Our Story

Chris and Juanita Winslow in their garden

Island Wine Experts has been part of Charlottetown since 1986, the oldest home brew store in the city. Chris and Juanita Winslow took it over on September 1, 2026, after more than 20 years as its customers, buying their kits first from Nick and then from Alex.

On their first day as owners, they wrote: "We are going to remain a small, local, family run business where we know your name and you are not just 'a customer'."

Locally owned and operated since 1986.

A PhD chemist makes your wine

Chris is a PhD chemist with 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry, including fermentation work. He runs the shop full time and makes the wine.

Juanita is a veterinarian from New Haven, PEI. You will find her knitting and crochet in the Local Corner.

Chris in the shop, in front of the Winexpert Reserve boxes
A vineyard in black and white
Chris and Juanita in the garden, by the pink hydrangeas

An authorized Winexpert retailer

We carry Winexpert kits only, from four-week On the House, Classic and Island Mist to Reserve, Private Reserve, Revelation and the Limited Edition wines we take pre-orders for each fall.

Winexpert Authorized Winexpert retailer

Come in and meet us, or browse the kits.

A bottle of their Winexpert Private Reserve with two pottery goblets on the kitchen counter