Our Story

James Cluer MW began his career in the wine trade in 1988, working for an importer in Hong Kong. After attending a number of tastings he got hooked, and took his first WSET course at age 18. Barely legal...

After University, he headed for Bordeaux and landed an apprenticeship at Milhade et fils. He worked the vintage in 1993, picking and treading grapes, and cleaning out barrels - putting his BA to good use...

Eight years later James was still at Milhade but now in charge of global exports to 18 countries. He traveled the world meeting buyers, visiting other wineries and making contacts with key players in the wine industry. He also began studying wine and in 1997 completed the WSET Diploma.

In 1998 James enrolled in the Master of Wine (MW) program. The MW is considered the pinnacle of professional qualifications in wine. Since the first MW exams in 1953 there have only been 270 successful candidates. To prepare, James began working vintages at wineries in Australia and California, and touring more wine regions.  Eleven years later, James became a Master of Wiine.

James and Sondra own and operate Fine Vintage, and spend their days running the WSET schools, looking after their consulting clients, running wine tours and wine clubs and writing for magazines.  They live in West Vancouver with their 2 kids, Alexis and Max.

Fine Vintage Ltd. is an Approved Program Provider for the UK-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust, recognized as the gold standard in wine education. The WSET offers 3 internationally recognized wine qualifications - Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced wine studies. Fine Vintage operates five WSET wine schools in Canada.