Our Team

Michelle enrolled in the International Sommelier Guild's intro to wine course as a hobby, which quickly into a passion. She completed her Sommelier Diploma with ISG soon after and began working in some of the city's best wine bars, including a stint as the head sommelier at The Chase. She joined the NPW team in 2015 where she quickly became an integral part of our operations.

Her favourite wines right now are all iconic wines: 
Mauperthuis Chablis, Chateau du Moulin Noir Montagne Saint Emilion, Réva Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC

Ian started his journey in hospitality more than 20 years ago, and developed a passion for wine and food while working as a chef for eight years. After earning his sommelier diploma from the International Sommelier Guild, he began his career as a somm at some renowned Toronto establishments, including the iconic Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar, George Restaurant and many more. Ian joined the NPW team in 2016 and has been a great ambassador for wine culture, sharing the experience of our ever-growing portfolio – and his unbridled passion – with our clients. 

Ian's current faves in our portfolio:  Gilvesy Furmint, Aviron Côtes de Brouilly, Tornatore Etna Bianco, ​Pearce Predhomme Cinsault/Syrah (a favourite among somms in the city!)

Taryn has had a love affair with wine for as long as she can remember. Realizing quickly that this love affair could turn into a career, she completed the ISG Sommelier Diploma program (alongside fellow NP team member Michelle Ratzlaff). Her sommelier career began at some of the city’s most prestigious private clubs, The York Club and Rosedale Golf Club. During this time, she also received the sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and hopes to continue down that path to one day becoming a Master Sommelier.

A few of her favourites: Cortonesi La Mannella Rosso di Montalcino, Pearce Predhomme Pinot Noir 

Having relocated to The Blue Mountains/Collingwood area from Toronto a number of years ago, Kearney definitely noticed the area was a hot spot for oenophiles. With more than 20 years experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry and a passion for all things wine, food, travel and people, selling wine was the next logical step. He spent many years behind the bar throughout some of Toronto’s most beloved restaurants, where he developed a deep love and understanding of wine and spirits. When not selling wine you’ll find Kearney spending time with his family and furthering his wine knowledge through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust programs.

Favourites from the portfolio: Mauperthuis St. Bris, Tornatore Etna Bianco, Grains D'Estuaire Cuvée Emma, Keint-He Portage Pinot Noir — all great value wines!

Olivia is a WSET Level 4 Diploma candidate with a background in marketing and design. After graduating with a B.Com from McGill University, Olivia built a successful career in the technology sector where she grew start-up companies into multi-million dollar businesses. One day, her passion for wine led her to work at a leading winery in beautiful Okanagan, and subsequently, one of Canada's largest wine and spirits distributors, before joining the nimble team at Nicholas Pearce Wines. Olivia is one of the founding members at Vinequity. Outside of work, you can find her advocating for the BIPOC wine community, writing about digital trends and wine, and discovering the bicycle trails in Ontario. Her favourite wines in the portfolio are anything from Loire's Château de Parnay, Jura's Domaine Baud, and South Africa's Mullineux.

Amelia comes from rural Nova Scotia, where what started as a summer job at a winery turned into a lifelong passion. She came to Ontario to get a diploma in Winemaking and Viticulture at Niagara College, completed a WSET 3, and hasn't left the province since. Over the last decade, she steeped herself in many parts of the industry: sales, hospitality, production, viticulture, and management—sometimes all at once. She has been integral in crafting many award winning wines in Canada. When she's not sipping wine, you can find her in her garden, cooking, or hanging out with Guinness and Bacon, her two dogs.

Sarah has always been passionate about how food and wine can bring people of all cultures and lifestyles together. This passion led her to work in kitchens for about 8 years, where she stumbled upon an amazing world of wine during a ski season out in Whistler, and decided to spend a summer at a winery in the Okanagan Valley to turn her love for wine into a career. Upon returning to her home, Ontario, Sarah completed her CMS exam and worked at some of Toronto's leading hospitality-focused restaurants, including Richmond Station and taking on the Head Sommelier position at Giulietta.

Outside of wine, you can find her woodworking, mountain biking, and hanging out with her pal, Hank the miniature dachshund.

Sarah's favourite wines from the portfolio are are:
Punset Barbaresco
Lighthall Chardonnay
Vinatigo Listan Negro
Pearce Predhomme Cinsault/Syrah