About
Growing up, I always had a curious nature. I was fascinated by different places, people and cuisines. At a young age, the travel bug bit me hard and I found such immense joy in discovering new cultures through food and drink.
One particular trip in my early 20s took me to the Loire Valley in France, where I was introduced not only to my still-favourite grape, Chenin Blanc, but more importantly, to a different way of thinking about wine; a slowed-down, holistic approach that considered geography, history, the environment and passionate people. I was smitten.
Full of vigour and with a purpose, I returned to Canada and began my lifelong journey with all things fermented and distilled. To me, food and beverage is the greatest unifier, and 15 years later I am so grateful to be sharing my passion with people who enjoy it as much as I do.
-
Rebecca is a Toronto-based multi-certified wine professional who holds Diplomas from both the International Sommelier Guild and The Wine and Spirit Education Trust.
Passionate about education, Rebecca has taught at Conestoga College and is currently a Professor at George Brown College School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Forever a student herself, Rebecca’s next goal is to become a certified fromager.
Rebecca's time working in wineries in France, Spain, Niagara, and the Okanagan Valley helped her to gain a deep appreciation and understanding of viticulture and vinification, and her experience with some of Ontario’s top restaurants helped to hone her craft as a Sommelier and hospitality professional.
-
Level 4 Diploma, Wine & Spirt Education Trust
Level 1 Saké, Wine & Spirt Education Trust
Sommelier Diploma Program, International Sommelier Guild
-
Wines of South Africa
Wines of Chile
Wines of Portugal
California Capstone
VQA Appellations Certificate
Testimonials
I've had the pleasure of being Rebecca's student both at George Brown and as a private WSET tutor for several years. She makes learning wine interesting, approachable and fun; I always find myself looking forward to our time together. Her knowledge is unparalleled, both of winemaking but also of many different aspects of the industry. I cannot recommend her enough for anyone taking WSET or other wine certifications. She's truly the best!
– Carly C.
“I don’t have enough good things to say about Rebecca ! Our experience with her and her service was so seamless, so enjoyable, so insightful. She came into our office to take us through a private wine tasting for 15-20 people - she went above and beyond before, during and after the whole tasting. The wine selection was perfect, it was conversational and exactly what we were after. Alongside this, we were able to put a tailored charcuterie board together with the thoughtful, detailed food pairing suggestions she sent us in advance. She’s engaging and dynamic when she talks, everyone left the evening fully content with a new array of wine knowledge. Can’t wait to plan our next tasting with Rebecca.”
— Sally H.
Our enjoyment of wine has grown and expanded thanks to Rebecca. Through her monthly and holiday packages and special requests, she has helped us explore wines from regions we would not previously have considered. The tasting notes help to round out the delight of her packages arriving, creating an at-home food and wine experience! Thanks to Rebecca, we keep sippin’ the good stuff.
— Cavan H.
My friends and I had an amazing time with Rebecca at a recent wine tasting event at my home. Each wine that she chose was better than the last - and each wine was unique, delicious and came with a great story. She also provided food pairing suggestions with the wines ahead of the event, and the food she suggested matched perfectly with what we were drinking and really enhanced the experience. The group was a mix of wine novices and long-time aficionados, and we all agreed that we learned something and discovered a new favourite wine (or two). Rebecca is knowledgable, personable and a lot of fun - she really knows her stuff. Before the night was over, we were already talking about when we would book another tasting event with her. I highly recommend Rebecca!
— Lisa C.
I love getting Rebecca’s wine selections because they usually become favourites. I not only learn about winemakers I might not otherwise hear about, I also discover grape varietals I’ve not had the chance to try. Her notes that accompany the wines are detailed, thoughtful and fun to read - like getting a postcard from your smart and savvy friend while she’s on vacation! Rebecca puts so much thought and care into wines she selects for clients, and she does it in a smart and knowledgeable yet approachable way.
— Andrea J.
“Rebecca is a sommelier extraordinaire. She is not only a professional with an extensive knowledge of wines from around the world, she is also great fun. Our family has called on Rebecca for a few special events. The first was a Christmas/New Year gathering of friends and family. She quickly read the room and fit right in with our laid back atmosphere with a group of 14 people from 20 - 52 years old. Rebecca brought a great mix of red and white wines and a nice sampling of food for pairings. It was great fun as we tried to guess the wine origins and grape varieties. This is where her breadth of knowledge shone through as equally as her ability to manage the group and keep us on track in a way that maintained the relaxed atmosphere. A fantastic evening. Rebecca was fully booked when we called on her again, so she prepared a shipment of wines and the accompanying scripts detailing the aspects of each bottle so we could manage the tastings ourselves. While it was not the same as having her in person, she made sure we had what we needed for a successful evening. She followed up a few days later to see how it went. Such a nice touch. We've since placed a number of orders from her wine club as well and have never been disappointed. Rebecca is such a lovely person who brings the right mix of fun and entertainment, as well as an ability to share her knowledge and passion for wine. We would call on her again for any occasion.”
— David B.
As a wine enthusiast, I’ve always loved exploring new flavours and expanding my palate, but don’t always know where to start. Rebecca’s wine clubs have me covered and have truly exceeded my expectations. Each month she curates a handpicked collection of wines from around the world that showcases a wide range of varietals, regions and styles. The selections are always exceptional. 10/10 would recommend to the casual wine drinker, the most experienced sommelier and everyone in between.
— Gage F.
I've been getting Rebecca's wine club over the years - the variety is awesome, and such a welcome, refreshing change from what you can get at the LCBO. The write-ups that she provides for each wine are amazing; they're relatable and witty - I often find myself reading them aloud to my family and friends when we open the wine. Her wine club is a great option for anyone looking to get exposure to new and interesting wines. The packaging is also awesome, so it's also great as a gift for any wine lover!”
—Campbell K.
“I never tire of listening to Rebecca speak all things wine! As one of my wine educators at George Brown College, it was clear that Rebecca has a breadth and depth of knowledge and the ability to make the intimidating world of wine accessible to all. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all there is to understand with wine, but through her steadfast encouragement, Rebecca has inspired me to continue the wonderful pursuit that is wine exploration.