WARNING: There are passionate, opinionated oenophiles on the premises! We may come from a diversity of backgrounds but one thing we all share in common is an unyielding interest and passion for wines and spirits. So, let us introduce ourselves and share with you our most memorable wine/whiskey experience (so far!).

Nancy
I am one of the founding partners of Kensington Wine Market and hail from La Belle Province where the enjoyment of good food and wine is never taken for granted. Add to this a Hungarian heritage, years (I won't say how many!) traveling and tasting the fruits of many cultures and you will know why my work is indeed my pleasure. Life beyond wine involves cooking, reading, writing and time spent enjoying the rewards of another sort, my family.

Best Wine Experience: Most recently, in the village of Rieux Minervios, at an incredible French family-run hotel ( www.auxquatsaisons.com) sitting in the garden one fabulously warm evening sipping rose while sharing travel and life experiences with David and Graeme, the owners, and their eclectic mix of guests. Quelle joie de viere!

Andrew Ferguson

I have been with the Kensington Wine Market since 2003, and I am the In-house Single Malt Scotch expert and co-manager. In my time here I have built Canada’s largest and most interesting collection of single malts and a reputation as one of Canada’s most trusted whisky experts. On April 11th 2011 I was inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich, the first Canadian retail expert to be so honoured. The Keepers are an exclusive and very secretive organization founded to recognize those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the international success of Scotch whisky! In addition to buying and selling single malts, I write a newsletter (The Malt Messenger) which is subscribed to by close to 5000 people, I conduct tastings, teach classes and guide tours in Scotland related to Scotch whisky (www.fergusonswhiskytours.com). I am also the President of a Calgary whisky club, The Companions of the Quaich, Calgary Chapter. A native of Calgary, I studied Military History at the University of Calgary. I spend much of my free time outdoors, and am especially fond of skiing, hockey, mountain biking and triathlon. In October 2010 I qualified for and competed in the Xterra (offroad triathlon) World Championships in Maui!

Best whisky experience? Sampling the White Bowmore 1964 ($4300) in the No.1 Vaults at the Bowmore Distillery on the Isle of Islay. The No. 1 Vaults are located below sea level along the shore of Loch Indaal, and are prone to flooding. More than 200 years of accumulated whisky fungus and salt stains give this earthen-floored warehouse the feel of catacombs, and when combined with the scent of maturing whisky casks, many over 40 years of age the atmosphere is spiritually intense. The No. 1 Vaults at Bowmore are possibly the most holy place in the world of whisky. And to have sampled the White Bowmore there was the experience of a lifetime! !

Christine
Born and raised in Red Deer, I came to Calgary in 1987 and worked in ticketing for the 1988 Olympics. I rermained in the event ticketing business for the next 19 years. Joining the Web , Corporate and Gifting department at the Kensington Wine Market happened quite by chance and began as a temporary position for the christmas season. Now they can't get rid of me!

Best wine experience? The first time I actually understood how food and wine can change each other. We were trying a sweeter wine and there happened to be a fruit tart that someone had brought in. I typically dont like sweets, and that held true when I tasted that particular wine. I took a small bite of the fruit tart and found I did not like that either. I inadvertantly tried to wash it down with the wine...WOW! It was amazing!

Gino
Being Italian, I believe that good wine and good food are the essential ingredients to "la dolce vita". My immersion into the world of wine occurred at the age of 5. My Nonno (grandpa) took a mug and scooped into an open barrel of wine then passed it to me. I remember having a taste or two...but that is all I remember! Since then I've been hooked.

Best wine experience? One of my most memorable wine experiences occurred recently at Easter, when I invited a group of friends over for dinner. We feasted on roasted lamb and matched it with a stunning Syrah from Spain...FINCA SANDOVAL. Now, that was good wine and good food! Buon Appetito.

Grant
I remember my first bottle of wine enjoyed in a restaurant in Vancouver; I was hooked and needed to know more. Travelling extensively with Nova Gas International expended my taste and knowledge for wine and food. Now I own an economic and regulatory consultancy specializing in the pipeline industry. This allows me to spend part-time hours at KWM, learning all the while.

Best wine experience? My wife and I were traveling through the Loire Valley, France. We stopped in a little town near Azay-le-Rideau Chateau to get lunch. The shop was closed, but the storekeeper was kind enough to open up just for us. With cheese, pate, a baguette and a bottle of Vouvray in hand, we parked our rental Renault on the banks of the Indre River, and enjoyed one of the best picnics in memory.

Lynn
I was born in Pennsylvania, raised in California, saw the light and moved to Canada 32 years ago. In 1993, I joined the Kensington Wine Market family and have never looked back! I can't imagine life without good wine, which has become an important part of my life over the past 16 years. When not working, my focus is fun and fitness. I love to run, ski, golf, hike and play tennis, all of which I do with my 2 grown children, my two faithful Labrador Retrievers and my active minded friends. I have run 7 marathons, which include Boston 2006 and 2007. It is possible, however to teach an old dog new tricks and in July, 2009 I became a cyclist and participated in the Cancervive Peloton Project (CPP) ride to San Jose, California, all funds raised benefiting Wellspring Calgary, a local organization providing support for Cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. We rode 2,000 km over a period of 9 days, and coordinated our arrival to participate in the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong Challange in San Jose.  In October of 2010, I will ride again with Cancervive, this time to Austin, Texas.   It doesn’t get any better than that!

Best wine experience? My most memorable wine experience too place 2 months after the ride to San Jose when Team 2 (my Cancervive team) had a reunion, popped the cork on a bottle of Gosset and toasted LIFE!

Lisa
Born and raised in Nova Scotia , I came out to Calgary for a visit….That was 25 years ago…I spent my time in the restaurant business and then was captured by the wine industry. Discovering wine opened my eyes. These are people, making wine with their own hands and nurturing every moment, from the vine to the bottle.. well, I fell in love…
I have been in the wine agency business and have now gone to “the other side” as we agents called it… retail. There is nothing better to talk to people about - wine and food. After all , we must eat , and if we must we eat, we must wash it down with something… wine sounds inspiring.. add a few food friends and hey, as a Maritimer, we have a party…

Best wine experience: the next one…….. .

Maggie
I am the California gal who went to University in Sonoma County and almost did not finish. Fortunately, I made it to the haven of Calgary where I can read California wine reviews (since I cannot afford to drink the wine anymore) in my snug Gore-Tex parka!

Best wine experience? I've tasted so many fabulous wines that it is tough to come up with one. Some of my favourite times have included a bottle of Amador County Zinfandel with a cutting board offering blue cheese, apples, walnuts and chocolate.

Marty
Having spent many years doing IT work for an accounting software company, I felt I needed to find something more stimulating and enjoyable (after all, it was accounting, not rocket science). When an opportunity came up to work at KWM, I thought it could be just what I was looking for. Working at KWM allows me to grow my knowledge of wine and spirits (and of course enjoy tasting as many as I can). My fellow staff members have proven to be very knowledgeable, and I continue to learn from them to improve my knowledge of wines and spirits so I can become confident answering customer questions like, “Could you recommend a good wine to go with a barbequed steak?” or “I’m looking for a nice Scotch”. Working at KWM also provides me with inspirations for future vacations, like perhaps going to Australia and visiting the McLaren Vale, or perhaps the Douro valley in Portugal – there are so many possibilities.

Best wine experience? For me, probably one of my best spirits experience came when I was visiting the Laphroaig distillery on Islay in Scotland with my wife, where I sampled the 30 and 40 year old versions of the whiskey among others. Wonderful, powerful, peaty. Could I ask for more? Well, maybe they could have donated the rest of the bottle to me for further enjoyment. Even now, having a wee dram of Laphroaig continues to remind me of that experience.

Michael
I was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, BC and moved to Calgary in November 2005. I spent 20 years working in the food and beverage industry in Vancouver. My wife arrived in Calgary before me and her first words were "you should get a job at KWM". Having been in fine dining most of my working life, I'm not a stranger to fine wines, but the knowledge of the staff I work with and the exclusive selection of wine and scotch at KWM is mind blowing. What a great learning experience. Away from work I like to explore all the hiking, showshoeing and cross-country skiing this part of the country has to offer.

Best wine experience? Boating through the canals of the South of France with five great friends and tasting as many Cote du Rhone wines and cheese as was humanly possible. My next wine-inspired travel adventure will be a trip to explore the wine regions of Italy.

Susan C.
Originally from Scotland, I arrived in Calgary in 2004 by way of Caracas Venezuela - yes you guessed it - my partner is in the oil business. We soon fell in love with all that Calgary and the Rocky Mountains have to offer and as of 2008 became permant residents. An ideal time for me to rejoin the working world - not that working at KWM seems like work - its too much fun!

Best wine experience? Sitting on the terrace of a Parisian cafe with a glass of chilled rose watching the world go by.