2025 Judges

Benjamin Isaksen

Ben has, for the last 20 years, been involved in the Okanagan wine industry in varying capacities. He focused on wine when he finished the ISG's Sommelier Certificate and moved to the Okanagan. Not long after, he switched gears toward wine science and went back to school for a BSc in Biochemistry from UBCO. He furthered that with the Online Viticulture and Enology Certificate from UCDavis. During his time in the Okanagan, he has moved from Sommelier for the Steakhouse at Big White to Vineyard Supervisor/Cellar Assistant for Osoyoos Larose to Filtration/RO Technician for Cellar Dweller to Lab Technician at Okanagan Wine Lab. Currently, he is a Lab Technician for BC BTAC at Okanagan College and leads their beverage development division. When not at work, you can find Ben playing chef or working in his yard.

Geoffry Moss

Geoffrey Moss earned his Master of Wine in Fall 2020, after completing his research paper on factors affecting wine club attrition. He lives in the Okanagan Valley, where he is the Principal of Lithica Wine Marketing, a boutique agency that helps wineries develop effective, customer-centric business and marketing strategies. An avid writer, Geoffrey is also a wine critic and contributor at Gismondi on Wine, and has previously been published on Jamie Goode's WineAnorak and Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages. He is also the co-owner of Søren Wine, a boutique negociant wine label.

Grant Bronconnier

Grant Bronconnier is a red seal chef and a holder of the WSET diploma in wines. His passion for both the culinary and wine worlds has earned him national recognition, most recently being named Canada's top young sommelier. Grant currently works at Tantalus Vineyards in British Columbia, where he continues to refine his craft. He will go on to represent Canada at the prestigious international young sommelier competition in Geneva, Switzerland

Billie Joyce Helmkay

Billie Joyce is an educator and student of wine. After an extensive background in both front and back-of-the-house in Fine Dining and Catering, Billie moved into wine retail as GM and buyer of several large stores. She also spent the past seven years with BonusBev, a small wine and Spirits Distributor in Nashville TN, in sales and the last two years as Director of Operations and Portfolio Manager. Ms. Joyce received the WSET DIPLOMA in January 2016, followed with two years studying in the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine. She spent 3 harvests assisting the original winemaker at City Winery Nashville and holds a certificate in viticulture. In 2020, After years of running a wine education company called Thru the Vines on the side, Billie decided to commit all her energy to her company where she focused on consumer and industry education, consulting in the retail and restaurant space, as well as vineyard management. After almost 20 years working in the ‘business of wine', Billie recently moved to the Okanagan Valley BC, with the desire to keep learning; wanting to experience working in a wine-growing region. She currently works at Peak Cellars in Lake Country BC.

Mike Lee

Mike is a Kelowna-based wine educator. He completed his WSET Diploma in 2011 and teaches the WSET wine programs as well as many other courses for Fine Vintage. He also teaches the Wine Ambassador Level 2 program for the Wine Growers of BC. Mike has extensive knowledge of the Okanagan wine industry having previously worked for both Mission Hill and Quails' Gate as part of their sommelier teams. He has judged at Okanagan wine competitions and has visited many of the world's great wine regions.

Andrea Jittler

With a foundation in hotel management from Switzerland and a lifelong passion for wine, her journey began with an early immersion in French wines during a family tour in 1988. She refined her expertise while living and working for 4.5 years in Italy's Piedmont region at a Michelin-starred restaurant, later building extensive hospitality experience in the restaurant industry in Whistler and on Vancouver Island.

A career pivot into aviation broadened her professional skills, but the arrival of her son inspired a return to my true calling—wine. She went on to complete WSET Level 3 and earn the Italian Wine Scholar certification. In 2017, she joined Tightrope Winery as Tasting Room Manager, where her role has grown to include wine club management and overseeing diverse aspects of winery operations, continually blending hospitality, leadership, and deep wine knowledge.

Bobby Faurot

Bobby Faurot is the co-founder of Somm Zero Inc., a Canadian leader in premium non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wines. His mission is to expand choice and elevate the experience for those seeking exceptional alternatives to traditional wine.

Bobby began his wine career in Vancouver as a sommelier at the Shangri-La Hotel, refining his expertise in world-class hospitality. During this time, he earned his French Wine Scholar certification and began his WSET journey. He later moved to the Okanagan Valley, where he achieved his WSET Diploma and BC Wine Ambassador Level 2 while serving as Wine Educator and Events Coordinator at Peak Cellars—an experience that deepened his enduring love for British Columbia wines. Bobby went on to join Andrew Peller Ltd. at Grey Monk Winery, representing one of Canada's most recognized wine brands. Today, through Somm Zero, he draws on his extensive industry knowledge to curate and share outstanding non-alcoholic wine experiences with a wider audience.

Karen Yeung

Over 25 years in wine and grape industry in BC, Karen loves playing with dirt and tasting wines.

 

John Glenn

John is a BC-based wine professional and Co-Founder of Somm Zero, a company dedicated to premium non-alcoholic wines and spirits. He recently completed his diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), he also had the pleasure of travelling extensively through many of the world's most renowned wine regions, deepening his knowledge of global viticulture and winemaking practices. Over the past 4 years he has been actively involved in the British Columbia wine industry and can bring a unique and inclusive perspective to his role as a judge at the BC Wine Awards. He has had the pleasure of working as a volunteer at the awards over the past 2 years, tasting through some of BC's finest wines. He enjoys bridging traditional wine expertise with a modern approach to beverage appreciation, along with an experienced pallet for both BC and International wines. He is am honoured to be a part of the awards for 2025!

Luigi Coccaro

Luigi Coccaro is a wine lover, educator, and restaurateur dedicated to making wine more approachable, exciting, and fun. Born and raised in Kelowna with deep Italian roots, Luigi is a WSET 4 Certified Sommelier and the passionate force behind some of the city's most beloved establishments, including La Bussola, Gather, The Curious Café, and Franco's Liquor Store.

Alex Viol

Alex started his journey in wine shortly after emigrating to Canada from the UK in September 2020. Since that time, he has worked in a variety of roles at different local wineries including Mission Hill and O'Rourke's Family Estate, and currently at Sandhill Urban Winery, all while continuing his formal wine education - having completed his WSET Diploma in May 2024. In 2023, Alex co-founded Somm Zero, a local BC import/distribution business operating across Canada, specializing in premium quality non-alcoholic wine & beverages.

Barb Wild

Barb fell in love with wine in 2009 during her extended career in specialty food and product commercialization in the grocery channel. In 2011, she completed the Award of Excellence in Sustainability Management at UBC (Continuing Studies) followed up with WSET Level 2 & 3 completing Level 3 in 2012. After years working within the liquor store world, in January 2018, she shook hands with Steven Spurrier at Guildhall in London where she received the WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) Diploma after passing one of the most challenging wine courses in the world. She now dedicates most of her time to writing, travelling and hosting blind tasting events like the BC Wine Tasting Challenge (TM).