Marisa

Have been in the industry for the past 12 years, working on the e-commerce end of the business. I first started my career at WineryToHome, as the Operations Manger, helping sourcing and curating wine packages for our Ontario Wine Club. I am currently the Manger of Partnerships at BlackSquare where I am responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of strategic relationships with corporate customers, marketing partners, winery vendors, and community organizations across all internal brands.

Natasha Samuels

I'm Natasha and I have always had a passion for wine and love exploring different flavour profiles. I am continuously expanding my palate and have a desire to share my passion with others. Currently, I am enrolled at George Brown College in the Wine Specialist Program. I would like to become a Wine Specialist while working towards becoming a Sommelier.

Recently, I created a virtual wine tasting event called 'Taste with Tash' where I host monthly wine tastings. I have had the pleasure to host these fun and informative events exploring different wines and various flavour profiles. It has been a privilege to expand my knowledge and be able to share what I have learned so far with those around me. I look forward to continuing to grow in this industry and learn from all of these amazing wine enthusiasts and professionals.

Jerome Christie

Follow me on my journey in to the world of wine. WSET 1 certification will be my first task.

Meseret Eastmure

I feel a deep connection to food and the ways we enjoy it, which has always been an important part of my culture and growing up in Toronto. I have been working in the service industry for 10 years and when I first discovered wine, I knew immediately it was something I would become passionate about. I am eager to start my WSET level 3 as a step towards furthering my knowledge and confidence in wine.

Helen Xu

Website:

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Helen is a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and well-rounded business professional who speaks English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Helen is also a Wine professional. Helen was awarded WSET® Level 1 in Wines in 2015, WSET® Level 2 in May 2016, and passed her WSET® Level 3 with distinction in December 2017. She is also a certified Canadian Wine Scholar and French Wine Professional by Fine Vintage Ltd. Recently Helen took advantage of the free time due to the pandemic and completed two online courses: Fine Vintage Food and Wine Professional and Fine Vintage Level 1 in Spirits. Currently Helen is pursuing the French Wine Scholar certification offered by the Wine Scholar Guild.

Helen enjoys analysing business needs and providing effective, efficient, and creative market-oriented solutions. For example, when Helen was the only analyst at Canada's (then) largest online food ordering company, she initiated and created a customer service chat monitoring tool. Within the first month of deploying this tool, the Customer Service team increased their chat response rate and average customer satisfaction by over 90 percent.

Helen aims to continue exercising her problem-solving and critical thinking skills in any challenges that may arise in her Wine career.

Srinivasa Velagala

I am affiliated with industry for over 17 years. I went to Hotel school in India to pursue my Hotel Management degree, where i learned about French culinary as well as hotel operations. I worked in India for about 5 years within Food and Beverage department from 3 star to 5 star luxury hotels. In 2012, i moved to Canada to study Food and Beverage Management at George Brown College, where i developed interest in learning wine. So far, i have WSET Level 2 and wanted to study Level 3 in 2020 but Covid halted my plans. Here in Canada i worked in almost all types of restaurants that serves different cuisines from Indian, Thai, Sushi and Asian Fusion, Spanish...etc. you name it i tell you.

Alicia Argul

Im Alicia, I was born in Argentina and I moved to Canada in 2012. I have two beautiful children, I have a degree in Marketing and I’m obtaining my certifications in education for children with special needs but wine, specially my beloved Malbec, is something that I love passionate.
I’m learning a lot, meeting many beautiful people in the industry and I hope I can do my best.

Jasneet Gaheer

After some time away, I am making every effort to break back into the wine industry and start my career!

Melanie Ferreira

Good Day
My name is Melanie Ferreira, I have spent my career in Hospitality industry.
The early years I spent as a pastry chef/ manager. In 2008 I opened my own Bistro in Toronto (Melanie's Bistro).
Over the next decade I paired up with many many Local Ontario Wineries and featured them in the Bistro.
My Love and Passion for wine has grown over the years, my education in wine making is informal and learnt mostly thru the reading and wine reps.
Currently I am the café Manager at the Young Centre For performing Arts in the Distillery District.
Along with the Senior Management we have made a change to feature only local Ontario wines.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge of wine with my customer and family and friends.
Given an opportunity to further my Education I would love to share this love , passion and education specially with Ethnic Restaurants where I see a huge potential to pair those flavor's and wines.
Thank you for your time.

Victoria Velazquez

I currently I am the Assistant Manager and Local Buyer at Kitsilano Wine Cellar. I started my wine journey long time ago with the WSET 1 & 2 but I didn't start working in the Industry until 3 years ago. I currently have the level 3 for WSET and followed with the Italian Wine Scholar Unit 2. I would like to continue my education with the Unit 1 of the Italian Wine Scholar and the French Wine Scholar.