Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers - BC Chapter News

2025 Best Sommelier of BC - Andrew Forsyth

A Mark Taylor — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 20:02:45 GMT

Andrew has been a sommelier at L’Abattoir since 2019 and has led the restaurant wine program since 2022.

He studied History and English literature at Simon Fraser University but got his start in restaurants much earlier working for The Keg Steakhouse and Bar. After university he pursued a job in his first passion - Baseball - and worked as a Community Relations Manager for the Vancouver Canadians. Following four seasons with the C’s returned to restaurants, becoming a manager with at The Keg and got his first taste of wine education.

When not at the restaurant, Andrew can be found at the Curling rink a couple of days per week during the winter. During the summer he enjoys being outdoors and playing whatever baseball he can.

We'd like to congratulate Andrew
for all of his hard work and impressive skills
to become British Columbia's Best Sommelier for 2025!

2024 Best Sommelier of B.C. Ian Casterton

A Mark Taylor — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:43:59 GMT

Ian's love of the wine transcends traditional industry roles. Over the last 12 spirited years Ian has worked with Import Agencies, Fine Dining Restaurants, and a Helicopter Skiing Resort. Currently he represents Andrew Peller Limited, selling B.C. Wine to Western Canada Restaurant Groups. But most importantly, he loves to share his passion for all things vinus to the nerdy, the interested, and the thirsty.

Drawing from this array of experience, and his WSET Diploma, Ian is currently pursuing the Master of Wine Designation. When his head isn't in a book, he's enjoying BC's mountains, golf courses, and delicious fare.

Congratulations Ian on becoming
CAPS BC 2024 Best Sommelier of BC,
and VIWF Sommelier of the Year 2024 !

2023 Best Sommelier of B.C. - Kelcie Jones

A Mark Taylor — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 23:24:26 GMT

Kelcie is currently Wine Director for the Michelin-starred Burdock & Co, joining the team after opening the beloved Elephant on Powell as Wine Director and General Manager last year. She was also Wine Director at Chambar in Vancouver for half a decade and is a Stage 2 candidate with the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as a WSET Diploma holder. In early 2023 she opened This is Wine School with two friends and sommeliers, an alternative wine school offering WSET courses and more creative classes to both novices and industry professionals alike.

Congratulations Kelcie for your fine work dedication to achieve the status of BC's Best Sommelier 2023

2022 Master of Port Canada - Leagh Barkley

A Mark Taylor — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 19:41:40 GMT

Vancouver played host to the finals of the Master of Port Canada 2022 contest, a contest that challenged Canada’s top sommeliers to test their knowledge of Port, the famous fortified wines of the Douro Valley. This was only the second time Canada had hosted the prestigious competition. Organized by the IVDP (Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto) in coordination with CAPS (the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers), the Vancouver finale marked the end of a long journey for the competitors. Last year, a qualification round was held via online testing, with sommeliers from across Canada, vying to earn the right to qualify for the semi-final round held this past June in Porto. The test required competitors, more than 75 of them, to answer numerous questions on Port production and viticulture in a time pressured online, monitored testing environment. Ten sommeliers, two each from CAPS’ then five (an Alberta chapter was recently added) chapters were whisked to Porto and the heart of Douro Valley for hands on instruction before being tested by members of the IVDP.

In Portugal, the ten competitors were given hands on learning experiences before being put to the test. Of the experience in Portugal, Caroline LeBlanc, CAPS National Vice-President, and President of ACSP (the Québec chapter of CAPS) who attended the week on CAPS’ behalf says “the Douro and Porto are truly spectacular, and revered, wine regions. Having our top sommeliers there to learn about this iconic region, from the people that actively work the land, and passionately craft the wines, was an experience none will forget, and I am sure they will translate this passion and understanding to their colleagues and guests.”

The final five including two West Coast sommeliers, Leagh Barkley who recently took the position of Manager of the Prestigious Vancouver Club’s restaurants and a runner-up in the previous Master of Port Canada contest, and Justin Isidro, sommelier, consultant and now General Manager of Vancouver’s Kiss Tanto. Joining the hometown favourites were Nathan Hooper, an Ontario-based sommelier whose dramatic rise in Ontario sommelier circles has been swift. Hooper, who previously worked in Niagara, now works with Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner at Toronto’s Somm Factory and Grand Cru Deli. Alexandre Fortin, like Hooper, has risen to the top early in his career. The 8-year veteran of Québec’s restaurant scene received his sommelier designation in 2018 and is currently near completion of his Advanced Sommelier certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Rounding out the top five was Lesley Quinn, a former Best Sommelier of Atlantic Canada, and owner of Stellar Somm, a Prince Edward Island-based wine consultancy business.

Last month, the five semi-finalists gathered in Vancouver for two days of competition. On the other side of the judging table Manuel Lima Ferreira, Head of the Tasting Chamber at the Port and Douro Wines Institute, was joined by Paolo Russell Pinot, a wine educator with the IVDP, Gabrielle Plastre, the reigning 2019 Master of Port Canada champion, and well-known West Coast wine educator, DJ Kearney.

After the first day’s competition, the final three, who would compete for the title, were announced. To few people’s surprise, Leagh Barkley was announced as one of the three finalists along with Hooper and Fortin, both of whom were competing in the contest for the first time. While Fortin and Hooper performed exceptionally in the final round, Barkley was announced as the winner at a gala dinner, fittingly held at The Vancouver Club, where Barkley now works. Of the event, CAPS National President Domer Rafael says “the ongoing relationship CAPS has with the IVDP, and the Port producers, is only getting stronger, year by year. While this event crowns one deserving winner, all sommeliers benefit from the opportunity to learn, compete and challenge themselves to be the best they can be. Leagh (Barkley) is such a worthy champion. His commitment to his craft, and willingness to share his knowledge with others, is an inspiration for all sommeliers, and those wishing to enter the field.’

CAPS would like to thank the IVDP, its Port producer partners, and The Vancouver Club for its generous support of the sommelier profession in Canada.

2022 Best Sommelier of BC - Jayton Paul

A Mark Taylor — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:34:36 GMT

Originally from Jasper, Alberta, Jayton started learning about wine when he was just 10-years-old breaking down cardboard boxes at his best friend’s parent’s wine shop, Jasper Liquor and Wine Cellar. While working on wine certifications, Jayton built his reputation working the Vancouver wine scene – from the back room at the “Vancouver Magazine International Wine Awards”, to being a part of the opening team of Chambar in 2014, and then opening Nightingale in 2016 as a Senior Sommelier. Jayton went on to work at Hawksworth Restaurant on the Sommelier team there for 3 years after. Most recently, he has joined Published On Main as the Wine Director.

2020 Best Sommelier of BC - Peter Van De Reep

A Mark Taylor — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 20:57:57 GMT

Our 2020 champion, Peter Van De Reep is the bar manager and sommelier at Bar Gobo in Vancouver. Previously, he ran Upstairs @ Campagnolo after working for Elysian Coffee and completing a B.Sc. in Geological Sciences from the University of British Columbia.

Peter was selected through a gruelling exam and hands-on competition organized by the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers. As Sommelier of the Year, Peter received Delta Air Lines vouchers valued at $2,000 USD from the festival.

2019 Best Sommelier of BC - Matthew Landry

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 00:13:51 GMT

[Vancouver, BC] The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers British Columbia Chapter (CAPS BC), is happy to announce the title of Best Sommelier of British Columbia 2019 goes to: Matthew Landry, General Manager & Beverage Director of The Stable House Bistro in Vancouver. Landry, a three-time finalist, showed incredible poise throughout the competition and deservedly took home the title of Best Sommelier of BC 2019.

In a very exciting finale, Landry outscored second place winner Christina Hartigan of Wildebeest Restaurant and third place winner Leagh Barkley of Il Caminetto Restaurant. Along with her second place recognition, Hartigan was also awarded “Best Taster” of the day, scoring the highest blind tasting score in the history of the competition.

CAPS BC president Lesley Brown announced the winner at the post competition reception held at Encore @ Rogers Arena, “We are incredibly proud to crown Matthew BC’s Best Sommelier and are honored to have him represent CAPS BC as our 2019 champion. A tremendous congratulations to both Christina and Leagh for a great day of competition today. Christina’s blind tasting score was the highest we have ever seen. All 12 of today’s competitors did exceptionally well and we’re very proud of continued growth and level of competition here in British Columbia.”

More information

The fifth annual competition, emceed this year by Sean Nelson (winner of 2018 Best Sommelier BC Competition), attracted sommeliers from across the province to compete in the Captains Room at Rogers Arena for the title of Best Sommelier of British Columbia 2019. The day started with an intense written theory exam and blind tasting. Then, the top three scoring sommeliers from the morning session were put through a series of practical tests such as executing a sparkling wine service, spotting errors in a written wine menu, a food & wine pairing, and a blind wine/spirit/and cocktail tasting; all done LIVE in front of 100+ spectators that filled the room at Rogers Arena.

This year's competition judges were: Barbara Philip MW, Jason Yamasaki, and Sebastien Le Goff.

The competition is coordinated and hosted by Technical Director and Vice-President of CAPS BC, DJ Kearney.

And, a special THANK YOU to all those volunteers, sponsors and supporters whose efforts all contribute to building the sommelier community here in British Columbia. In particular, thank you to the Vancouver International Wine Festival (President Harry Hertscheg) for their continued support of CAPS BC; this year, along with the Best Sommelier of BC competition, Harry and VIWF are sponsoring the flights for two of our CAPS Canada Competitors to be able to compete for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World Competition held in Antwerp, Belgium later this year.

About Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers

Established in 1989, the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) is a pan-Canadian association, which brings together individuals within the sommelier profession, restaurant services, and other sectors of the wine industry.

As a not-for-profit organization, CAPS aims to promote and educate the sommelier profession through professional development and networking events related to the wine and spirits industry. Visit: http://sommelierscanada.com/

The Master of Port – Canada Competition wants you!

Keith Nicholson — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:30:00 GMT

Calling all professional sommeliers. Do you want to be the first ‘Master of Port – Canada’?

The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, I.P. (IVDP,I.P.) is offering this competition in Canada. The ‘Master of Port’ is a prestigious title awarded to professional sommeliers who are presently working in the hospitality industry and who have displayed expert knowledge in the area of Port associated with wine production, Douro Demarcated Region, history, brands, years and harvests, pairings and moments of consumption and service. This competition is open to professional sommeliers in Canada who are members of CAPS.

The ‘Master of Port’ holder becomes an ambassador of the ‘Port’ brand and thus, is recognized by the industry as a specialist and a representative of the excellence that makes Port one of the best wines in the world.

Registration is now open! Follow link to register. (No cost as a CAPS BC Member.)

http://www.ivdp.pt/mopcanada/

Key dates:

May 8th, 2018:

Deadline to register for the competition

May 14th, 2018 :

On-line qualifying test to determine the top two (2) representatives from each CAPS/ACSP chapter who will travel to Portugal to compete in the quarter final round

The on-line test will be written at the same time and same day across the country, with results being determined by the I.V.D.P. .

10:00 in British Columbia; 12:00 in Manitoba; 13:00 in Ontario: and 14:00 in Atlantic.

May 15th, 2018:

The IVDP will notify the candidates who will move to the quarter-final.

Names will be posted on the website.

June 10 – 14th, 2018:

Top candidates from each chapter will travel, expenses paid, to Portugal for training and the quarter-final.

You will have to confirm that you are able to travel within these posted dates at the time of your registration.

2019: Date to be scheduled and announced:

Semi-final and Final round to be held in Canada in 2019.

Winner will have the title of Master of Port – Canada until the next Master of Port is named following the next competition.

Winner will win a trip for two to Portugal.

The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers / L’Association Canadienne des Sommeliers Professionels (CAPS/ACSP) is honoured to have been invited to work with the the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, I.P. (IVDP,I.P.)’, I.P. in delivering this national competition here in Canada.

2018 Best Sommelier of BC - SEAN NELSON

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:15:29 GMT

[Vancouver, BC] The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers British Columbia Chapter (CAPS BC), is happy to announce the title of Best Sommelier of British Columbia 2018 goes to: Sean Nelson, Sommelier at Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver. This is an incredibly well deserved and hard-earned win for Nelson, who also was awarded "Best Taster" of the day from Monday's competition.

In a very tight finale, Nelson outscored second place winner Matthew Landry of the Stable House Bistro and third place winner Todd Prucyk of Hawksworth Restaurant to claim the 2018 Title.

CAPS BC president Lesley Brown announced the winner at the post competition reception and dinner held at Encore @ Rogers Arena, “A huge congratulations Sean, and to both Matt and Todd for an incredible day of competition; and, a congratulations to all of the 13 competitors today...everyone should be proud of what they have accomplished.”

More information

The fourth annual competition, emceed this year by Shane Taylor (winner of 2017 Best Sommelier BC Competition), attracted sommeliers from across the province to compete in the Captains Room at Rogers Arena for the title of Best Sommelier of British Columbia 2018. The day started with an intense written theory exam and blind tasting. Then, the top three scoring sommeliers from the morning session were put through a series of practical tests such as executing a sparkling wine service, spotting errors in a written wine menu, a food & wine pairing, and a blind wine/spirit/and cocktail tasting; all done LIVE in front of 100+ spectators that filled the room at Rogers Arena.

This year's competition judges were: Barbara Philip MW, Michaela Morris, and Sebastien Le Goff.

The competition is coordinated and hosted by Technical Director (and Vice-President of CAPS, BC) DJ Kearney.

The full list of competitors:

Christina Hartigan - Botanist Restaurant (Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel)
Calen Macdonald - Blue Water Café
Michael Hiram - AnnaLena
Matthew Landry - The Stable House Bistro
Shane Lobsinger - Sonora Resort
Adam Mayhew - Yew Seafood + Bar (Four Seasons Hotel)
Scott Mitchell - AnnaLena
Sean Nelson - Vij's Restaurant
Jayton Paul - Hawksworth Restaurant
Todd Prucyk - Hawksworth Restaurant
Tereza Roux - Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge (Wedgewood Hotel)
Peter Van de Reep - Campagnolo Restaurant
Jesse Walters - Burdock & Co.

New Aspiring Sommelier Competition 2018

New this year (and for the first time in Canada), CAPS BC hosted the 2018 BC Aspiring Sommelier Competition. This event was for any member of CAPS BC who earns at least 50% of their income from hospitality employment in any role, and who has an interest in participating in future Best Sommelier BC competitions. The event mimics the Best Sommelier BC format in order to give aspiring sommeliers the opportunity to understand what the competition is all about.

The winner of the inaugural Aspiring Sommelier Competition 2018 is Ian Wharton of Blue Water Café. The runner up: Alex Anderson of Tap Restaurant.

For his efforts, Wharton was awarded a $1000 Education Bursary (provided by Rust Wine Co.) to continue his education and further his professional development.

The full list of competitors:

Ian Wharton - Blue Water Café
Alex Anderson - Tap Restaurant
Noel Hollett - The Vancouver Club
Jasmin Kohli-Bryans - AnnaLena
Michael Wong - Chambar
Eliza Bashkirova - Botanist

Jason Yamasaki (Wine Director of the Joey Restaurant Group and Best Sommelier in BC 2015) and Mark Shipway (Director of Professional Development, CAPS – BC) oversaw the new competition. Jason mentioned as part of the awards announcement that "BC is leading the way with this competition. The sommelier community continues to build in BC and it is truly something special.”

Congratulations again to all the competitors from both 2018 competitions; and, a special THANK YOU to all those volunteers, sponsors and supporters whose efforts all contribute to building the sommelier community here in British Columbia!

About Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers