Top Table Restaurants Collect Top Honors at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival

Vancouver, BC – Firm affirmation of TopTable’s standing as an industry frontrunner was delivered last Friday during the 30th annual Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin and West each received a prestigious award in recognition of establishing one of the Festival’s top wine programs.

Blue Water Cafe and West were among only three restaurants overall to receive the top honour of the inaugural Platinum Award, introduced this year to recognize those wine programs which have excelled into an elite echelon of their own. CinCin and Araxi are among a distinguished group of 17 restaurants adorned with the Gold designation.

“This distinction will serve as an inspiration for our staff to continue to shine at
all aspects of the dining experience,” says Blue Water Cafe’s Wine Director
Andrea Vescovi.

“The award is a tribute, not only to our own dedication towards building our wine program,” adds West’s Wine Director Owen Knowlton, “but to the efforts of our entire team of sommeliers working in each restaurant as well.”

A panel of expert judges reviewed wine list submissions throughout British Columbia and Alberta, evaluating concise presentation and format, harmony with the menu, balanced varietal and style selections, and vintage depth. Each restaurant’s in house wine program, staff knowledge, storage presentation and glassware were also adjudicated.

TopTable’s wine libraries are also annually lauded with the ‘Best of’ Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, within a distinguished group of 13 other restaurants throughout
British Columbia.

Each TopTable restaurant employs a Wine Director responsible for leading their unique wine program and acclaimed collection, as well as ongoing educational initiatives, which weave the cultural and regional aspects of growing and making wine into intensive tastings, wine service etiquette, as well as food and wine pairings.

Blue Water Cafe, Yaletown
Wine Director: Andrea Vescovi
Assistant WD: Chris Van Nus
www.bluewatercafe.net

West, Granville Rise
Wine Director: Owen Knowlton
Assistant WD: Corey Bauldry
www.westrestaurant.com

CinCin, Robson Street
Wine Director: Michael Mameli
Assistant WD: Jamie Lauder
www.cincin.net

Araxi, Whistler
Wine Director: Samantha Rahn
Assistant WD: Pat Allan
www.araxi.com

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Media Contact: 
Shelley McArthur
Communications Director
TopTable Restaurant Group
t: 604.836.8005
e: shelley@toptable.ca