Wine wasn’t part of my upbringing. Though originally from Colombia, I’ve called Montréal home for most of my life. Some time ago, a chef invited me to assist him at a private event. That night, the host — a gentleman with a vast wine collection — opened an iconic, aged Napa bottle and offered me a glass as a thank-you. When the chef asked me what it tasted like, I said: “It tastes like velvet.” He smiled and said, “You speak like a seasoned sommelier.” Right then, I understood that food and wine were far more than mere nourishment — that realization changed everything.

From that moment, I dove in wholeheartedly, immersing myself in education and experience while working in the industry at the same time. Since then, I’ve earned a variety of certifications through WSET — covering wine, regions, wine chemistry, and sake — including becoming a certified Sake Educator through WSET London in 2019. I also studied tea as a natural complement to my love for beverage culture.

With international experience across the field, I take particular joy in crafting thoughtful wine menus and training staff in the art of pairing food and wine. Above all, I’m passionate about learning — and sharing both the little I know and the much I continue to discover each day.