Wine Courses in Toronto

Matt is one of our best instructors in Alberta. Young, dynamic and engaging, you would be hard pressed to find someone more knowledgeable. In 2016, Matt completed the WSET Diploma and was accepted into the Master of Wine programme as a candidate. He has also achieved his Certified Sommelier certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

A native Torontonian, Matt made the permanent move to Calgary in 2012, after several years abroad working in hospitality. It was through this travel and work experience in Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia that his passion for all things vinous flourished. Propelled by his persistent inquisitiveness about all facets of wine, his adventurousness and love of travel allowed him the good fortune of visiting many of the significant and emerging wine countries and regions around the globe.

Thanks to this education, Matt joined the illustrious team of instructors at Fine Vintage in 2015.

As well as instructing for Fine Vintage you will find him managing a fine-wine retail shop and aiding some of Calgary’s most prestigious restaurants to curate wine lists and hosting staff training sessions. His passionate and upbeat teaching style will surely captivate and engage as you learn more about this beautiful entity called wine.

When he is not working or studying, which isn’t often, you’ll find him at his drum kit or enjoying a glass of sparkling wine.

Nupur is passionate about all things wine. While she has travelled extensively across the globe, a cooking trip in Italy ignited an interest in learning more about wine. Fast forward 10 years, Nupur is now in Stage 2 of the Masters of Wine Program, has completed Levels 1, 2, 3 and Diploma of WSET and holds a Spanish Wine Professional Certificate from the Ocea Mae Institute. Nupur also has a Doctorate degree from the University of Toronto and has extensive teaching experience across a wide range of fields and venues.

Nupur has over 20 years of experience working in the food and beverage sector. She currently divides her time working with a wine import agency and a local winemaker. She recently started her own wine label - Khush Wines and has made 5 wines under the brand. She has traveled to numerous wine regions in every continent that produces wine, including countries such as Chile, South Africa and even India, along with numerous trips to France, Italy and Spain. She has also done harvest in parts of Spain and Chile.

Nupur is also one of the founding members of Vinequity, a non-profit organization that supports mentorships, scholarships and advocates on behalf of BIPOC people in the wine industry. Nupur firmly believes in making wine accessible to all and her approach to teaching is a reflection of that philosophy - wine should be a joy - to learn, to taste and to share!

Writer, Judge, Wine Critic, Educator, Sommelier. Sara is one of the stars of the Ontario wine scene and highly respected by her peers. She is President of the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers and writes for several prestigious wine publications. But it is her beautiful relaxed teaching style that makes her courses so engaging as well as educational.

Sara is a Toronto-based wine consultant, educator, sommelier, wine critic and principal partner with WineAlign.com.

She has worked in cellars both in Niagara and in Bordeaux, France. Sara formerly held the title of Sommelier of Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto and at the Platinum Club of the Air Canada Centre.

She writes freelance for a number of publications and travels extensively reporting on classic and emerging wine regions. A graduate of the University of Toronto and Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture technician program, she continues to participate in judging wine competitions across the country and abroad such as Argentina and Portugal.

Currently, and is an instructor of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust program in Toronto with Fine Vintage Ltd. With a global perspective, Sara’s paramount focus is on southern French wine regions and she is an accredited Rhône Valley Vineyards Educator.

Derek is the owner and operator of All The Right Grapes Inc., a boutique importer of wines and spirits from predominantly Spain and France. After a career in financial services Derek made the switch to ‘wine’ in 2008 with a buying position at the LCBO and then with an Ontario winery and import agency. He started his own agency in 2016. Derek has been teaching WSET courses since the early 2000’s and obtained his WSET Diploma in 2009.
His wine journey began in Spain when working there on assignment. Rioja and Sherry have become a serious passion and Derek is recognized as an industry expert in both. Having grown up in The Netherlands, Derek spends lots of time in Europe, especially in Spain and France where he travels regularly and stays up to date on the latest developments from his favourite wine regions.
His agency is the leading importer of Sherry wines in Ontario. He is an ‘OXicial Sherry Educator’ accredited by the Consejo Regulador of Jerez.
Further credentials include Spanish Wine Educator and French Wine Scholar as well as the holder of a Bordeaux Master Certificate.

Ben Plisky-Somers co-owns bossanova wine & beer - one of Ontario's premier, independent bottle shops, as well as a wine bar and import company, located on Toronto's vibrant Roncesvalles Ave. Ben's teaching style aims to blend expert insights with a genuine lack of snobbery.

Ben holds the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma, is a Spanish Wine Scholar and Certified Sherry Specialist. He is also a judge for the Ontario Wine Awards and was Treasurer of the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.