I'm currently finishing up my PhD in Food Technology at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Prior to this, I completed my MSc in Biotechnology specializing in Oenology and Viticulture at Brock University in St. Catharines. My thesis focused on sparkling wine and was titled, The impact of grape clone, yeast strain and protein on sparkling wine quality. While completing my Masters, I was a teaching assistant/lab demonstrator for just over two years teaching Oenology courses including: Introduction to Wines, Sensory Evaluation of Wine and Winery Processing and Equipment. I also hold a postgrad Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology from Brock.

Aside from learning about wine, I do also have experience in the hospitality industry. I hold a valid Ontario Smart Serve License. During my time in St. Catharines, I worked in retail at Inniskillin Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I also worked at The Wine Shop in Toronto before moving to New Zealand to start my PhD.

In my spare time, I have made an effort to visit all wine regions of New Zealand. I've expanded my knowledge of wine by travelling and would like to transfer that knowledge to a career in industry. I am looking forward to moving back to Canada upon the completion of my PhD. My goal is to apply all my skills I've gained over the years to a suitable science related job in the food and beverage sector.

Education : Bachelor and Masters degree in chemical engineering
Doctor of Medicine
currently a Nuclear medicine physician.

Completed. WSET. 1, 2., 3, French wine professional. course,
American Wine expert course.
WSET 4. diploma to start August 2022.
Currently Enrolled in UC Davis Winemaking Certificate Program
Hope to become an educator and try for the MW designation-
Also become a winemaker in when I retire and buy a vineyard.

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.

I have been working in the restaurant industry since I was a teenager! I came to Canada to pursue higher education, but I ended up abandoning my Bachelor degree in Psychology from York University when I fell in love with the action-, pressure-, interactive-driven of being a server. When I realized that I could build a career out of restaurant industry, I told my parents I did not want to further my academic education. I became more involved in wine education. I broadened my knowledge by taking WSET level 2 and level 3 as well as French, Italian, and Spanish Wine Scholar Guild. I am currently enrolled in WSET diploma program.

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.