Vinica Education Society is delighted to award a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) scholarship to Terroir Consulting’s Master Tasting Class series to the deserving and inspiring Eliana Bray!
Sponsored by Terroir Consulting, the scholarship is intended to support an individual who has aspiration in the wine industry, but might otherwise experience systemic barriers to attending this Master-level class.
Eliana is the Executive Manager of Roche Wines, on the Naramata Bench of BC’s Okanagan Valley. Eliana is an adopted, full-status Kehewin Cree Nation member from Alberta. She moved to the Okanagan in her early teens from Fox Creek, Alberta, where she was in French immersion and had a great love for music. She plays the flute, piano, and guitar, sings an Alto and in her early years, planned to be a music therapist.
Her first career, however, was as a trained chef. Then she started her wine career at Mission Hill Winery. Eventually, Eliana moved to Vancouver to become a music therapist, but ended up working for Rhys Pender MW at Mark Anthony Wine Merchants stores, which have since become Everything Wine.
Eliana became a Certified Sommelier through the ISG (International Sommelier Guild) and WSET Certified (Level 3 of Wine & Spirits Education Trust). She moved back to the Okanagan, which is now her home. As Roche Wines’ current Executive Manager, Eliana focuses on management and marketing.
A life-long learner, Eliana is currently enrolled in the WSET Diploma program. She delights in being surrounded by wine all day, and spends her days learning about the wines around her:
“Knowledge is my sustenance and education my goal.”
