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Each year, the NCSG honours an individual who has markedly contributed to the wine community of the Ottawa-Gatineau region. This year, the Board of Directors of the Guild is proud to announce the selection of Antonio Mauriello as the 2009 Wine Person of the Year.
 Born in Rome, Italy and raised with food and wine as a base to his Italian culture, Antonio arrived in Canada in 1997 to join his Ottawa-born wife, Nina. Antonio was accredited as a sommelier by the Associazione Italiana Sommelier of Rome, Italy in 1995. Soon his passion for wine led him to open DiVino Wine Studio, a business that strives to be recognized as a leader in delivering wine and food education and entertainment that stimulates communication, social gathering, passions, and healthy habits. DiVino is one of the first in Ottawa to serve wines in tasting portions matched with small portion foods ‘Italian Enoteca’ style.
In addition to operating Divino Wine Studio, Antonio engages in wine education seminars, organizes wine and culinary events for private groups and conducts annual tours to Italian wine regions.
Antonio has been an instructor at the Algonquin Sommelier Certificate Program for five years and is extremely well liked by his students demonstrating an approachable view of wine, his specialty being Italy. Antonio is a past director of the Guild where he was active in developing, organizing and running tastings, as well as helping other directors with their events and wine selection.
The Guild could not be more pleased to award Antonio, a most deserving recipient, the Wine Person of the Year Award.
Past winners of this award are His Excellency John Ralston Saul, writers Peter Ward, Michael Botner and Natalie MacLean, educators and writers Vic Harradine and Janet Dorozynski, Guild co-founder Philip Nicholson, Halina Player, Sommelier Véronique Rivest, Ottawa Citizen wine columnist Rod Phillips, Stacey Metulynsky and Sean Moher of Groovy Grapes and Natale Lofaro, LCBO product consultant.
Antonio Thanks the Guild Dear President, Board of Directors, and Members,
I feel honoured and humbled to have received the “wine person of the year 2009” award at the National Capital Sommelier Guild’s NAC gala on Sunday, December 6, 2009. My gratitude will stay forever in my heart, as my passion for wine will. This same passion strongly steered my life path and made my life’s dreams possible. Thank you for marking this path with an unforgettable moment. It is very much appreciated.
The elegant duck decanter that I received as a gift from all of you will be filled only with my best Brunello di Montalcino and Barolo!
Warm regards,
Antonio Mauriello, Owner, Sommelier AIS, DiVino Wine Studio and Enoteca
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