Kelowna home to Canada’s Top Young Sommelier, for second time

A Kelowna resident is heading to an international sommelier competition after winning the Canada’s Top Young Sommelier contest making him the second local to win the contest in a row.

Grant Bronconnier won the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Canadian National Competition in Calgary in two stages on Feb. 22 and April 26. Last year, Kelowna’s Maxwell Brayer took the title of Top Young Sommelier at the contest.

The competition tests sommeliers between the ages of 21 and 28 on their wine theory, knowledge of spirits and other alcoholic beverages, practical service and tasting abilities.

Bronconnier will be heading to Geneva, Switzerland to compete in the International Chaine des Rôtisseurs Young Sommelier Competition.

He has a diploma in wine as well as double diplomas from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in business and culinary arts. Bronconnier is also a Red Seal Chef. He’s been working at Tantalus Vineyards in South Kelowna.

The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an International Association of Gastronomy with nearly 21,000 members in more than 75 countries that has these sommelier competitions each year.

Bronconnier will be representing Canada in Geneva from Sept. 10 to 14.

The local chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is having its Kelowna Polo Classic on Saturday, June 28.