Alexander Gabriel Moreno is a Filipino-Canadian hospitality professional, spirits researcher, and future importer based in Vancouver, BC. Driven by a desire to reconnect a younger demographic with the beauty of terroir and fermentation, his journey spans local fine dining floors to immersive spirits study in Kagoshima, Japan. Currently pursuing WSET Level 3, Alexander leverages craft, process, and modern design to demystify wine culture, creating inclusive spaces for young adults while advocating for greater BIPOC representation across Canada's beverage landscape.

RCHELVIE MBIELO

After completing my studies in winemaking and viticulture, I am now finishing my WSET diploma. I have always been in my element working in farm work and I would now like to deepen my knowledge on a theoretical and sales point of view. I am looking forward to making more harvest and pruning in the future after having done both in Canada and Italy.

I am a child and youth worker currently working at The Reach Out Center for Kids in the Halton region. Here I support children and youth with mental health struggles by facilitating groups that focus on self esteem, emotion regulation, social skills and disordered eating prevention.

Life-long learner.
New to the wine industry.
Love wine and food pairings.

MAY 2023 - SEP 2023
Beverage Director/ Event Manager/ Office Administration, Hampton’s Aristocrat, Westhampton Beach, NY
Optimized payroll and client relations, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Developed innovative beverage solutions, enhancing event experiences and vendor partnerships.
Ensured smooth coordination among staff, vendors, and clients for flawless event execution.
Handled administrative tasks and curated wine pairings to complement event menus.
Managed administrative duties while creating bespoke beverage solutions, enhancing client satisfaction.
Crafted unique beverage strategies, elevating event experiences and fostering strong vendor partnerships for exceptional service delivery.
Orchestrated seamless coordination among staff, vendors, and clients, ensuring flawless execution of high-profile events.
DEC 2022 - NOV 2023
Wine Consultant/ Event Coordinator Westhampton Fine Wine, Westhampton Beach, NY
Led personalized wine sales, boosting client satisfaction and repeat business through tailored recommendations.
Managed social media accounts, significantly increasing followers and engagement.
Organized in-store tastings, enhancing customer interest and driving sales.
Analyzed customer preferences to tailor wine selections and optimize social media strategies.
Collaborated with the team and suppliers to create unique tasting experiences.
MAY 2021 - DEC 2022
Wine Consultant, The Tipsy Duck Wine Co., Eastport, NY
Analyzed sales trends to optimize wine inventory, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing stock inefficiencies.
Developed creative in-store event concepts, boosting customer engagement and driving measurable increases in sales revenue.
Implemented data-driven strategies to track financial performance, identifying opportunities for growth and cost reduction.
Fostered strong relationships with suppliers and customers, facilitating seamless inventory management and personalized wine recommendations.
Conducted comprehensive market research to identify emerging wine trends, informing strategic inventory decisions and enhancing product offerings.
APR 2020 - MAY 2021
Cashier, A Grape Pear, Eastport, NY
Handled cash drawer operations and organized wine inventory, ensuring smooth daily transactions.
Delivered personalized sales experiences, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction.
Implemented effective inventory management strategies to boost store efficiency.
Cultivated strong customer relationships, leading to measurable increases in sales performance.
EDUCATION
JUL 2022 - AUG 2022
Level 2 Certificate, International Wine Center, New York, NY
NOV 2023 - PRESENT
Level 3, Napa Valley Wine Academy

Dede is a Jack of All Trades born in Vancouver, BC. They came back to hospitality in 2024 as part of the opening team at Civil Works, a cocktail bar by the same owners as Civil Liberties, while at the same time working at Burdock Brewery. They were awarded the WSET 2 last January and plan to pursue further education.
Outside of hospitality, Dede writes about pop culture and music and has been published in Chatelaine, Xtra Magazine, and Exclaim among other publications. In their mind, wine offers embodied storytelling elements in how the people and the land come together.

We provide end-to-end industrial automation services from initial engineering and design through installation, programming, and commissioning. Our team develops customized control panels, PLC systems, HMI solutions, VFD applications, and electrical control systems for complex industrial operations. We also provide repair, refurbishment, calibration, and preventive maintenance services to help keep equipment operating reliably. With extensive industry experience, we understand the importance of minimizing downtime and maintaining consistent performance. We work closely with customers to understand their requirements and deliver solutions that balance functionality, reliability, scalability, and cost. Our integrated approach supports efficient automation throughout the project lifecycle.

Get In Touch
Phone: (403) 720-0277
Website:https://controlinnovations.ca/
Email: info@controlinnovations.ca

Learning and tasting as much as i can during my young adult hood

I came to wine sideways. My first degree was in telecom engineering, and my first love was tea — I grew up with it, in a family where taste was something you paid attention to. Wine found me later, and it asked the same questions tea did: why does a place taste like itself? I still don't have a full answer. That's mostly why I'm still here.
For the past six years I've been learning to make wine at Niagara College's Teaching Winery, where I also teach — which mostly means learning in public. I teach the World of Wine program at UofT as well, taste for VQA Ontario. After DipWSET, I am slowly unfolding te journey of Master of Wine, which I'm approaching the way I approach everything: over-prepared and slightly nervous.
I share my passion to wine and tea through Similar Minds, a small tasting community in Toronto and Niagara. If you want to compare notes over a glass or a cup, I'm easy to find.