What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? I obviously don't spend a lot of time in Vancouver and I still have a lot to discover about the city. If I had to spend a nice summer night there right now, I would be searching for some entertainment that I usually do not find in Whistler. I'd be searching for a music event or a festival somewhere in a park or an outdoor area. Then I would head to a good restaurant, like l'Abattoir, perhaps, that I still haven't got the occasion to try. I would love to finish the evening in a bar where I could enjoy live music while I sip some delicious cocktails.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?  So many things can be related to wine. The more you get to know about it, the more you understand that you are just touching the tip of the iceberg. This is one thing that really inspires me; you never stop learning. Wine makes you want to push your knowledge further and share your experiences with people. Another thing that I find really amazing about it is that you get to meet passionate people who are fully committed to their land & art, cherish it and live in symbiosis with it.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Tough question. It would be hard to narrow it down to only one, but I would definitely want to learn more about biodynamics, get to understand it better and to apply its principles. Josmeyer, in Alsace, would be one of my picks. The two Meyer sisters, Céline and Isabelle, are crafting wines that are absolutely beautiful. Their wines speak by themself of the emotional connection the sisters have with them and their vineyards. Stephane & Bénédicte Tissot would be another tough pick, they also work with strong biodynamic principles in their vineyards. Jura has always been my first love in wine. I dream of experimenting with the blending of Vin Jaune and attending the ''percée du vin jaune'' once in my life. 

Next wine region on your radar to visit? Sicily, Italy, mostly the Etna region

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be? Jean-Louis Chave, the Ermite himself. I would love to hear the stories about the hill of Hermitage and its vineyards, and learn everything possible about Syrah.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Please, let me know if it does exist and I wasn't aware of it! Some stuff I miss the most from Eastern Canada: Fine cheeses shops !!! I want to get my hands on fine French and Québec cheeses. Reblochon & Louis d'Or please !

Bottle and snack always in your fridge/pantry? Sparkling wine and cheeses (the good stuff!)

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? I’m a big fan of the multi venue bop around to see what people are pouring and doing. Glass (or two) here, an amaro there, a bite here, more bites there. I like asking for a glass of whatever someone is most excited about and making as few decisions as possible.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? Learning from the wealth of knowledge that is Christina Hartigan this past year has been so valuable. Her dedication not only to the pursuit of education but also her passion for sharing it with others is admirable and so appreciated. She’s an incredible taster, and is the most down to earth accomplished person in wine I’ve ever met.  

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Tantalus. I had the pleasure of visiting a few weekends ago, learned lots and had way too much fun. There's so much care, passion and honesty in the vineyard and in the cellar between Felix Egerer and Dave Paterson. 

Next wine region on your radar to visit? Jura. Intriguing, commanding whites, cool flirtatious reds and the fact that Savagnin and Vin Jaune exist. Points for convenient proximity to Burgundy.

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be? Arianna Occhipinti without a doubt so that I could run away to Sicily and potentially never come back. I love her conviction that the earth is a gift that we must honour, and her wines have so much personality and vibrancy!  

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Excitement, soul, and zero BS. I fell head over heels in love with New Orleans when I went for a multitude of reasons but mostly because of people's honest ownership of beverage and service without any pretentious attitudes whatsoever and thriving nightlife. 

Bottle and snack always in your fridge/pantry? Potato chips (not necessarily the good stuff…often Lay’s classic) and super ripe Pinot Gris or an opulent Chardonnay (the good stuff). 

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? This question can only be answered seasonally!

In the summertime, heading down to Sunset Beach with some friends, snacks, beverages and a crib board to spend a lazy evening enjoying the sun. (if we ever get some summer weather this year…)

Fall & winter would be a cozy dinner at any of the great pasta restaurants our city has to offer -  Oca Pastificio, Ask for Luigi, Savio Volpe, followed by cocktails or a glass or two of wine.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? The extent of what I don’t know consistently inspires me to seek out and learn more every day. There is so much more than simply the wine itself, the people and the stories behind it are even more interesting. Wine has such a rich and storied history covering so many facets of life. Knowing that I have the privilege to study and research every day is so motivating to me. I’ll never be done learning and the fact I get to be immersed in this interesting world is just one of the best things ever!

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? I would love to spend a year at Maison Olivier LaFlaive - to understand all of the intricacies and traditions of White Burgundy winemaking. Also to spend some quality time in tiny French villages. 

Next wine region on your radar to visit? Too many to list! I haven’t had the chance to travel to the southern hemisphere yet and Central Otago and Tasmania both hold a lot of interest and appeal for me. But if I had to pick just one to visit next it would be Jerez. I went to Andalucia years ago before I got into the wine world and absolutely loved it. It would be amazing to go back with a focus on the wines and culture of the region, not to mention the tasty, tasty food. 

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be? I would love to have the chance to go back in time and chat with Stanko Radikon and Josko Gravner about the revolution they caused in the wine world, and about their process behind it all.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Spontaneity in the dining culture here. I always find some of the most memorable moments of life (or just a good night out) are the unplanned ones, meeting friends old and new in a variety of settings and seeing where the evening takes you. Vancouver tends to be, at least in my eyes, a very structured city that requires planning in order to have fun sometimes. I find myself wishing we had a bit more of an impromptu attitude towards dining.

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve been recently anointed the Sultan of Sundays. It’s really the only chance to see my dear friends. My lovely 9to5ers. My daywalkers.  

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve been recently anointed the Sultan of Sundays. It’s really the only chance to see my dear friends. My lovely 9to5ers. My daywalkers.  

So my ideal night off in Vancouver starts early at a local lake where my talented butcher friends (trust me, buy @snackishsausages) bring their Charcoal BBQ and an aggressive amount of sausages to rival my burgeoning bag of bottles. I lure my friends into what seems like a day activity which inevitably ends late at night at one of our favourite Mount Pleasant Breweries. 

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? All the individuals that have found their calling and pursue it to no end. Just a few of these individuals that come to mind;

• Dylan Grigg - planting vineyards for the future, why the world needs more old vines (also a great follow if you like viticulture @gdylla).

• Nick Jackson MW - looking for structure and nuance before flavour when blind tasting 

• Joan Cusine of @Paresbalta - leading his family's winery in the contemporary market with grace, humidity, and very tasty tasty wines.

• And oh so many more.  

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Bodegas El Maestro - how I long to spend a year making, sipping, and blending sherries from a range of Soleras, and how badass would it be to get good at the Venenciador.

Next wine region on your radar to visit? I would love to go to the places that I drink often and have never visited - Loire Valley, Mosel, Galicia. However, I believe our perceptions of wines are skewed to our local market availability so I try to go to places I don’t drink often. I want to understand Australia, Chile, and Argentina, for more than their most well known styles and varieties.

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be?  I usually have lots of questions, and I think if I said across the table from Raj Parr, the questions would never stop. So much to talk about - wine programs & service, winemaking & consulting, writing, the list goes on!

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Street Food Culture. I’m talking about markets that are a welcome assault on all your senses. Open flames catch your eye, the smell of warm spices and charred meats wafting, and yelling, lots of yelling.  

Guilty pleasure wine? Not to cop out here, but I vehemently believe there is no such thing. Everything tastes good to someone. Drink what you want when you want it! Leave the guilt for the guilty. 

April 2022

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? With Summer ahead of us, my ideal night off in Vancouver would start with pick-up basketball in Stanley Park followed by a quick dip at Third Beach.  Then, I’d squeeze in a Guinness at Shamrock Alley and head to a local restaurant or bar to see some friends.  

Option 1 - Cómo Taperia > Brassneck Brewery > AJ’s > Bar Susu > Pho Extreme Xe Lua.  

Option 2 - L’Abbatoir > Juice Bar > Kissa Tanto > Keefer Bar > James on Hastings.

That being said, in the rainy winter months, the best night off is spent at Marutama Ramen, or Dinesty Dumpling House, followed by drinks at the Bayside Lounge or catching a show at the Rio Theater.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? My biggest inspiration in wine is its connection to nature and time.  No other beverage in this world can intrinsically represent a specific place and time like wine can.  I also find it fascinating when winemakers and viticulturists take a holistic approach to production, recognizing their place in the cosmos and their relationship to not only the farm, but the ecosystem around them. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? This is a difficult question because they easy answer is something like Champagne Krug, Château d’Yquem or Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.  But realistically, If I were to work at any winery for one year, it would probably be at Hiyu Wine Farm in Hood River, Oregon.  Co-Founder Nate Ready calls his style of vineyard management “the wild side of permaculture”.  Influenced by Leroy, Humbrecht, Joly, Deiss and Fukuoka, Nate developed a hands-off farming system inspired by biodynamic, regenerative agricultural practices.  Their wines are foot trodden, slowly fermented with indigenous yeasts, bottled by hand, gravity fed, unfined, unfiltered, and bottled with 5ppm of S02.  

Nate is a former Master Sommelier who did his time on the floor at restaurants like Frasca in Boulder Colorado, as well as Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville California.  I assume that Nate’s values align very similarly with mine and as a former Sommelier, I know I could learn from him in a way that I’d be able to comprehend.  Also, their wines are delicious!

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be?  Lalou Bize-Leroy : the Queen of Burgundy

Guilty pleasure wine?  Kokanee.  

Next wine region on your radar to visit? South Africa.  Specifically Swartland, Walker Bay and Stellenbosch

Bottle and snack always in your fridge/pantry? Antica Formula and my Mom’s shortbread cookies.

Biggest epiphany during these trying times?  Community is everything.  Throughout the pandemic I witnessed so many people hang up the skates and go into other fields of employment.  I’d be lying if I said the thought didn’t cross my mind, being labeled “unessential” hits pretty hard.  But it’s our community that has always kept me here, kept me focused and supported me since day one.  

Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic (fingers crossed), It has been so amazing to see bars, restaurants, and music venues reopen.  I believe people truly missed hospitality and i’m excited to believe that the best is yet to come.

February 2022

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? Ana and I having some friends over to our home, cooking a nice dinner and opening some delicious wines.  Or drinking MGD and playing foosball with those same friends at Hero’s Welcome or The American.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? My friends Sean Nelson and Bryant Mao for following their passions and starting their own wine related businesses.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be?  JoieFarm so I could spend a year working with Alistair Veen.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? I know we’ve made some headway on this in the last few years, but I’d like to see alcohol consumption in public spaces become legal everywhere.  Travelling through Europe you can take a picnic lunch with a bottle of wine to a public park with no issues and I’d like to see more of that for our fantastic city.

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be?   Alan Dickenson at Synchromesh Wines because we are buddies and we don’t hang out enough.

Guilty pleasure wine? 3L box of Le Vielle Ferme Ventoux Rose.  I dare you to find me a better value wine.

Next wine region on your radar to visit?   In a perfect world, Madeira.  In reality, the Okanagan Valley.

Bottle and snack always in your fridge/pantry? Potato chips, cheap beer, bourbon, red and white Burgundy.

Biggest epiphany during these trying times?  “In a heart full of gratitude, there is no room for discontentment.” - Rachel Cruze

I've learned to smile more often, be more kind, more generous and not to sweat the small stuff.  I think we’ve all learned things could be much, much worse.

January 2022

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? Chasing the next Negroni before eventually needing a bowl of pasta to carry on ... and carry on.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? It's been watching my local colleagues in the industry kick ass and grow Vancouver's presence on the global wine scene. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Vega Sicilia - the Cooperage!! 

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Street parties like the pink street in Lisbon and the alley parties in Logroño (Calle Laurel)

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be?  The lads from Commando G, Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia

Guilty pleasure wine? 'When in Rome' 3L boxed Barbera (it's DOC!)

Next wine region on your radar to visit?   Sicily for sure.

Bottle and snack always in your fridge/pantry?  Lambrusco and Mortadella.

Biggest epiphany during these trying times?  Perseverance is the strongest currency. You'll never have too much.

November 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? This is obviously a seasonal answer, as I would have a very different response in July! But, for a chilly night off in November, I’d cozy up to some tapas at ¿CoMo?, or try my luck for a seat at Oca Pastificio for their insanely delicious set menu. I’d follow that up with an amateur comedy show like Jokes Please! [closing soon] or Havana Moon. A quick stop by Juice Bar or Tocador might be necessary for a nightcap after. 

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? The people who make wine! It’s such a labour of love. As my list at Anh and Chi focuses on low intervention wines from BC -and these wines usually come from smaller producers - I get the opportunity to communicate directly with a few owners/winemakers. I’m honestly so, so humbled by their hard work, the decisions they have to make and the challenges they face as they put their whole heart into bringing a typicity and an expression to the terroir of the Okanagan Valley. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? A whole year, hey? I’d have to say Occhipinti on the Island of Sicily. It’s a small biodynamic winery I read about once in the New York Times and then found a bottle of at Marquis Wine Cellar. Just being in the area I would expect I would be surrounded by a wonderland of obscure Italian varietals and producers who have been making wine since, like, forever. The food and weather wouldn’t be too bad either. 

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver?  I found this question to be one of the hardest. There is so much that goes into the culture of a city and how the populace got to that point, and I wouldn’t want to change any of that. I just want MORE. More cafe culture, more pop-ups, more support for the arts, more open mics, more nightlife, more street art, more accessibility to spaces, just more. Being such a young city we have so much opportunity to shape the future - it’s just so damn expensive to do anything here. 

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be?  Now I’m not someone that follows winemakers around with a cult-like fervour, but someone like Mac Forbes comes to mind. His holistic ethos to farming and his outside-the-box thinking (planting a southern slope in the Southern Hemisphere) to mitigate the effects of climate change makes me think he’d leave me with more questions than answers - which I love. 

Guilty pleasure wine? If you know me, you know I like oak. Nothing warms my soul quite like brown butter & vanilla. My palate has definitely evolved from the California oak bombs I enjoyed when I first started my wine journey. It desires much more restraint as of late, craving the more structured Chardonnays from Oregon & New Zealand. But, if I’m feeling guilty that it’s giving me pleasure, it’s got oak. 

Andrew Forsyth

Head Sommelier, L'Abattoir Restaurant

October 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? When I have a night off, I’m often having dinner with family or hanging out with friends and making up for lost time over a couple of nice bottles.  If it’s just my partner and I though, I love experiencing Vancouver by neighbourhood.  There are so many restaurants that I haven’t had a chance to visit in a long time and I’d love to explore more of Commercial Drive, Chinatown and Fraser Street.  Currently, the checklist includes Bar Gobo, Kissa Tanto, Oca Pastaficio, St. Lawrence, Savio Volpe, Published on Main, and Burdock & Co (just to name a few).

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?  Knowing that there is always something that will challenge you.  There is always something to learn, a new wine to taste, a region you’ve never heard of – I love that constant challenge and the fact that the wine community will always rally around you when you need help.  

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Domaine Emile Beyer in Eguisheim, France.  I visited their tasting room when I was in Alsace six years ago – long before I was a sommelier.  I would love to go back and really experience the unique culture of the region and delve into organic growing for a full year.  Also, their winemaker Christian is the 14^th generation of his family to make wine in the region and the village looks like the first five minutes of a Disney movie.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? I loved the culture in Europe that accepted wine and beer as part of outdoor social activity and only shunned public drunkenness.  It was nice to be able to have a picnic in Munich with some beer or a bottle of wine and some cheese in Nîmes without worrying about getting in trouble.  I think we’ve moved in the right direction over the past two summers with some of the City’s pilot programs.  I just hope that it becomes a bit more widely applied and accepted.

Biggest epiphany during these trying times? I think the biggest takeaway has been to take comfort in solidarity.  Whether it’s people in hospitality, wine, friends and family or a stranger on the street – everyone has had it hard for a long time now.  But we’ve shared this awful experience from a distance, and now that we can carefully hang out again, we can all value the time we spend together so much more.

September 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? A night off in Vancouver is always special for us!  My partner (he's a Chef) and I always work night shifts so a night off on the town is always appreciated!  Since being back to the city we like to check out new spots for dinner we haven't been to or haven't been to in a long time!  Getting out and enjoying good food and wine seems like a pretty dull answer but after the year and half we all have been through it is absolutely a thrill to just be out and supporting our friends in the industry doing amazing delicious things. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? My 48 hours in the Marlborough didn’t do it justice and I think I would beg Dogpoint to let me join them for a year! I absolutely loved the area and dream of returning one day again once things settle down. 

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Sometimes it wasn’t what I found but where I found it is what I wish there was more of.  That is one thing that has been changing a bit more since the pandemic hit. 

Biggest epiphany during these trying times? That life is very short so follow your passion!  It’s a time to study, be healthy, mindful and master your skill.

Next wine region on your radar to visit?  Italy is first on the list!  As for regions where to start?!  It’s just going to be such a priviledge to go any of them! 

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?Everyone starts somewhere so don’t feel intimated about the topic.  The topic is always changing and there’s always a new vintage.  So just start somewhere and study!  Learn the basics and you’ll figure it out from there.

Guilty pleasure wine? Lambrusco

August 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? I love connecting with friends that I haven’t seen in a while, going out trying restaurants that I have not been before and some old favourites too.  If my wife is able to join me then we often make time for a quite night on our own to treat ourselves at a high end restaurant and expensive wine.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?  Many!  All of my sommelier friends who are just so packed with information and down to earth.  Their level of wine knowledge never ceases to amaze me.   My wine maker friends who make me wish I could do what they do.  George Schwarz of the Post Hotel who has an incredible palate, created an amazing cellar and has winery contacts around the globe.  Finally I wouldn’t be in my position without the expert guidance and coaching from the oh so talented and passionate DJ Kearney. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Anyone that would take me in, but I have been bugging Mike Bartier for a while now haha.  I have always dreamed of making wine.

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be? Haha, same as above, anyone who would join me.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? More casual outdoor dining.  I realize the winter weather is not always so ‘outdoor friendly’, but I have dined in many covered outdoor venues that create such a unique dining experience, even in cooler weather.

Biggest epiphany during these trying times? I am so impressed by the dedication of the hospitality workers who push through to create amazing guest experiences every day despite staffing levels being critically short industry wide.

Cristina hartigan

Wine Director, AnnaLena

July 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? The perfect night off would start out early enough on a sunny patio.  I love to jump around from place to place with a drink & a snack at each stop.  I would pick a neighbourhood, jump on my bike & go!  Chinatown (Bar Gobo-Bao Bei-Keefer) or Fraserhood/Main (Bells & Whistles-Savio Volpe-Como) or Kits (Their There-Maenam-Au Comptoir).   But you are just as likely to find me in the park or at the beach with friends and a bottle of wine! 

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? I will always be learning!  There are so many facets of wine to study, that I think that I have barely scratched the surface.  You can approach wine from so many different directions - history, politics, geography, geology, viticulture, vinification, cuisine, marketing, sales, service & hospitality!  I particularly love learning about the people who made the wine and the places that the wine comes from.  

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? 

Huré Frères, Champagne. I would love to spend a year being involved in the process of making Champagne.  Huré Frères is located in Ludes in Montagne de Reims.  Their wines were a revelation for me!  A family run Champagne house with a strong focus on sustainability, the brothers are involved with every step of the process in the production, and I would love to be a part of that!

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? The tapas culture in Spain.  In Logroño and Haro in Rioja there are streets lined with tapas restaurants.  Everything is counter service, with great wine & lots of snacks.  With very few tables and chairs available, everyone wanders through the streets drinking and eating.  It doesn't seem to matter where the wine glasses are returned.  It is so social and casual. My favourite part is the fact that you see people of all ages, from 5 year olds running around to  grandparents, mingling in the streets until very late.

May 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? Let me paint you a picture: It's summer - the sun is shining and we don't have a state of emergency. I'd spend my time between parks and patios! Happy hour oysters and a prawn cocktail at Boulevard, followed by dinner in the park with my closest friends. We barbecue some local fare; everyone's laughing; we're playing all kinds of sports. Then, we clean up and make moves for a bottle (or two!) on the patio at Juice Bar. I also love visiting former colleagues so I'd stop for a piña colada at Bao Bei (and ask for a chartreuse float!). Lastly, If I could have a nightcap made by our Bar Manager at L'Abattoir, Dave Bulters, that would be the cherry on top!

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? The story! Almost every winemaker has a completely authentic, original story and I love hearing about the minute variations. Different passions, climates, terroirs, grapes, styles of winemaking - all contrasting in a crazy, beautiful way! To me, that's what makes every wine unique and when I get to translate that to a guest I feel lucky to be a part of a culture so special.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Hands down it would have to be Littorai in Sebastopol, Sonoma - one of the best producers in the United States in my opinion. Ted Lemon, aka 'Le Comte de Citron', is the owner/operator and has been a winemaker since 1984 at the ripe age of 25. He was also the first ever American born winemaker at a Burgundian estate, Domaine Roulot in Meursault, no less! At Littorai, everything is alive.. They focus hugely on the Biodynamics and Ted's wines are spectacular! They produce mostly single vineyard site Pinot Noirs, with some Chardonnay and a few other special bottlings reserved for wine club members. Having already visited, it's a magical place... Plus I love the sunshine!

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine? Never stop learning! It may be cliche, but the more you learn about wine, the more you realize you don't know. I'm very fortunate to have been surrounded by a wonderful group of people over the years that guided my education. Now, there's nothing I love more than to inspire or mentor those who are interested in breaking into the wine industry :).

Guilty pleasure wine? Muscadet!! Most consistent, underrated wine style ever!? I think so! Typically citrusy, mineral & fresh, I love the 'sur lie' styles and the value is just incredible. Dom. de la Pépière & Dom. de l'Ecu 'Granite' are my favourites in our market. Is it a true 'guilty pleasure'? Ok maybe not, but it's quality, damn delicious and affordable!

Biggest epiphany during these trying times? I believe the way you treat each other during times of hardship reflects true colours. I've focused on being empathetic, kind and positive. People will remember how they were treated when this is all over, and I want to be looked at as someone who people could look to for solace. I've really put emphasis on finding all the silver linings throughout the pandemic.

April 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? These days, living in North Vancouver, i try to get outside as much as I can with so much nature around!  Often times my ideal nights will be very low-key - making some dinner (i've definitely upped my culinary game over the last year), listening to - or singing - music, and socializing with friends and family as able.  If I do venture out for the evening though I have been making a point this past year of creating a list and going to/ordering from a new place at least once a week on average, and supporting local - even if just for drinks and snacks.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? In BC I always find inspiration in how supportive the Hospitality Industry is of each other.  Especially in these days it has become increasingly prominent how much local, small-businesses are helping each other in whatever ways that they can.  It is truly inspiring. I'm also inspired by what I can see as a modern-age renaissance for the BC wine industry both for Industry members and Consumers - experimentation, tradition, a resurgence of old styles...it is exciting to see not only an awareness of change, but embracing it in any way that we can, or at least we seem to have more resources and connections to access all of these!  At the end of the day it means that our Industry is growing and evolving, and that can then be passed on from us to our guests, as they are eager to learn from us.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Ooh boy now that's a tough one.  I could easily ramble on for ages, but one of the wineries I would adore working at would be R. Lopez de Heredia in Spain.  It was one of the houses that I learned about when I was first introduced to international wines and holds a special place in my mind, and each vintage fascinates me to this day as they hold such tradition.  Domaine Michel Gros in Burgundy would also be a dream to experience.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine? Don't be afraid to just jump in!  Wine can be daunting, even for people in the industry for years. Try different approaches depending on what you want to focus on, and expand from there.  Do a bottle share with friends and pick a theme to get to try several wines while being cost-effective. Ask questions! Whether just researching online or asking local industry - Liquor Store and Restaurant Somms are eager to help, and these days there are no shortage of options - with so many local Somms and Restaurants having started their own Wine Clubs, (Somm Wine Club, T&A Wine Co, Wine Vikings, Good Wine Gal, Apéromode, Como Taperia's 'Mercado' etc, etc) providing in-depth information, people are around to help you out with whatever you need to know! A mindset that I have always thought of is that wine is a lot like music: everyone likes something, so start with something you know you like - a favourite song (varietal), and then look for new artists in that genre (producers), arrangements and compositions (winemaking/winemakers), and you may find some new 'music' you may not have known that you would like!  Consult your local DJ (Sommelier) for advice anytime!

Guilty pleasure wine? It may have been made clear earlier, but I am a SUCKER for Riesling! Doesn't matter where it is from: Tantalus (BC), Markus Molitor (Germany), Rieslingfreak (Australia),  Trimbach/Marcel Deiss (Alsace).  Loire Valley Cab Francs are also a fun treat for me - Pierre & Catherine Breton is a favourite producer of mine...

Biggest epiphany during these trying times? Be excellent to each other.  Even introverts need the support of others when it comes down to it.  I always like my 'me-time', but only when it is optional.  We need the support of one another to succeed day after day, and we are seeing that with current initiatives like BCHF's #hospitalityhustle, and Shiva Reddy's #reddytohelp program, amongst SO many others.   Help others when you can, and at the same time don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

March 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? Pre-pandemic would include sherry and appies at Como Taperia, dinner and wine at Chambar or Annalena, and a nightcap at Boulevard or Keefer Bar.  An ideal night these days would be an evening walk on the seawall with the pup and husband, followed by burgers from Hundy Burger while watching Law & Order! Wild times haha.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine? The people! I spent a year travelling through different wine regions and the people I met along the way were by far the best part. Everyone is so welcoming in our industry - no one ever hesitated to invite us in, open a special bottle and tell us their story.  Drinking and tasting wine is great, but hearing about the people behind the label is even better! 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Yikes, there are so many! The Champagne lover in me would love to stage at Krug or Pierre Peters but the Burgundy side of me would want to spend that year learning from Caroline Morey. She’s such a boss and I love her low intervention/purity of fruit approach to winemaking. A few others would be Hamilton Russell in South Africa, Shaw & Smith in the Adelaide Hills, and Felton Road in Central Otago.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?  Stay humble and keep going! At some point you’ll find yourself at a breaking point where you’re frustrated trying to understand German wine laws and you’ll want to give up. DON’T! We all hit this point. It’s a crazy and exhausting journey but it’s so worth it. Staying humble is also key. No one likes a know-it-all so make sure to check your ego at the door. You’ll soon learn that the more you learn about wine the more you realise you know nothing.

Guilty pleasure wine?  Champagne! It’s not just for celebrations and is so versatile when it comes to food pairings. Oysters, burgers, Chinese food – so many options!

Biggest epiphany during these trying times? This industry can be extremely fast-paced and we sometimes forget to put aside time for ourselves, so I think this pandemic allowed everyone to finally slow down a little.  My entire career I’ve constantly been on the move, taking the next course, working long hours, etc. but taking time for myself during this past year has been so beneficial for my mental health. I think we worry that if we slow down or take some time off that we’ll fall behind, but I honestly think it just makes us better professionals in the end.  Sleep and an early bedtime will always trump 8 espresso days in my books. With all of that said though, I am ready for things to go back to normal.  I can’t wait to hug my friends and family again!

February 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like?  When it makes sense to do so again, I’m very much looking forward to re-discovering neighbourhoods like Commercial Dr, DTES, Chinatown or the Fraserhood. Stopping in here for a taco, there for some pasta and a glass of wine, and, “Hey, this new place just opened!” for cocktails. Lately, I’ve been drinking through a lot of the wines I’ve had cellaring. My partner and I have been coming up with creative dishes to pair with them. Recently we did a Cantonese Hot Pot with a high-altitude Spanish Garnacha from 4Monos in Madrid, and he made an amazing seafood chowder with 2012 Meyer Family Micro Cuvee Chardonnay - so good!

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?  There is a new generation of winemakers in BC that are starting to put down roots. They are slowly starting to figure out the terroir, what grows well here and create some pretty interesting wines. We are blessed with a unique climate, low disease pressure and decent access to water resources that most wine regions would be jealous of…even if land prices and production costs here are not as enviable. While I love the wine and hospitality community here in Vancouver I feel pulled towards the Okanagan and the desire to produce my own wines. I’d love to become a part of our burgeoning wine industry out there and in turn help to inspire others.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be?  I’ve been on a Pinot Noir kick for the past ten years or so - and it’s not gonna stop any time soon. While most people would like to work with some of the great producers in Burgundy I’m a big fan of new world Pinot and I want to delve deeper into it. If I went back to New Zealand it would be with the legendary Helen Masters at Ata Rangi in Martinborough. Otherwise, it would probably be with either the iconic Ted Lemon at Littorai in Sonoma County, California or Nick Farr at By Farr in Bannockburn, Australia.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?  Be humble and don’t get discouraged. When you first start learning about wine it’s easy to get carried away with your newfound knowledge and assume that you know more than you actually do. Just about everyone you meet in this industry can probably teach you something you didn’t know, so stay open and listen. Wine is a VERY broad field with a lot of soft rules, exceptions, interpretations and opinions. It takes constant tasting and dedicated study. Keep at it, learn from others, go to tastings, get other people to choose wines for you and get involved in the wine community – we’re a fun bunch!

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? There is a great little wine merchant in Portland that purchases wine for a secondary market. What is great about this is you can find astonishing back vintages of Burgundies, Bordeaux’s and Brunello’s with decent provenance- best part is I don’t have to try to cellar them for 10 years in my little condo! Unfortunately, in BC it is illegal to purchase and resell from a private cellar, so finding older wines is difficult.

 Guilty pleasure wine?  I try not to make others feel guilty about their wine choices and so neither should I! But I suppose I do have a soft spot for cheap Riesling… Mertes Landlust is a great organic Riesling from the Mosel and it’s only $15.00 in the BCL!! In the summer you’ll find me guzzling Monte del Fra’s Chiaretto out of an opaque water bottle down on Kits beach.                         

January 2021

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like?    A night off is usually spent at home preparing a nice meal in good company with a lineup of wines to enjoy. I always enjoyed cooking at home but with the current state of things I have definitely embraced it more. I spend a lot more time curating my at home menu and trying different dishes. When I do go out, I like to jump around to different places, usually walking down Main Street on sunny day and stopping at a few spots for a drink or quick bite.  If I am downtown My go to place is L’Abattoir I always prefer a seat at the bar and their hospitality is always on point.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?   The amazing people you meet for sure, whether it be guest, winemakers, or other wine professionals, I’ve been given the opportunity to meet some great people over a glass of wine.  Lots of memorable moments have been made traveling to different regions and meeting the people that work so hard for us to enjoy a bottle of some amazing juice. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be? Pierre Peters in Champagne, I really enjoy Blanc de Blancs Sparkling wines and his are some of the best.  I would really like to see the challenging process of making great Champagne from the vineyard all the way to the bottle.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?  Enjoy the learning process it is long and never ending, and don’t be afraid to surround yourself with people that know more than you.  I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself with people that you can learn from and will challenge you.

Biggest epiphany during these trying times?  Be grateful for what you have and keep building towards what you want. I think the one thing that has been consistent for me this year is the need to continue to challenge myself and not let the current times get in the way of that.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver?       More casual drink and snack culture for sure.  It is something they’ve mastered in Europe especially in the more Mediterranean cultures.   A nice beverage and small plate in the late afternoon on a nice patio is definitely something we can all have more of.   

Guilty pleasure wine?                              I don’t know if I feel guilty about it but, I love a good bottle of bubbles. I think BC has some really well made Sparkling that doesn’t get enough credit.  I always, have a bottle of either Blue Mountain, Bella, or Lighting Rock ready to go for any day of the week.

December 2020

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like? If I am keen for a night out, there are so many fun places and pals to visit – I’m definitely grabbing a glass of vino at Chambar, Burdock & Co, or Juice Bar. If dinner is in the cards, I’m making a reservation at Savio Volpe. If late-night drinks are in order, I’ve been known to pop into the Keefer Bar, but you will always find me at the Bayside Lounge for last call. My ultimate night however is a BBQ on the beach. I am a big fan of Mother Nature and all things outdoors. I have the great pleasure of living in the West End and I can’t get enough of it. I’m bringing the Weber down to Sunset Beach for jerk chicken and veggie skewers. I’m drinking Loire Valley Chenin and Lambrusco by the litre. Come one, come all! The spectacular sunsets bring a whole new meaning to dinner and a show!

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?     The people, the travel, the farming. Every wine has a story to tell: who made it, what makes it different from other wines, why it tastes the way it does, and why it is the right wine for that moment. A commitment to being in sync with Mother Nature is essential and it requires a lot of hard-working people to make a wine come to life. Wine is alive! It is constantly changing. You can drink a wine from the exact same plot of land year and year, and you will never drink the same wine twice. It is truly fascinating.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be?  Pattes Loup in Chablis or G.D. Vajra in Barolo. Or Niepoort in Portugal. Or Brittan Vineyards in Oregon. Or Duncan Savage in South Africa. Or Bindi in Australia. Ahh how do I pick just one?! There are so many incredible wine growing regions I would love to work in. I had the great opportunity to work at Tantalus Vineyards in Kelowna for the last 6 months. I got to spend 3 months in the vineyard and 3 months in the cellar, experiencing first-hand what it actually entails to transform a plant into a bottle of wine. I think every Somm needs to work harvest at least once in their lifetime. The winemaker David Paterson is truly a legend; through his passion, commitment, and curiosity, I learnt more about wine than I ever learnt from a textbook over many years of study.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?   Do it!! It’s so much fun! We need more people like you! One of my biggest turn-offs in this industry (like many other industries) is ego. It’s impossible to know everything about wine, so don’t get caught up in who knows more or who drank what. Forget the ego; this industry is so much more than that. We need to start thinking about wine as a universal beverage as opposed to a luxury product. Wine is about agriculture; it’s about culture; it’s about breaking bread and facilitating happiness. The more you learn about wine, the more you will realize how much more there is to know about wine. The study of wine is the study of the world – it is social, historical, political, and environmental. Every day, I learn something new about topography, geography, climate change, and sustainability. Not only is it intellectually stimulating, but it is so much fun!  The best part about learning is sharing it with others.  Giving people knowledge creates an opportunity to connect people together. We welcome you!

Biggest epiphany during these trying times?   Quit watching the news so much. Embrace the little things. Remember to take time for reflection and perspective. And continue to support local! GO BC wine GO!!

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver?           Wine bars and street food. I also think we lack affordable access to wine. I praise the importers like Pete Marshall at Sur Lie and Matt Sherlock at Sedimentary that work so hard to bring interesting wines to our market then get so heavily taxed before we have the opportunity to enjoy drinking them. We are grateful for you guys! There are so many incredible wines that just don’t make it to our market. We want to support these wineries!

       

November 2020

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like?      My ideal night off is a long, slow dinner at a table overfilled with friends. Apéritifs, bubbles, something delicious to drink paired with some slowly-simmering dinner shared family style. Hopefully someone ends up laying on the rug from eating too much. Nothing better.

Your biggest inspiration in working in wine?                        My biggest inspiration in wine are the Eureka moments we create tableside for guests, stemming from those same moments we experience. Wines people have never dreamed of, from places they haven't heard of, or sometimes something familiar enjoyed in a novel way; watching that childlike feeling of joy shine is incredible to pass on.

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be?      I would love to work with Krista Scruggs at Zafa in Vermont - if she would have me. Any earnest wine lover will tell you wine is about sharing beauty and exchanging experiences. It's about the people, though much gets made of the glitter, glamour, and unicorn wines. Scruggs is a visionary and a powerhouse, a farmer and vigneronne of the next generation. We need that kind of work in this industry. In the words of Anton Ego; I’m craving some perspective. Wine is all too often missing her point of view.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?  First of all, hi friend!!!! If you're a bit of a nerd, you like people, and you are happy on your feet, you're in great company. Try not to be intimidated by the rigamarole and competition vibes of the wine world. Factoids and flash cards are a dismal way to take in oenological beauty. Soil types should be interesting and exciting, they should explain something; when they become a dismaying and exhausting dental drill to the side of the head, best step away from the horrid little sheets lest you ruin your fun. There are so many incredible people working in wine, especially in BC. Meet them. Work at your own pace, don't compare yourself to others (they’re probably comparing themselves to you anyway), and focus on what you taste and smell in your everyday life. Try wines and foods, and focus on why they don’t work together as much as why they do. One of the big joys of wine is that it's sensual. Let it be.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Casual patio eating and drinking. We’re slowly seeing that change, but constant pushes by restaurants and the general public have paled in the face of the sanitized, tower-and-podium Vancouverism espoused by our Planning office. I hope to see their perspective shift in the coming months and years; could be a silver lining to this waking Covid nightmare.

Guilty pleasure wine?                                                                      I don’t at all believe in guilty pleasures! I think we can leave the concept behind. That being said, I’m frequently guilty about the amount of money I spend on champagne; it’s not cheap, it is very delicious, and age just suits it so nicely. A bottle of immaculately aged vintage champagne will go all the way. On the other end of things, I tend to shy away from running my mouth with the somm crowd about the volumes of gloriously inexpensive magnums of Freixenet ($27!!) that I love to drink with friends. One man’s trash, I suppose…

Next wine region on your radar to visit?                   Once travel is a thing again (going places! seeing people! imagine!) I need to go to the Loire. Long overdue. Glou-glou paired against a backdrop of magnificent Châteaux; legendary. Gotta rent a little Volkswagen beetle and shoot upriver at an alarming pace, maybe with a bottle of wine in the cup holder for later (unopened, don’t @ me!).

October 2020

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like?   When I have the opportunity to visit many places, Vancouver have a great diversity. I love trying new beers/brewery, at least 2 places for cocktails, a glass of wine and some snacks in one of the hot restaurants in town, main course in another one. After dinner, wines at any of the wine bars catching up with my wine reps based in Vancouver and finishing with a late night burger before going back home. (I don’t go to Vancouver so often but when I go I love to explore and visit many of my idols Somms)

What is your biggest inspiration in working in wine?                 We are always learning and involving. The fact that wine is not only about the wine itself but history, geography, geology, farming, business and so on. It’s never boring. 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be?   After having been at Martins Lane this summer it’s impossible to not pick that place to work. The ambience is relaxing, perfectly designed and with a lot of winemaking equipment. I love their wines, the wine- maker Shane and the energy of Matt who runs the tasting at Martins lane.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine?  Be loyal to your partner but not to one wine. Even if you find the wine that you love you should explore the other wines in the market. Read a lot. I’m reading Jancis Robinson’s wine course book. It’s an introductory to wine and I'm still learning so many things. 

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? South America street food like choripan, Brazilian street churrasco, empanadas, Etc.

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be? Rajat Parr, I love his wines. He is an amazing formal Somm with lots of experience and a supper funny guy. I’m sure I would learn lots and have a good time. 

Biggest epiphany during these trying times?                So nice to see everyone holding hands to go through theses times. I’m taking a lot of time to study and stay with family, trying to keep my mind busy and ready for a new beginning. I’m sure we will come back stronger and more united, it’s just a matter of time. 

September 2020

What does your ideal night off in Vancouver look like?    Time spent with friends, eating good food and drinking good wine (or cocktails/fine liquors) - outdoors if weather permits. Being in an environment where I don’t have to worry about time constraints, and I can just let the evening flow with the only thought being about how much I’m enjoying myself.

Who is your biggest inspiration in wine?                                     Definitely my father. Being from France, wine was always important to him and it was a big part of my life growing up. What wine he was drinking with what dish was crucial. Wine was never an afterthought. As an adult, I found myself wanting to understand more about wine. Once I delved into that world, I couldn’t get enough! 

If you could work at a winery for a year, which would it be?    Any winery in the Canary Islands. I love the idea of discovering a completely different wine region from what I know: extreme viticulture, rugged terroir, volcanic soils, an outstanding ecosystem, unknown grape varieties, and of course, a very pleasing climate. Plus I would get to experience a new culture, which I love doing.

Best piece of advice for someone looking to get into wine? Remember that everyone starts somewhere. Keep it fun. Don’t feel pressured by the “supposed to” aspects. Jump into the world of wine in the way that you want to, and just start learning. And taste, a lot, “study hard”. The more often you are trying different wines, the faster you will train your palate.

What have you found on your travels that you wish there was more of in Vancouver? Downtown wine tasting rooms. I think this would be a great option for the BC wine industry. It would give both locals and travellers alike, the option to try local wines before investing in a bottle. It would promote our local wine industry and it would be a fun place to go as well!

If you could have dinner with any winemaker, who would it be? Telmo Rodriguez. I love his approach to winemaking/viticulture and I would love to be able to learn more from him. From his dedication to revitalizing the abandoned vineyards of Spain, to honoring traditional winemaking (depending on the area of the vineyard) while at the same time modernizing it (eg. Mountain Blanco Muscat), to Biodynamic Viticulture: I feel like dinner wouldn’t be long enough to discuss it all.

Guilty pleasure wine?                                                                     Champagne. All Champagne. I’m always looking for a reason to buy a bottle. Even when my pocket book says I shouldn’t. Whether it’s a Growers Champagne or a Grande Marque, I love trying a new bottle and sharing with someone I value.