TRR Jan 11 2025 – This is Wine School & BC Wines Direct to Alberta
hello
This is Wine School – Kelcie Jones and Jenna Brisco wine educators
And
BIG NEWS: BC Wineries can now sell directly to Alberta consumers.
The Guest is Paul Sawler. Board Chair Wine Growers of BC. Plus sales & marketing for Dirty Laundry.
THE SHOW
This is Wine School
Smaller, funny and essential wine school in Chinatown with outstanding educators.
The guests are
Kelcie Jones – The Best Sommelier in BC 2023
As a perennial student of wine, Kelcie holds the WSET Diploma, 3IC Italian wine certificate, and is a Stage 2 student with the Institute of Masters of Wine. She teaches WSET courses to novices and industry professionals alike and leads BC Wine Ambassador courses locally. For the past half-decade, Kelcie was Wine Director for Chambar Restaurant in Vancouver, where she managed a team of sommeliers and led them to several Platinum Awards at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.
Following that, she opened Elephant on Powell as GM and wine director, which was featured in the Michelin guide and Air Canada’s En Route in its first year. Outside of wine, Kelcie holds a Master’s in English Literature from the University of Toronto
Jenna Brisco – Partner and Educator
Jenna has a diverse background in the wine industry, spanning hospitality and business consulting. She earned her WSET Diploma in 2018 and now teaches the programme in Vancouver. She also completed the WSET Educator Training Programme in 2019. Jenna is the Project Director for Top Drop Canada, a terroir-focused wine festival, and serves as an international wine judge. A student in the Master of Wine programme, she became a VinItaly Italian Wine Ambassador in 2018.
Her sommelier experience includes work at Vancouver’s Hawksworth and Elisa, as well as London’s Medlar and Lorne. For over 10 years she was the General Manager of Café Medina in Vancouver. In 2016, Vancouver Magazine named her a top front-of-house ‘All-Star’ for her work there.
Jenna is currently the Technical Director for the Best Sommelier of British Columbia and has helped curate the Best Sommelier of Canada competition. Best of all, she is a new Mom. Congratulations.
I was fascinated by This is Wine School. From the title alone.
But I had also worked with Kelcie at Van Wine Fest and judged with Jenna at Lt Governer’s Awards. It felt like a good fit. So much so that I’ve asked if they would co-host with me at this years Van Wine Fest.
Along with their third partner Maude Renaud- Brisson, who’s currently in Spain.
Kelcie and Jenna explain the courses and how it all came together. We also talk BC wine in general including the state of BC wine heading into 2025.
BC Wine/Alberta wine fans. – Finally, a hug and a handshake.
Our guest is Paul Sawler. Board Chair BC Wine Growers & leadership at Dirty Laundry (Summerland)
Dirty Laundry Vineyard
BC wineries can now ship Direct-To-Consumer in Alberta!
Starting this week, BC wineries who register can sell into Alberta; report and make payment to AGLC for the wine products they sell directly to consumers in Alberta.
Paul Sawler
Alberta is a huge market for BC wineries, so it is about time that the AGLC caught up, to allow this mutually beneficial relationship.
Al Hudec and I advocated against Alberta’s blockade of BC wine one year ago. This is great news for BC wineries and growers. Hello Alberta wine fans!!!
Paul Sawler takes us through the process that achieved this partnership.
It took top level government teams on both sides of the Alberta/BC border get this right.
We thank those involved and Paul and the board at Wine Growers for speaking on our behalf.
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
The Hatch
Van Wine Fest
Fort Berens
Victoria Whisky Festival
Hester Creek
