Araxi’s Samantha Rahn Named Sommelier of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Samantha Rahn named 2013 ‘Sommelier of the Year’

Vancouver, B.C. (Friday, March 1st, 2013) – A passionate sommelier and world traveler, Araxi Wine Director Samantha Rahn has won the Vancouver International Wine Festival’s 2013 Sommelier of the Year Award. Nominated from the top sommeliers in British Columbia and Alberta, and voted on by a wide cross-section of industry professionals, the award represents the highest level of achievement in Western Canada.

Samantha exemplifies the modern sommelier in her approach to tasting, sourcing, and educating our staff and guests. With formal training from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and over 15 years of hospitality experience, Samantha is well known for procuring exciting, value-driven wines to complement Araxi’s extensive cellars.

“We are absolutely delighted that Samantha has been recognized,” said Toptable Group proprietor Jack Evrensel. “Samantha is enormously talented, and passionate in ensuring the enjoyment of every guest whom she serves. This award, coming on the heels of the VIWF Gold Wine List Award for Araxi, is truly representative of a very dedicated professional.”

“It is an honour to bring this award home to the mountains,” Samantha said at the Awards Luncheon today. “This award is very much about our entire team at Araxi and my wonderful colleagues who have supported me over the years.”

Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin and West saluted at the Vancouver International Wine Festival

Toptable Group’s wine lists were once again well recognized at the 35th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival. In attendance at the Awards Luncheon were Toptable Wine Directors Samantha Rahn of Araxi and CinCin’s Dave Marchand, as well as Andrea Vescovi of Blue Water Cafe, and Owen Knowlton of West, who were both previously awarded Sommelier of the Year in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

Blue Water Cafe was awarded the highest Platinum Wine List Award, while Araxi, West and CinCin each were among a distinguished group to win the Gold designation.

These prestigious awards are the culmination of a remarkable year for Toptable’s wine programs, including a series of winemakers’ dinners featuring notables such as Kosta Browne, Antinori, Township 7 and Maison M. Chapoutier. Toptable’s Wine Directors also successfully collaborated with Foxtrot Vineyards this year on the introduction of The Waltz, a 2010 Pinot Noir available exclusively at Blue Water Cafe, Araxi, West and CinCin.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Lynn Gervais
Communications Director
Toptable Group
lynn@toptable.ca
604 836 8005

April Penney
Communications Coordinator
Toptable Group
april@toptable.ca
604 786 0540