Vinica Education Society is a not-for-profit society incorporated in British Columbia, Canada, focussed on diversifying the wine industry through innovative education and professional mentorship. We support people that are passionate about wine, but are experiencing systemic barriers to participation and advancement, develop into leaders in the industry.
Directors
Vinica is managed by a dedicated, volunteer board of directors:
Vinica’s President and Chief Operations Officer Chris Mann is a winemaker located in Kelowna, British Columbia. Chris has a BSc. and a Winemaking Diploma from UC Davis. After considerable success as a cider make and winemaker at several Okanagan wineries, Chris now works in non-profit leadership at the YMCA. Chris is also a graduate of Vinica’s Equity in Wine Leadership Program.Vinica’s Past President and Chief Learning Officer Arnica Rowan is a partner in Terroir Consulting, a Canadian agency supporting wine producers and regions across the globe. She writes for several global publications and is a contributor to the 5th edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine. Arnica has a B.Com, MA, WSETDiploma and is a Master of Wine student and LLAg agrologist registered with the BCIA. She speaks English, German and French.Vinica’s Chief Documentation Officer Trina Plamondon is the founder of Carpa Vino. She is a wine consultant, wine educator and wine writer. Trina holds WSET 3 with Merit, Canadian Wine Scholar, Food & Wine Pairing, is a BC Wine Ambassador, and a Certified Project Manager Professional with a Degree in Special Education & TESOL. Trina is also a graduate of Vinica’s Equity in Wine Leadership Program.Vinica’s Chief Financial Officer NickyChan is also a graduate of Vinica’s Equity in Wine Leadership Program. More bio to come…Vinica’s Chief Culture Officer Karen Chapman is Coast Salish from the Cowichan Tribes located on Vancouver island. Karen has been a flight attendant for the past 24 years. When she is not flying the friendly skies, you can find her in the vineyard, tasting room and helping out in the winery at Black Market Wine Co in Kaleden. She’s a BC Wine Ambassador, holds WSET 3 and was one of the first graduates of Vinica’s Equity in Wine Leadership Program.Vinica’s Chief Production Officer Karnail Singh Sidhu is the winemaker and owner of Kalala Organic Estate Winery, in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Karnail is an organic viticulture advocate, a sought-after viticulture consultant and the proud winner of a myriad of wine awards. Karnail is originally from the Punjab in India, and is fluent in both Punjabi, English and Hindi. Vinica’s Chief Innovation Officer Paulo Brammer is the founder of Eno Cultura, Brazil’s foremost wine and spirits academy. Formerly head sommelier for a three Michel-starred chefs, Paulo now focusses on wine research and innovation, and was awarded Educator of the Year by both WSET Global and Wine Scholar Guild. Paulo holds a WSET Diploma, is a wine judge for Decanter UK, and speaks Portuguese, Spanish and English.Vinica’s Chief Mentorship Officer Janik Livera is the Hospitality Manager at Maverick Estate Winery, located in Oliver BC. Janik has a diploma in Culinary Arts, a BFA, and a Masters of Divinity. After a successful career in urban hospitality, he transitioned to the rural life and now mentors students in their own careers. Janice was born and raised in Sri-Lanka. Janik is a mentor in Vinica’s Equity in Wine Leadership Program.Vinica’s Chief Sommelerie Officer Ana Gallegos has a BA, is a certified sommelier, holds a WSET Diploma and is a Master of Wine student. Ana is the founder of Ana Wine Co, judges international wine competitions, contributes to international publications, and works a manager at the Société des alcools du Québec, in Montreal, Canada. Originally from Mexico, she’s fluent in Spanish, French and English.Many thanks to Mayu Takasaki, Japanese language and culture professor at UBC Okanagan, who was a founding member of our board for the first several years, and still continues to support our work.Many thanks to Sarah Buffet, proud member of the Métis Nation of BC and MA student, who was a director 2021-2023 and our Program Director for 2021/2022. We are so grateful for her vision and contributions.
