ABOUT

Kate’s Wine Diary was created as a personal project for myself to help document my studies and compile my tasting notes as I prepare for my CMS-A Advanced Sommelier exam. I do my best to provide detailed commentary that will ultimately help me organize and assimilate the information needed to succeed in my examination and in all aspects of my career moving forward.

My background in hospitality is relatively brief and I suppose you can say I fell into it, as many of us do. I spent my 20s, having dropped out of university, riding horses professionally, and when I left the equestrian industry in 2018 I found myself at loose ends. Having decided to return to university, I also wanted to fill my spare time with some sort of part-time job. I worked in a retail store for a short while before a friend of mine invited me to work with her as a host at a thriving French bistro. I enjoyed it, plus I happened to be very, very good at it. From there, the pandemic threw a bit of a wrench in things and ultimately in October of 2020 I left my position at the restaurant and was then unemployed for approximately 18 months.

In March 2022 my former manager reached out with an opportunity. Another French restaurant, recently purchased by a chef-friend of his, was looking for a management candidate and he brought up my name. I accepted the opportunity and went on to manage that restaurant for approximately 7 months, where I also took on the task of revamping the sadly neglected wine list and beefing up the beverage program. I had never enjoyed work so much before and found that tasting wine samples and experiencing the excitement and depth in excellent wines was entrancing. A friend nudged me to apply for a restaurant sommelier position at a private country club, and almost two years later I’m still here and loving every minute of it. In January of 2023, I passed my CMS-A Introductory Exam followed by passing my CMS-A Certified Sommelier Exam in December 2023, where I received the Walter Clore Award for the highest score in my exam group.

Join me as I prepare for my Advanced and let’s taste some wine!