The Instructors
James Cluer MW
James 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 aged 18. Barely legal...
You can read more about James by visiting
Our Story.
Paul Gregutt - Washington State
Paul Gregutt is recognized as the leading wine writer in Washington State. He writes for the Seattle Times, Wine Spectator, Decanter, Wine Enthusiast magazine, and a host of publications in Eastern Washington. Gregutt's best-selling new book "Washington Wine & Wineries: The Essential Guide" is considered to be the best guide and review of the state's wineries.
We are thrilled that Paul has joined our team of first class instructors in WA. He has a relaxed, entertaining and humble style. And everyone loves it when he plays the guitar and sings tunes about 90 point wines! You can learn more about Paul at www.paulgregutt.com
Joel Butler MW - Seattle
Joel was one of the first Americans to pass the Master of Wine exams back in 1990. He is the Director of Wine Education for Chateau Ste Michelle, Vice President of the Institute of Masters of Wine in North America, a respected judge at the Decanter World Wine awards, and generally considered to be one of the leading wine experts in the Americas. Joel has worked in vineyards in Europe, worked as a wine buyer in the Bay area, and spent many years making wine and teaching WSET courses in Napa Valley. We're thrilled to have Joel run the courses with us in Seattle.
Matt Browman - Calgary
Matthew Browman is in line to become Canada's second Master Sommelier. There are
only 146 Master Sommeliers worldwide: a rare achievement in the wine industry. Browman
completed the ISG Diploma in 2000, the WSET Diploma in Toronto in 2002, and has
since completed the theory & service portions of the Master Sommelier exam in
London & San Francisco.
Currently the General Manager at Vinestone Wine Co. in Cochrane, AB, Matt has experience
as the lead judge for the Western Canadian Wine Awards, and has worked as the Sommelier
at some of Canada's finest restaurants such as the Queen's Landing Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario and North 44 in Toronto. He has lived in Calgary since 2002 working in wine
retail at J.Webb Wine Merchant as the main educator. His fourteen years of experience
in the wine trade include hospitality, retail, education, judging and journalism.
Matt has been operating the Calgary office of Fine Vintage Ltd. since 2006.
Lynn Coulthard - Multiple cities
Lynn Coulthard is a qualified expert in wines and spirits. Lynn holds the prestigious
WSET Diploma, equivalent to an undergraduate degree in wine and spirits. She is
a Certified Sommelier and has run the wine programs at Cin Cin and The Four Seasons
Hotel in Vancouver. She has also managed a retail store for Liberty Wine Merchants.
Her interest in wines and spirits started over twenty years ago working as a bartender,
when she learnt the art of making cocktails at some of Vancouver's hippest establishments.
Her interest led her to travel extensively to wine regions around the world, sipping
and learning along the way.
Currently, Lynn lives in Whistler and works for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch
and UBC to instruct courses on wine and spirits. Her fun, laid back and passionate
style is always a draw.
Brent Fraser - Multiple cities
Brent has over 15 years experience in the hospitality and wine business. He is currently preparing to sit the rigorous Master Sommelier exam, having already passed the MS Advanced level exam. Brent is a "cool wine guy" with a great sense of humor. He holds Diplomas from both the Wine and Sprit Education Trust (WSET) and the International Sommelier Guild (ISG) and has traveled extensively throughout the great wine regions of France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.. He is currently the Food and Beverage Manager and Head Sommelier for Grouse Mountain where he oversees a 550 selection wine list in the fine dining Observatory restaurant.
Neil Punshon - Vancouver
Neil is the wine buyer and GM of Kitsilano and Dundarave Wine Cellars, two of the best wine stores in Vancouver. He's been working in the wine industry for 10 years and is currently completing his WSET Diploma.
Neil spends his days tasting wines and meeting with the world's most famous producers - not a bad life! As such, he is one of the most up-to-date wine experts in the city and has a sharp palate.
Dennis Dwernychuck - Okanagan
Dennis has worked in the wine industry for 27 years. He is the senior Product Consultant at the LDB, and well known in the Okanagan for the numerous seminars he delivers on wine. Dennis fell in love with wine during trips to Germany, Italy and France. Since then he has travelled widely to other wine producing areas. In 1993, he became one of the first panel members to be certified by the BC Wine Institute for approving BC VQA wines. He is currently completing the WSET Diploma certification and has spent over 14 weeks doing WSET courses with James Cluer in the last 2 years.
Joe McLean - Okanagan
A recent addition to the Okanagan, wine educator, chef and author Joe McLean lived for many years in the south of France where he was an instructor at the University of Wine near Avignon. He has made wine in Alsace and visited all of the classic wine regions of France, and several other countries as well. He has also owned a negociant company and traded wine. In 1991 he was awarded a scholarship as the top student in the Canadian WSET higher certificate and went on to study at the Diploma level. Joe is a real expert on food and wine matching - just listening to him makes you hungry! He has closely worked with James teaching the WSET courses in the Okanagan and Vancouver.