On Friday at the Celebrating Excellence: 19th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring South America, presented by ContainerWorld, the Vancouver International Wine Festival revealed the winners of the 2023 trade competition.
The Celebrating Excellence program is part of the three-day Trade Days conference and acknowledges wine and food culture professionals in the region. The event featured a meal prepared by Vancouver Convention Centre executive chef Nandakishore Rangan, paired with a selection of 20 South American wines.
Kelcie Jones, co-owner of This is Wine School, won the Sommelier of the Year Award, which recognizes sommeliers who excel in pairing wine with food and providing exceptional service. The BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers organized a hands-on competition to select this year’s winner. Kelcie completed a BA and MA at the University of Toronto, held various sommelier and wine director positions in Vancouver, and now runs This is Wine School, which provides WSET and alternative wine education in Chinatown, Vancouver, and beyond.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival also presented the 2023 Spirited Industry Professional Award to John Bishop, who made a significant contribution to wine sales, service, or promotion in British Columbia. Additionally, the festival awarded the 2023 Terry Threlfall Scholarship to Chris Turyk, Sales & Marketing Director of Unsworth Vineyards, to recognize his commitment to leadership and mentorship in the British Columbia wine trade.
The following restaurants/businesses are awarded the 2023 Wine Program Excellence Award Winners:
METRO VANCOUVER
Platinum
L’Abattoir
AnnaLena
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
Chambar
Elisa
Hawksworth Restaurant
Nightingale
Gold
Bar Gobo
Botanist
CinCin Ristorante + Bar
Dachi – Community Hero
Elephant – Best New Entry
Published on Main
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
Silver
Burdock & Co
Savio Volpe
Bronze
Forage
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
Tap Urban Cafe
Honourable Mention
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio, Ambleside
WHISTLER
Gold
Alta Bistro
Silver
Bearfoot Bistro
Il Caminetto
Bronze
Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar
Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar
GREATER VICTORIA
Gold
The Courtney Room
Bronze
10 Acres at the Pier
Fathom, Hotel Grand Pacific
Honourable Mention
Boom + BattenALBERTA
Gold
Major Tom Bar (Calgary)
RGE RD (Edmonton)
For more info, please visit VanWineFest.ca
Featured photo by Chambar Restaurant
