Sommelier Showdown: Kelowna
Celebrate the art of food & wine pairing, through the lens of some of the industries finest wine professionals.
THE EVENT: Two leading Sommeliers compete to pair the perfect wine with each course at a decadent 4-course dinner. You vote to pick the winner, who proceeds to the final showdown.
WHERE: La Bussola, 1451 Ellis St., Kelowna, BC
THE DINNER: Reception with canapés, 4-course dinner, and 9 beautiful wines.
WHEN: Round 1 – June 7, Round 2 – July 12, The Final Showdown – August 16, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
THE SHOWDOWN
The sommelier’s mission is to pair the perfect wine with each of the 4 courses designed by La Bussola’s Chef Lauretta Coccaro. Your mission is to be the judge. Using your smartphone you will vote for whichever wine you felt paired best with the dish. The votes will be tallied, culminating in a winner. The winning Sommelier from each of the first two dinners will proceed to the showdown on August 16, 2026, where the final winner will be crowned.
THE DINNER
At 6 pm we begin with a reception of bubbly and canapés. The 4-course dinner will begin at 6.30 p.m. with introductions to each Sommelier and the Chef. Since 1974, La Bussola has been a cornerstone of Kelowna’s dining scene, proudly serving traditional Italian cuisine. Come and meet other food and wine lovers at this exceptional celebration of food and wine.
YOU VOTE
Bring your smartphone so you can vote for the best paired wine with each course. Votes are tallied electronically and the results revealed after each course, culminating in a winner.
Kelowna Dates
ABOUT SOMMELIER SHOWDOWN
The Venue
La Bussola
Since 1974 La Bussola has been proudly serving traditional Italian cuisine in downtown Kelowna, made with love, passed-down recipes, and a passion for hospitality. It is located at 1451 Ellis St., Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A3, Canada.
The Food
The night begins with a pre-dinner reception, with sparkling wine and canapés. A 4-course dinner is then served showcasing the Chef’s talents. We cannot accommodate allergies because everyone needs to taste the exact same food and wine for the votes to be fair.
The Wine
You will enjoy 9 different wines during the evening. There are two different wines served blind with each course, wine A and B. You pick and vote for your favourite. The wines are revealed after each course and the Sommelier who picked the winning wine explains their choice.
The Format
Doors open at 6 pm for a reception. Enjoy some canapés and bubbly while you mingle with other guests. At 6:30 pm you will be seated and we will introduce the event and the two competing sommeliers. With each course, two wines are served blind. Simply pick the wine that pairs best with the dish and vote. Then all will be revealed!
The Finale
At the final event on August 16, 2026, the winners of the first two events will compete for the crown in the grand finale of the Sommelier Showdown Kelowna.
All sales are final and non-refundable but you can transfer your booking to someone else for free. Just give us the new names for our reservation list. We cannot accommodate allergies as everyone needs to taste the exact same food and wine for the votes to be fair.
Meet your sommeliers
