Joao (John) L. De Sousa is a Diamond Estates Board member, and has a long history in the Ontario wine industry.
Though he started as an investor and property owner with a background and education in jewellery arts – goldsmithing, ultimately his business was sold to a larger chain in 1993.
Mr. De Sousa also founded De Sousa Wine Cellars in 1988 and opened a full winery operation and retail store (De Sousa Wines Toronto) in downtown Toronto.
Mr. De Sousa founded De Sousa Investments in 1998 with real estate holdings in downtown Toronto, Oakville, Niagara Peninsula and the United States.
In 2008, De Sousa Wine Cellars and De Sousa Wines Toronto were both sold to Lakeview, while Mr. De Sousa retained his personal vineyards and became a shareholder of Lakeview.
Mr. De Sousa currently operates De Sousa Vineyards, a 40 acre vineyard in Niagara supplying quality fruit to Niagara wineries, along with real estate holdings, De Sousa Investment Group.
