Russ Disotell, born in Cornwall, Ontario, in 1952, has lived in various locations across Ontario. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Toronto.

Prior to entering the field of freelance writing he had a long career in the retail wine trade, where he earned certification for his wine knowledge from the Independent Wine Education Guild based in Great Britain. As well as being a wine enthusiast he is a "passionate" curler, cross-country skier and golfer.