The Vancouver International Wine Festival, presented by The Vancouver Sun, announced this year’s trade competition winners at Celebrating Excellence: The 10th Annual Awards Lunch, presented by ContainerWorld Forwarding Services Inc., on Friday, March 1, 2013. The awards, which are sponsored by W. H. Puddifoot Ltd., honoured those professionals who contribute to our region’s exceptional wine and food culture. Guests enjoyed lunch prepared by Vancouver Convention Centre executive chef Blair Rasmussen and toasted winners with wines from California, this year’s festival theme region.
SPIRITED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL (SIP) AWARD
The Spirited Industry Professional Award honours an individual who makes significant contributions to the sales, service or promotion of wine in British Columbia. The eighth annual SIP Award goes to industry legend Sid Cross. Sid travels the globe as a wine and food writer and educator and volunteers his time to numerous culinary causes. Sid is honorary president of the International Wine & Food Society and judges competitions like the Canadian Wine Awards and Canadian Culinary Championships. He is internationally recognized for his exceptional palate: he is an officer of France’s Ordre du Merite Agricole; a wines committee chair of the International Wine and Food Society in London, England; and the only Canadian to be honoured as a Membre d’Honneur of the L’Academie du vin de Bordeaux.
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The 13th annual Sommelier of the Year Award recognizes outstanding wine knowledge and wine service. The Sommelier of the Year is awarded based on votes by key members of the industry and is included in the May Restaurant Awards issue of Vancouver Magazine. This year’s award goes to sommelier Samantha Rahn. Samantha was trained at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and previously worked at Banff’s Maple Leaf Grill & Lounge, where she earned the restaurant prestigious accolades such as Wine Spectator’s “Best of” Award of Excellence. Now wine director at Whistler’s famed Araxi, Samantha is passionate about wine, using her knowledge and years of experience to craft the restaurant’s acclaimed wine list.
WINE LIST AWARDS
Celebrating the best food and wine pairings in the business, restaurants throughout British Columbia and Alberta have been recognized for creating wine lists that complement their establishment’s unique menu and concept. Candidates submitted their wine and menu lists, and were then visited by judges who reviewed their programs. The top restaurants were awarded Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, or commended with an Honourable Mention. The Wine List Awards are sponsored by Vancouver Magazine.
METRO VANCOUVER
Platinum
Blue Water Cafe
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill
Wine Room at Joey Bentall One
Gold
Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
Chambar
CinCin
Hawksworth Restaurant
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
MARKET by Jean-Georges
Nicli Antica Pizzeria
Salt Tasting Room
Tableau Bar Bistro
West
YEW restaurant + bar
Silver
Bao Bei
Cibo Trattoria and Uva Wine Bar
Edible Canada at the Market
Provence: The Wine Bar
The Observatory
Zest
