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“None of what we do would be possible without the best team and trust me….I’ve built the very best team.“
Warren Porter
President
None of what we do would be possible without the best team and trust me….I’ve built the very best team.

Warren Porter
President

Get to know Iron Gate.

Our team is what makes us Canada’s leader in fine wine collector services. Here’s what you can expect from us when you become one of our clients:

Get to know Iron Gate.

Our team is what makes us Canada’s leader in fine wine collector services. Here’s what you can expect from us when you become one of our clients:

Testimonials

  • Warren and his team do an outstanding job…totally professional, knowledgeable….and service oriented. We are very happy with this creative wine company and its array of wine services.‎

    Marco A. – New York, NY
  • I currently live in the US and have been storing my wine here for five years. Not only is it very reasonable from a price perspective, but the service provided is great. Pick up is easy and my wine is ready for me when I arrive.

    David P. – Etobicoke, ON
  • I have been very pleased with the service provided by Iron Gate, including the promptness of the firm in picking up wines for storage, or delivering stored wine to my home.

    Brigid H. – Etobicoke, ON
  • Faced with a difficult job involving carrying out the wishes of a dear friend who passed away, you came to the rescue with your expertise and kindness. My friend’s wishes were carried out and the recipient and myself were very happy with the packing and delivery. Service like this does not come by every day.

    Alec C. – London, England
  • Iron Gate has provided personalized and professional wine services which I have been thoroughly satisfied with. I feel my investment is being suitably cared for during my travels abroad.

    Stuart L. – Toronto, ON
  • Warren and his knowledgeable staff are invaluable resources to any oenophile who wishes to store their wine, evaluate their collection, use any of their modern wine inventory management and software systems, or need wine purchasing consultation or sommelier services. A one stop destination for virtually all of your ‘grape’ requirements.‎

    J.M. Z – St. John’s, NL
  • When I moved from my home with a large wine cellar, I needed a place to store my valuable wines while still having access. The first place I used was a total bust where service wasn’t in their mindset. Fortunately, I found Iron Gate and things have been totally different. They not only store in a proper facility but they have kept track of wines and informed me when some I had forgotten were ready to drink. The online inventory has tremendous value and is most useful. I would send anyone who asks directly to Warren knowing they are in great hands. And when I call there is a culture of good service in everyone there.‎

    Michael B. – Toronto, ON
  • I have a collection of wines that must be stored and cared for in a very particular way. There is no question that Iron Gate has the best facility in Toronto, and their inventory system is out of this world. After seeing the additional services they have planned it will take less time and effort to keep track of my cellar.

    Robert C. – Toronto, ON
  • My encounters with Warren and Iron Gate over the years have always been highly professional and a pleasure to interface with. Knowledgeable, transparent and very dedicated to their customers’ best interest, I would highly recommend their service.‎

    John R. – Toronto, ON
  • Iron Gate has done a wonderful job helping us track and inventory our wine as well as introducing wine buying opportunities. Warren has always been a pleasure to deal with and is keen to have strong long-term customer relationships.

    Rick S. – Toronto, ON
  • What a great idea! My wines are safe, I don’t have to worry about the temperature in my cellar or “unauthorized” withdrawals, or arguments about how the cellar would really make a better closet, etc. I also don’t have to remember what I have or what really needs to be drunk now – it’s all on the inventory list. And last, I just ask for whatever wine I need over the web, and it shows up at my house in a couple of days. Incredible!‎

    John P. – Toronto, ON
  • Faced with the challenge of storing wine in Toronto while living out of the country, Iron Gate came to the rescue. Inquiries were responded to promptly, and the service provided was truly exceptional. Cases of wine were retrieved from my friend’s home and placed in the cellar. Gradually getting the wine back has been very easy. I would not hesitate a second in recommending Iron Gate.

    Isadore Sharpe – Toronto, ON

Meet our team.

Warren Porter
President

Warren opened Iron Gate Cellarage in 2004 strictly as an off-site wine storage facility. After a 20 year career in technology and telecommunications, Warren decided that it was time to pursue a career in one of his two passions – wine or golf. After objectively analyzing his golf swing, it was determined that fine wine was the path to choose. He could always learn more about wine, but the golf swing was unlikely to change.

In 2007, Iron Gate Cellarage changed its name to Iron Gate – Private Wine Management (now usually referred to simply as Iron Gate), reflecting our growth as more than a storage facility. Warren has played a key role in the growth of Canada’s fine wine collecting community, creating new ways for wine lovers to engage with their passion.

Irina Omari
Director of Operations and Wine Consignment

Irina fell in love with the wine industry when working her first vintage in Bordeaux. After staying in France for another year, she then moved to New Zealand to do her Masters (writing her thesis on international wine sales), and worked for Jackson Estate Wine Company in marketing and sales. After New Zealand, Irina moved permanently to Canada where she continued her wine education with the Independent Wine Education Guild (IWEG).

She is currently working on her WSET Diploma level, and achieved 3rd place in an all Ontario wine-tasting competition in a non-professional round. Irina manages all aspects of client relations, cellar management, and private wine sales. She has vast experience managing clients needs, a deep understanding of the wine market when it comes to selling your collection, and looks forward to working with you!
Irina Omari Director of Operations and Wine Consignment

Tracie Gedra
Director of US Operations

Before starting at IronGate, Tracie worked in operations in the Analytical Chemistry Industry for 20 years. Now she handles IronGate's storage operations in the US and is behind the scenes helping with Canadian auctions. Tracie enjoys relaxing with her family and a nice glass of wine, and with all she has learned from her teammates and work, she has no problem selecting the right bottle for the occasion.

Megan McDonald
DipWSET, Senior Client Manager

After completing a Geology degree at Memorial University, and a diploma in Marine Geomatics at NSCC, Nova Scotia, Megan started with the Raymonds Restaurant Group in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It was at Raymonds where Megan quickly realized her passion for learning about wine, and sharing that knowledge with those around her. Megan completed her WSET Level 3 with Autour du Vin and her WSET Diploma with the IWEG in 2018.

In 2018, we were very fortunate that Megan agreed to join Iron Gate as your Senior Client Manager.

Stephen Ranger
Senior Advisor – Wine & Auctions

Stephen has over 35 years of experience in the fine art and fine wine auction industry, and has held leadership and ownership positions in two of Canada’s leading auction houses. In 2002, Stephen pioneered the sale of fine wine at auction in Canada by forming a partnership with the LCBO that sold over $4 million dollars annually over the course of his tenure. In 2020, Stephen founded Ranger Wine, a boutique fine wine agency specialising in award-winning small production wines from BC, Europe and the UK. Ranger Wine also provides consulting services to collectors across the country and to auction houses in Canada and the USA.

Stephen is considered Canada’s most prominent Fine Wine auctioneer and lends his expertise to numerous charitable and cultural organizations each year. Stephen is delighted to serve as Senior Advisor to Iron Gate Auctions working closely with the team and offering seasoned, thoughtful advice to our clients.

Carmen Li
Facilities Manager

Having spent most of her career in the travel industry, Carmen comes to Iron Gate without a deep knowledge of wine, but with exceptional management and organization skills. Carmen is responsible for Iron Gate’s facilities in Canada, including our two Toronto storage vaults and our Auction site in Calgary, Alberta. Carmen is responsible for the accurate movement of wine in and out of the vaults and the management of the facilities in general.

Remi Niza
Logistics Management

Remi (Rem) has worked with Iron Gate in the past as the charge behind most of our events including Decant (the largest private order wine show ever staged in Toronto), and numerous others. A natural people-person, Remi now helps clients move their wine throughout Canada and around the world.

Kaelen Jaeger
Western Operations Manager

Kaelen grew up in Calgary, AB, where he completed his Bachelor of Business MGT, followed by his MBA from the University of Illinois with a focus on Marketing and Operations. Kaelen has an extensive background in leadership and operations across various industries. When he’s not working, you’ll find Kaelen watching NFL on Sundays or walking his dogs at an off-leash dog park. Kaelen is responsible for operations in Western Canada at Iron Gate Auctions and looks forward to growing the Iron Gate presence in his community of Alberta and Western Canada.
Ajay Director of Spirits at Iron Gate

Ajay Bhardwaj
Director, Spirits

As Director of Spirits, Ajay is Canada's first certified Whisky Ambassador and Canada's first certified Scotch Professional. Ajay is the Director of North American Operations for the Whisky Ambassador Ltd from Scotland and has also co-developed the Advanced Whisky Ambassador certification. This Fall, Ajay is completing the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy.

As a specialist and thought-leader in the Canadian Fine Wine industry, Iron Gate is thrilled to bring Ajay's expertise in rare and investment-grade spirits to the table. With an established and growing interest in fine spirits collecting across the country, Ajay will be significant in sourcing new collections, providing collection consultations, and assisting our buyers and sellers achieve their goals. In addition, a part of Ajay's mandate will be to host events and lead educational tastings for collectors within our base.

Natalie Muir
Design, Technology & Development

Natalie graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in Animal Biology. After a few years in the agriculture industry, she decided marketing livestock feed wasn't her thing, and pursued her passion as a freelance graphic and web designer and developer under the name ghostshop DESIGN. Natalie now supports the Iron Gate team behind the scenes through IT support, website development & technology management.

We’re here to help you get the most out of your fine wine collection.

Megan McDonald
DipWSET
Senior Client Manager
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