Experienced educator/facilitator with a demonstrated history of working in the post-secondary education sector. Skilled in Food Tourism, Catering, Wine & Spirits, and Hotel Management. Professor of Hospitality Management at George Brown College

After leaving a career in the Health Sciences 1991, I joined the wine industry as sales associate for a respected wine agency as I have always been fascinated by wines since the late 70s. I have remained in this industry working for other agencies in sales or in partnership until finally creating Portfolio Wine & Spirits in 2001. I am now co-owner of Vinologie Inc. since 2017. I love what I do and enjoy traveling to discover new wines, beers and spirits, as well as learning about the traditional and modern wine making techniques in each region. I wish to continue expanding my knowledge and I like to share them with new generations of wine professionals.

I've spent years in the hospitality industry which sparked my passion for wine. I'm currently enrolled in Viticulture and Oenology studies at Brock.

After 15 years living and working in Europe, Asia and the Middle East in events management, I travelled home to Toronto to pursue my passion for wine. After completing WSET 3, I then eagerly enrolled in WSET Diploma at IWEG. I also have my FWS and am currently using this time in lockdown to study for my SWS (my favourite wine region is Spain) and final diploma exam. I'll be a lifelong student of this wonderous wine world because the more I study the more I realize how much there is still to learn.

My name is Felipe Avendaño @pisco_avendano I started my studies at Escuela de Sommelier de Chile and am Certified by the Court of Master Sommelier, WSET Level 3 graduate and Certified Pisco taster at IDVIP (Wine and Pisco Institute) in Lima, Peru.
I have been working for a long time with wines and spirits in the main distributors of Chile with many wineries and brands of distillates;
Premium Brands, El Mundo del Vino- Cavas Reunidas and La Vinoteca, as well as Bodegas Tabernero in Peru.
The Sommelier profession requires a lot of knowledge, it is a continuous learning. I have had the opportunity to visit various wine regions and wineries in France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Peru, Canada and of course Chile.

I have been part of this industry for the past 10 years and there is not another industry I would rather spend my life contributing to.

It is a privilege to be part of this industry, learning from other cultures and getting to take care of people .

Hospitality is the most important aspect of this industry and we all should remember that.

Ranked top 25 in the country for plate-clearing.

Maria is a CMS Certified Sommelier and French Wine Scholar. She has also completed her WSET 2 and WSET 3.

She has been working in the industry for over 4 years, first as a Sommelier and Wine Director at Wine Academy, and now working as Sommelier as Grand Cru Deli and Sips on Richmond.

She's looking forward to moving to Bordeaux in fall 2021 to continue her studies in wine business.

Currently pursuing WSET 3 with the help of a scholarship focused on BIPOC community from Vinica Education Society.
A Chef by profession looking to sharpen the wine knowledge to help provide an even better food & wine pairing experience to the guests during the private cooking & catering events.

A Wine Marketing and Hospitality professional continuing my exploration of the wine world. I started my work-life in the hospitality industry, in F&B, and fell in love with wine almost immediately. My interest and curiosity grew into a passion that led me to Bordeaux where I delved into the world of wine through a Wine Marketing MBA. I am currently enrolled at IWEG for WSET's Award in Wine while focusing on gathering relevant experiences in the industry. With a creative mind and my passion for wine, I look forward to connecting, sharing and working with fellow vino lovers. Lastly, I am also a sommelier.

Cheers to exciting new journeys, colleagues and friends with good times & great wine!