BJ OudmanBJ Oudman is a western Canadian freelance writer with interests in an active lifestyle, travel, food, and beverages from coffee to cocktails. She left her professional career as a physical therapist in Calgary, Alberta after 30 years to spend her time in Vancouver and the Okanagan. She has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She has her Level 2 ISG certification as well as BC Wine Ambassador Levels 1 and 2. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter @bjoudman. Her personal website is at https://lifedonedifferent.substack.com
Erin KorpistoErin Korpisto is a self-described 'Okanagan girl' who, after many years spent working in architecture and traveling abroad, decided to come back to the Valley to work in the wine industry. She has worked as an assistant winemaker, in tasting rooms, and has worked two crush seasons. Erin now work part time in wine sales and part time in architecture, balancing two of my passions. She completed my WSET Level 3 certification, passing with distinction! She also teaches the Wine Sales and the Wine Server program at Okanagan College. Twitter: @vinesanddesigns
Karen GrahamKaren has been involved in the BC wine scene since 2000. She got her start in a management role at Cedar Creek in Kelowna, and then ran her own marketing consulting business from her home base in Vancouver for the next five years, delivering projects for such clients as the BC Wine Institute, the Canadian Wine Awards / Wine Access, and New Zealand Winegrowers. While her day job has taken her in other directions since then (public policy analysis and government relations), she finds she can never truly walk away from the grape – or the great people in the industry. Striving to combine her real life and her wine passion, a few years ago she co-authored a chapter on policies that support sustainable wine tourism in the Pacific Northwest for an Australian academic publication. Having recently re-discovered her inner muse (or that found in an excellent Pinot Noir), she is delighted to be an occasional contributor to WineMonkey.ca on the business, regulatory and policy aspects of the BC and Canadian wine industry.
Karl KliparchukKarl is the creator of MyWinePal (www.mywinepal.com) and a former president of the South World Wine Society in Vancouver, BC, and a fixture at local wine trade events. He has also enrolled in the internationally recognized wine education courses offered by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), completing the Intermediate, and Advanced certificate courses. With the Advanced course, I received a “Pass with Distinction”, which is the highest level for this particular certificate. I have worked for Mark Anthony Group, which represents the Mission Hill Estate Wines, Prospect Winery and Sonora Ranch, to name a few. I am serious about wine and love to share my experience with you.
Kim LawtonKim Lawton is the founder and owner of DogLeg Marketing & Business Solutions. She set up her business in Summerland in July 2006, so she could move back out west to be close to her family and the mountains. Educated at the University of Calgary, she has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, majoring in Marketing and Human Resources. As a marketing consultant and business writer, Kim leverages 10 years of successful business experience in international corporations including Pepsi-Cola and a division of Colgate-Palmolive, called Hill’s Pet Nutrition and almost 5 years as a Partner with a Toronto-based consulting firm that specializes in building strategic partnerships, conflict management, and effective negotiation skills. Kim is passionate about her work and her goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives and businesses.
Mari KaneMari is a writer, blogger and WordPress consultant, living in Vancouver, BC, the most wine-soaked town north of the 49th Parallel. She also blogs about blogging at http://blogsitestudio.com.
Mark HickenMark Hicken (www.winelaw.ca) is a Vancouver lawyer providing a full range of legal services to the wine industry through his own law practice, Vintage Law Group. Mark has a B.A. (Honours) from UBC and a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He is a member of the Law Society of B.C., the Canadian Bar Association, the International Association of Wine Lawyers (Association Internationale des Juristes du Vin) and the American Society for Enology & Viticulture. He has also completed the Wine Executive Program at the University of California, Davis. Mark is also a member of the advisory board for the BC Hospitality Foundation and is an associate member of the Import Vintners & Spirits Association.
Mike KlassenMike is a communications and public affairs professional in addition to being a BC wine industry booster. He and his wife Stacey launched the BC Wine Lover brand in 2007 to share stories about their experiences with people, places and wines on their BC wine country travels. In 2015, Mike was hired as Executive Director of the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, and undertook a comprehensive industry-wide consultation involving hundreds of stakeholders to reform regulations governing wine-making in B.C. The resulting recommendations were overwhelmingly endorsed through a plebiscite, and are leading to the creation of new sub-appellations in the province.
In addition to his blog, Mike’s articles on BC wine have been featured in Huffington Post, Vancity Buzz (now Daily Hive), and Vancouver Sun. Mike now works for BC Care Providers Association as Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, and continues to be engaged on the future of Canada’s wine industry.
Stacey FruinStacey Fruin is an avid cyclist, a self-described alternative 80's Chick, as well as a mom and a proud BC wine industry booster. She captained Team Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in the 2009 Ride to Conquer Cancer from Vancouver to Seattle, repeating the ride in 2011. Stacey also rode in the 2009 & 2010 Bicycle Trek for Life from Vancouver to Chilliwack, BC and back. When not thinking about what dishes she might conjure up in her kitchen, she spends time with husband Mike and her daughter Sophie. Stacey is also the co-author of the definitive guide to the practice and procedures of basic BC company law.
Town Hall BrandsTown Hall Brands is a full service agency specializing in wine, food and hospitality. Services include strategy, branding and graphic design, packaging, media relations, social media, and special events. We aim to work with clients and present projects that inspire and celebrate the good life.
Want to contribute to BC Wine Lover? Send us a note.