience in consumer-packaged goods across Canada. His wine specific experience started with a large Californian winery where he trained extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Within Canada, he has been responsible for international portfolios in Western Canada, Ontario, and Atlantic markets. Doug has been immersed in the local industry now for over six years and is proud to be a part of the Wine Grower’s of Nova Scotia marketing committee.

The LUCKETT Story.