New Master of Wine from the Okanagan
There are only four in B.C., seven in Canada, 60 in North America and 396 across the world.
They are Masters of Wine, the highest vinous accolade on the planet.
Ross Wise, winemaker at Black Hills Winery in Oliver, is the latest to earn the esteemed title.
To even be accepted to study under the Institute of Masters of Wine, winemakers, sommeliers, buyers or brokers have to have another wine-related diploma or bachelor degree, have been working in the industry for three years and be willing to pay for and devote lots of time and effort to the three-year program.
The program requires thousands of hours of tastings and critical analysis and evaluation of wine on your own, mandatory days of school around the world, 12 exams and a final research paper of 6,000 to 10,000 words.
“It has allowed me to greatly expand my horizons in the wine industry and connect with so many passionate wine people across the globe,” said Wise.
“It’s been an intense program and requires a lot of hard work and commitment. I have been very lucky to have so many people supporting me throughout the journey.”
Wise is originally from New Zealand, where he worked at
Crossroads, Felton Road and Grove Mill wineries.
He earned a bachelor of viticulture and advanced diploma in wine science from Charles Sturt University in Australia.
After moving to Canada, he made wine for Flatrock, Keinthe, Rosewood and Good Earth wineries in Ontario.
Migration west brought him to Phantom Creek Winery in Oliver for two years before joining Black Hills, part of the Andrew Peller conglomerate, which also owns Okanagan wineries
Sandhill, Peller Estates, Gray Monk, Wayne Gretzky, Tinhorn Creek and Red Rooster.
The three other Masters of Wine in B.C. are wine judge and writer Rhys Pender of Kelowna, who also operates the Wine Plus school and consultancy; Marcus Ansems, owner of Daydreamer Wines in Naramata and an international winemaking consultant; and Barbara Philip a Vancouverbased European wine category manager with B.C. Liquor Sores and an international wine consultant, judge and writer.