Dawn Schultz, Sommelier
“Wine captures the true essence of the vineyard, the vintage and the work put into it so much, it can transport you without the travel. I love that.”
Dawn Schultz is a highly respected sommelier and wine expert based in Vancouver, Canada. With Sommelier Certification through the International Sommeliers Guild and The Wine Scholars Guild, she has built a reputation for her extensive knowledge and passion for wine.
Dawn has worked in various esteemed restaurants and wine establishments, curating wine lists and educating staff on wine service and appreciation. As a wine consultant, she has helped numerous restaurants and wine programs develop and improve their wine offerings, ensuring an exceptional wine experience for customers.
As a wine educator, Dawn shares her expertise through workshops, seminars, events, and articles in local publications. She has a talent for making wine approachable and accessible to everyone, from beginners to seasoned wine enthusiasts. Her areas of expertise include wine and food pairing, wine regions and appellations, wine styles and grape varieties, wine service and etiquette, and wine education and certification.
Dawn is active in the Vancouver wine community, promoting wine education and appreciation. She has worked as a wine director, consultant, and educator, and has written articles and spoken at events, sharing her knowledge and passion for wine with others.
“My career has spanned over more than a decade and in that time I have been exposed to all manner of skills from fine dining training to professional sake making. It’s this exposure that drives me to learn all and everything about the industry and pass that knowledge on others so they can better themselves, the public and the industry as a whole.”
Awards:
Terry Threlfell Legacy Scholarship, BC Hospitality Foundation, March 2024
Member of Les Dames d'Escoffier since 2020
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Bronze Medal, Sonora Resort 2018
Wine Spectator, Award of Excellence, The Tyee Room, Sonora Resort ~ 2018
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Honorable Mention, Ocean7 & Aqua Bistro Wine Bar 2018
Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year 2018
Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarship recipient 2016, 2017
BC Hospitality Foundation 2017 Sommelier Scholarship recipient
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Silver Award, West Restaurant 2015, 2016, 2017
Wine Spectator, Award of Excellence, The Mark Restaurant ~ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Silver Award, The Mark Restaurant ~ 2007
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Silver Award, The Pacific Restaurant ~ 2008, 2009, 2010
BC Junior Chef’s Annual Hot Competition, Gold Medal ~ 2008
BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop Winelist Competition, Best Small Restaurant Wine List ~ The Mark ~ 2008
Honorary Member, Les Dames d’Escoffier, 2020