Ottawa's Premier Wine Appreciation Organization - National Capital Sommelier Guild - Ottawa’s Stacey Metulynsky and Sean Moher Named Wine Person of the Year

Ottawa’s Stacey Metulynsky and Sean Moher Named Wine Person of the Year

Sunday, 10 December 2006
The National Capital Sommelier Guild announced today that Ottawa’s leading wine team, Stacey Metulynsky and Sean Moher have been selected as the 2006 Wine Person of the Year. Almost every year since 1996, the Guild has honoured individuals who have made a significant contribution to the wine community of the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The National Capital Sommelier Guild announced today that Ottawa’s leading wine team, Stacey Metulynsky and Sean Moher have been selected as the 2006 Wine Person of the Year. Almost every year since 1996, the Guild has honoured individuals who have made a significant contribution to the wine community of the Ottawa-Gatineau region. This year’s winners, Stacey Metulynsky and Sean Moher are a highly praised, dynamic, approachable and prolific team and accomplished in their own right. They continue to work together through Groovy Grapes which Sean and Stacey co-founded in 2003 and which offers wine-related entertainment, education, event planning and consulting for home-based gatherings for family and friends, large corporate events, special events in hotels and restaurants. Groovy Grapes has become an important wine venture and is often featured in local media, helping to popularize wine among those who might not otherwise attend wine tastings. Stacey and Sean’s energy and passion for both education and entertainment have made them sought-after wine “ambassadors” by the public, with rave reviews on their site. One notable tribute is from Daniel Speck, VP Sales and Marketing of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery: “Every year Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery takes part in a number of events and the Canadian Wine and Cheese tasting that I did with Groovy Grapes stands out in my mind. I'm always looking for targeted opportunities to interact with everyday consumers and I liked the hip, casual but high-quality concept that they've developed.” Stacey is starring in the Food Network Canada show “This Food, That Wine”, which she co-hosts with Ottawa chef Angie McRae. The Guild held a gala last September to fete the premiere. Even prior to the premiere Ottawa Life Magazine named Stacey one of the Top 50 in the Capital list in 2006. Meanwhile, Sean has focused on the trade side. He coordinated and promoted a series of wine shows coming through Ottawa, including the first South African Wine Fair, and through Groovy Grapes, was a producer and organizer of Little Italy’s Vendemmia festival and Taste Little Italy Wine and Food Show. The 2006 Wine Person of the Year award was presented to Sean and Stacey at the Guild’s annual holiday gala dinner, held this year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Recipients of the award are selected based on advancing consumers’ knowledge as well as that of the region’s wine trade, establishing standards of excellence in the trade and developing the wide range of professional skills required by those in the trade. Previous winners include Halina Player, Natalie Maclean, sommeliers Véronique Rivest and Cesare Santaguida, writers Peter Ward, Michael Botner and Rod Phillips, educator Vic Harradine, Guild co-founder Philip Nicholson, and His Excellency, John Ralston Saul. Established in 1993, the National Capital Sommelier Guild is a non-profit, member-run organization dedicated to the appreciation of fine wines and spirits and to the advancement of professionalism in all aspects of the sales and service of such products. Reflecting the broad perspective and interests of its members, the Guild offers a diverse program of well over fifty events annually. Each focuses on some aspect of theory, tasting and/or service, all in a comfortable and relaxed setting. They include regular advance tastings of Vintages releases, regional and varietal tastings, co-operative sponsorship of special events with other wine or trade organizations, and events exploring the marriage of wine with diverse cuisines.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 December 2006 )

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