CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: VIWF ANNOUNCES 2018 TRADE COMPETITION WINNERS
We’re heading down to the Vancouver International Wine Festival for some more tasting today, but thought we’d report on the wine award first. From the press release today!
The Vancouver International Wine Festival announced the 2018 trade competition winners on Friday at Celebrating Excellence: 15th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring Wines from Spain & Portugal, presented by ContainerWorld. The Celebrating Excellence program is part of the three-day Trade Days Conference; the program honours those professionals who contribute to this region’s exceptional wine and food culture. Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Vancouver Convention Centre executive chef Mark Massicotte, exquisitely matched with a selection of 40 wines from Portugal and Spain.
2018 SPIRITED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL AWARD
The annual Spirited Industry Professional Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service or promotion of wine in British Columbia. The 13th annual award goes to Barbara Philip MW.
Barbara was the first Western Canadian to achieve the Master of Wine designation and is the only woman in Canada with this distinction. For close to 10 years she has managed the European Portfolio at BC Liquor Stores. Through Barbariain Wine Consulting, Barbara has been an international presenter, educator, journalist and judge. Since 2008, she has been the wine columnist on CBC Radio’s On the Coast. She has been for many years a judge for Decanter World Wines Awards, the largest wine competition in the world and also been Vice President of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, BC Chapter.
2018 SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
The Sommelier of the Year Award recognizes working sommeliers who consistently demonstrate an outstanding passion for marrying wine with food and a dedication to exceptional service. This year’s winner, Sean Nelson, sommelier at Vij’s, was selected through a hands-on competition organized by the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers. As Sommelier of the Year, Sean receives Delta Air Lines vouchers valued at $2,000 USD from the festival.
Sean grew up in Greater Vancouver and entered the hospitality industry at age 16 with a job at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar. After being bitten by the wine bug, he completed his WSET Intermediate and Advanced certification with Distinction. In 2013, he became a sommelier at Vij’s restaurant and began pursuing the Master Sommelier Diploma. He completed the Introductory Sommelier Certification with 100% on the examination and became Western Canada’s youngest Advanced Sommelier in 2016. He plans to sit the Master Sommelier Examination in 2019.
2018 WINE PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
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 key judges were Tom Doughty, Jay Jones, DJ Kearney, Iain Philip, and Jason Yamasaki. The top restaurants were awarded Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, or commended with an Honourable Mention. The Wine Program Excellence Awards are sponsored by Vancouver Magazine.
METRO VANCOUVER
Platinum
L’Abattoir
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
Burdock & Co.
CinCin Ristorante + Bar
Hawksworth Restaurant
Vij’s
Gold
AnnaLena
Chambar
Mak N Ming – Best New Entry
Mission
Mott32
Nightingale
Provence Marinaside/The Wine Bar
Savio Volpe
Tap Restaurant
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
Silver
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Fable Kitchen
Forage
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
PiDGiN
The Stable House Bistro
Wildebeest
Bronze
Le Crocodile
Homer St. Cafe and Bar
Tableau Bar Bistro
Tramonto at River Rock Casino Resort
Tuc Craft Kitchen
West Restaurant
Honourable Mention
Feast
The Mackenzie Room
Yew Seafood + Bar
WHISTLER
Gold
Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar
Silver
Alta Bistro
Bronze
Basalt Wine + Salumeria
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Gold
Agrius Restaurant (Victoria)
Silver
Nourish Kitchen & Café (Victoria)
OLO Restaurant (Victoria)
Honourable Mention
10 Acres Kitchen (Victoria)
Artisan Bistro (Victoria)
Ocean7 AQUA Bistro at Kingfisher Resort (Courtenay)
Pacific Prime Restaurant & Lounge, The Beach Club Resort (Parksville)
Unsworth Restaurant (Mill Bay)
BC INTERIOR
Gold
Emerald Lake Lodge (Field)
ALBERTA
Platinum
Cilantro (Calgary)
Gold
The Lake House (Calgary)
Vin Room Mission (Calgary)
Vin Room YYC Airport (Calgary)
Silver
Buffalo Mountain Lodge (Banff)
Deer Lodge (Lake Louise)
Rouge (Calgary)
Vin Room West (Calgary)
Stay in Touch
For more information, go to VanWineFest.ca
Facebook & Instagram: /VanWineFest
Twitter: follow @VanWineFest for news on tickets and sold-out events. Join the conversation at #VIWF.
ormation are at bardonthebeach.org.
