Experts
We can’t learn anything without the experts! Find out more about our experts and what you can learn from them…
Natalie MacLean
At the World Food Media Awards in Australia, Natalie MacLean was named the World's Best Drink Writer. She is the only person to have won both the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation and the M.F.K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing from Les...
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Michelle Bouffard
Michelle co-owns house wine, a consulting company offering private and corporate tastings, team building seminars, wine education, restaurant consultation and cellar management. Established in 2003, house wineadvocates wine pleasure without pretense, where...
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Michaela Morris
Michaela co-owns house wine, a consulting company offering private and corporate tastings, team building seminars, wine education, restaurant consultation and cellar management. Established in 2003, house wine advocates wine pleasure without pretense, where wine is demystified and laughs are...
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Daenna Van Mulligen
Daenna Van Mulligen is a Vancouver based wine writer and accredited sommelier. She is recognized via her alter-ego Wine Diva (WineDiva.ca) a one of a kind, tongue-in-cheek wine website geared toward her very serious passion for all things wine. WineDiva.ca will celebrate eight years in February...
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Barbara Philip MW
Barbara Philip MW was the first Western Canadian to achieve the Master of Wine designation and is the only female MW in the country. She is currently a Portfolio Manager for the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB), where she is responsible...
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Paul Watkin CSS, wine monkey
As Oscar Wilde mused about the best means of dealing with temptation (he urged one to yield to it), so wine may also be approached. Preferably in tandem with Paul Watkin’s full-blown, irreverent and highly insightful guidance that always honours and celebrates, yet demystifies the ancient...
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Keith Nicholson
Inspired after completing the Introduction to Wine Making course through UC Davis extension, and a `two-week wine tour of Australia awarded by ‘Wines of Australia’, he left the city to work harvest on the Crush Team at Laughing Stock Vineyards for the 2010 vintage to have an experience...
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Dale MacKay
Before opening ensemble in May, 2010, Canada's first Top Chef, Dale MacKay worked kitchen front lines and opened restaurants for top chefs Gordon Ramsay and Daniel Boulud. For the unassuming, overachieving MacKay, ensemble represents the culmination of his life’s work....
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Peter Lindenlaub
Prior to taking on his current role in 2010 as Canadian Division Manager for Wagner Family Wines including; Caymus Vineyards, Belle Glos Pinot Noirs, Mer Soleil Chardonnays and Conundrum White Wine, he managed a successful import agency wine company in Western Canada, responsible for importing...
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David Sanders
David Sanders considers himself to be very lucky. He can truly say that he loves his job – and his “work” is all about sharing his passion for great wine. The great thing about his work is that every day he gets the opportunity to share his passion for wine - wine properly aerated...
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Iain Philip AIWS
Iain Philip AIWS is the Senior Wine Instructor at the Art Institute of Vancouver where he teaches all levels of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) programs. In the course of a year, he will teach over 200 students ranging from consumers to importers and retail buyers. Iain has conducted...
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DJ Kearney
DJ is an enthusiastic and seasoned judge and annually evaluates wine at the Canadian Wine Awards, the International Value Wine Awards, the Okanagan Fall Festival and is Chief Judge of the Vancouver magazine International wine competition. She speaks annually at wine events including the...
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Alana Peckham
Raised in Vancouver, Alana Peckham studied at the Dubrulle International Culinary Arts institute. She worked at Feenie’s and Lumière before joining the staff at CRU, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the restaurant’s Executive Chef. Alana’s cooking style is influenced...
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Tom Firth
Tom Firth is a writer, wine consultant, judge and a member of the Wine Access National Tasting Panel. He loves to chat about all things wine and blogs for wineaccess.ca, tweets as @cowtownwine and is a general nuisance.
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Rhys Pender
Rhys is a wine educator, consultant, judge and freelance writer through his company Wine Plus+ and his website www.rhyspender.com. In 2010 Rhys became Canada’s youngest Master of Wine (MW). In 2008 Rhys was named as one of the “Top 40 Foodies Under...
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Jeremy Baker
As president, Jeremy Baker has guided every aspect of the development of Thomas George Estates, from the acquisition and development of the estate program to the revitalization of the winery, where Jeremy acted as project manager for the renovation of the winemaking facility and the building...
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Donald Patz
As national sales director, and one of four founding partners, Donald Patz has spent nearly 20 years building Patz & Hall’s reputation for quality, consistency and excellence. A dedicated and visionary individual, Donald brings a comprehensive understanding of Patz & Hall to his...
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David Fischer
• I moved from the Philadelphia area to California in June 1996 to take a job as a Regional Sales Manager for Jordan Vineyard & Winery. I became National Sales Manager in 1997, and Director of Sales & Marketing in 1999. I was there through early January 2005, a total of 8.5 years...
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