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 , beer and spirits. So, let us introduce ourselves and share with you, our most memorable wine/whiskey experience (so far!).
Andrew
After 13 years working for KWM, first as a delivery driver and then as the store’s resident Scotch and whisky expert I purchased the business April 1 2015. In my time here I helped put KWM on the international map as one of the World’s top whisky shops. In March of 2015 Whisky Magazine awarded us “Highly Commended” or 2nd place for “Whisky Retailer of the Year – Single Outlet”. I’ve also built 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 honored. I used to operate my own whisky tour company, www.fergusonwhiskytours.com, taking customers on whisky tours in Scotland, Japan and Kentucky. 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 I am especially fond of skiing, hockey, mountain biking and triathlon. In October 2010 & 2011, I qualified for and competed in the Xterra (off road 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!
Chris
I have worked at KWM for several years wearing many hats, but mostly in the back office filling Web orders.
Best experience: Too many to pick just one. Wine, Whisky and Bourbon. Whatever Evan brings me to try- it's all an experience.
Terry
I have been working at KWM now for 6 years behind the scenes as the assistant for web orders & corporate gifting. In that time I have learned a lot. I definitely know that I love a good white blend and can even appreciate red wine now. I must admit though, that I am pretty partial to Aussie wine having lived there for 20 years of my life. I still have not embraced the scotch side of things though! I enjoy the theatre, a good puzzle, good friends and travel.
My best beer experience: Attending Oktoberfest in Munich in my earlier years, being invited on stage to direct the German Oompah band and experiencing my first stein of beer! That very heavy stein made it all the way through Europe and back to Canada with me!! Now that was perseverance!
Geoff
Geoff brings over 30 years of experience as a wine merchant and wine journalist to KWM. He has served (and continues to serve) as a wine columnist at the Calgary Herald for over 20 years and taught cooking classes that focused on food and wine pairings at the Cookbook Company for 20-plus years as well. He has travelled the world extensively as a wine journalist and was awarded a fellowship at Napa Valley’s prestigious Symposium for Professional Wine Writers based on columns that appeared in the Calgary Herald and City Palate Magazine. He hosts a radio show every Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM on CJSW 90.9 FM (the Road Pops) and feels that music, food and wine are all inextricably linked. As such he might recommend some Joni Mitchell to go with your Pinot Noir.
Harmony
My first drink of alcohol was whisky. WhiskEy, actually. Jack Daniels to be exact. On my 18th Birthday. Even though that night turned into overdrinking, I was an instant fan of this strong spirit! As I began my career in the wine and spirits business, I wasn’t taught a lot about whisky. In the beginning, I knew very little outside the fact that I loved the taste and trying different styles! Scotch, Rye, Bourbon, Irish. There’s a time and a place for it all.
I’ve learned a lot in my 10+ years of selling whisky and spirits. I try and stay humble, though. Every time I am tempted to “womansplain” something I find out there is still so very much out there to learn. The best part of my job is when I get to introduce people to a whisky that lights them up! It’s why I do what I do. I believe that there is a whisky for everyone. I will continue to break the stigma about women and whisky. I read. I teach. I taste new whisky as often as I can. I encourage all females, to push past the stereotype and drink the drink they love because the simple fact is, whisky is meant to be drunk, shared and loved by ALL!
I love finding people who are as into whisky as I am, and I am excited to be a part of a whisky world that has become more inclusive and open over the past few years. Whether you are an aficionado or just getting into the spirit of things, come see me at KWM!
Elijah
Eli tried to escape Kensington Wine Market once, but it didn’t stick. He is a survivor of the Restaurant industry, having cut his teeth (and fingers) working in kitchens. His excitement and passion for wine led him to the retail side of things. Eli has his WSET Level III and is planning to start WSET Level IV soon. Not happy with just working with wine, Eli is also our Beer lead and dabbles in spirits and non-alcoholic beverages as well.
For a hobby, Eli likes to run uphill over rough terrain for a long time over a long distance. Without being chased by a wild animal or a crazy fan or anything. Can you believe that?!? He also enjoys throwing himself off waterfalls and rapids in a kayak while living out of a car.
Eli enjoys many different wines, beers, and spirits – but at the end of the day, just inject Riesling into his veins.
Marnie
Marnie Harfield has worked in the wine and wine retail industry both as a seller of bottles and as a WSET instructor. She is also a yoga instructor. She found the secret to doing all three at the same time by arranging her life around a 36-hour day cycle, as opposed to the paltry 24-hour routine that the rest of us lazy simpletons live by. She enjoys the meditation and mindfulness that wine provides and the inebriation yoga leads to. Marnie is currently researching a way to combine both essential skills into one and also stretch into a 42-hour day cycle, which would allow her the freedom to take on a fourth profession.
She got into teaching wine when she was simply asked if she wanted to. That it was a real job, seemed fantastical. It has proven to be quite real and one of the reasons for extending her time continuum. In that space, she has also found time to travel for both wine and yoga. The highlight of her travels was, not surprisingly, Champagne. She's a bubbly sort of gal...
Stan
Let’s talk about my passion for wine! What started in Tuscany (see below) has propelled me into a journey of exploration. Trips to the Okanagan, which always involved learning about wine through tours and tastings, stirred in me a deeper desire to expand my knowledge about this complex and wonderful world. After three decades of managing and leading organizations, I left the corporate world and I am following this path to its conclusion. I started working on the retail side of wine in 2021, possibly making me the oldest "rookie" on the team. My intention, since completing WSET 3, is to continue my wine knowledge journey by completing the two-year Diploma program, while helping serve you at Kensington Wine Market. My pleasure is to help you have the best experience when selecting your wine! Cheers!
My favourite wine experience: My wife and I travelled to Tuscany to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We stayed in Florence for a few nights and planned to rent a car and explore the region. I knew nothing of wine at the time, so the notion of driving through Siena, on our way to Montalcino was completely random tourist luck. Once in the village, we sat in a castle and enjoyed a flight of Brunello di Montalcino along with other tasty reds. I consider this experience my first wine-tasting event, my first wine buzz (grew up in a restrictive culture), and a revelation of "terrior".
Shawn
Around 2002, I realized how bored I was with what was always advertised as "premium" beer. Every adjunct lager tasted the same and I wasn't enjoying drinking them. A friend and I decided that twice a week we would each buy two interesting-looking beers that we'd never had before. Over time we grew to know the styles, develop preferences, pick out flavours that none of our friends could taste, and really I just grew to love these small-scale, hand-crafted beers. Craft beer has been a large part of my life for 12 years now. My love for it has driven me to travel around, expand my palate with wine and spirits, explore the world of cooking, and even brew numerous batches of both beer and mead myself. My strong background in chemistry allows me to dive into the world of fermentation with an in-depth understanding and appreciation. Seeing the immense creativity of the world's best brewers fills me with inspiration for crafts and projects all of my own, and fuels me with an eagerness to share it all with anyone and everyone.
Best beer experience: Wandering around in the old part of Bamberg Germany in 2003, my companion and I happened upon an old brewpub. We asked for their house beer, and it turned out to be a smoked Urbock, and (unknown to us) they happened to be the brewery that pioneered that style. It was my first time even hearing of a smoked beer and it had a greasy, bacon-like taste. I could barely finish the pint, but it was a planted seed that grew into a major love for the style and the admiration of lesser-known regional styles.
Evan
I was first bitten by the Whisky bug at the ripe old age of 22. Years - nay, decades - have passed since. I now am permanently 29 and my enjoyment of the spirit shows no signs of letting up. Back then I was a young wanna-be Bartender. I was introduced to Single Malt Scotch by the manager at my first restaurant job. At first sip, I was hooked. My newly sparked interest led me to read books, scour the internet for more information, and most importantly visit shops such as Kensington Wine Market to see what was available as well as go to tastings to learn more. I spent nearly a decade working at the Calgary Petroleum Club and during my time there I also attended as many Scotch tastings as I could manage. Eventually, I ended up pouring Whisky for a variety of vendors at festivals and that opened doors, leading to where I am now. Follow your dreams, folks, and one day you too could fake your way into becoming a professional degenerate like me! Even though I do make whisky my main port of call I still make excursions into wine and beer from time to time.
Most memorable whisky experience: It is exciting to be in a position to meet some of the great personalities of the whisky world such as George Grant from Glenfarclas, Richard Urquhart from Gordan & MacPhail and the now-retired (?) Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich. Dealing with whisky day in and day out seems to make these people - as well as all of the whisky lovers I have been lucky enough to meet - a very personable bunch!
Nataliia
More than wine I only enjoy two things: traveling and mountains. What could be more perfect than sipping a glass of wine amidst the stunning landscapes of the Dolomites, the Alps, or the Rocky Mountains? Upon arriving in Canada, my passion for running was reignited. After a vigorous run, indulging in a glass of wine feels like a guilt-free reward.
My appreciation for wine blossomed during the time of Covid. As I delved into the wine world, I realized my desire to further explore and study it, a pursuit I continue to this day. While my favourite wine often changes, currently, I have a penchant for robust wines with cherry, plum, and blackberry notes from Italy (such as Amarone) or California Cabernet Sauvignon/Zinfandel. And, of course, Riesling holds a special place in my heart.
If you don’t like Riesling, try again, and again, and again, till you love it!
Because wine is a conversation that never ends and an art that knows no bounds!
Marty
After spending many years doing IT work for an accounting software company, and before that doing academic research work, I have worked at KWM since December 2005. I have learned a lot about wine, scotch and beer in the course of selling great products to our customers. Since December 2011, I have been the "Beer Guy" for the market, so I now concentrate on improving our extensive beer selection. Alberta is an excellent marketplace for beer variety, and many new products arrive monthly. One of my main challenges is to decide how to fit as big a variety of products as possible into a small space. Of course, rigorous product testing is required to improve product knowledge. Working at KWM also provides me with inspiration for future vacations, with possibilities of tasting local beer, wine and whiskies influencing where I decide to go.
Best wine experience: One memorable recent experience came while doing a hiking trip in the Douro Valley in Portugal. After a long day walking up and down the steep valleys and through vineyards, we ended the day at a beautiful manor house with little guesthouses around a pool. In our guesthouse was a carafe of rich ruby port to help wind down the day and relax before having dinner.
Sammy
Sammy’s love for whisky is only eclipsed by his strange and unrequited feelings for Absinthe. Don’t let that scare you though – he is also intrigued by Cider, Cognac, Armagnac, and Calvados.
Sammy has been a whisky lover for quite a while and originally joined KWM on a part-time/fill-in basis to be closer to the bottles. One thing led to another, and now he is stuck with us!
As a long-time whisky lover, Sammy belongs to multiple whisky clubs in Calgary and has been on a trip to Scotland with Andrew back in the KWM Owner’s whisky tour days.
When Sammy is not working at KWM, he moonlights as a driving instructor with vehicles of both the two- and four-wheel variety.