CAPS Ontario is pleased to announce the winner of this year’s Best Ontario Sommelier Competition held at The Fifth Grill and Terrace in Toronto on April 22, 2012. Bruce Wallner, MS was the first place winner at the competition and will be going on to represent Ontario at the national competition in Halifax on September 17th and 18th of this year along with the winner of 2010, Will Predhomme of Canoe Restaurant.
Bruce Wallner was certified as a Master Sommelier in London, November 2009.
In 2000, he became the initial Chef Sommelier of Palazzo Versace, where he designed and executed a beverage training program that pushed the sommelier profession to the forefront of hospitality in Australia. Shortly thereafter Bruce moved to the UK to spend five years serving as Chef Sommelier for the legendary Hotel du Vin – the first Sommelier from outside of France to do so. Now based in Ontario, he dedicates his time to helping young sommeliers develop their skills through the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers and helping diners explore the endless delights available from wine. Bruce adamantly believes in the Sommelier’s role as the direct connection between the wine producer and the consumer. He likes to drink Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah and anything else that touches the soul.