OUR HISTORY:
The BC Guild of Wine Judges began in 1976 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. A lecturer was brought in from UCLA Davis, CA and wine masters from local wineries gave lectures and set up threshold tasting panels. Judging certificates were presented the following spring of 1977.
BCAWA members on Vancouver Island requested that a wine judging training program be implemented in Victoria. A wine judging course was initiated by Bill Collings and Cameron McLean from September 1977 to June 1978, following which Vancouver Island participants were awarded judging certificates.
Since that time the wine judging course continued to evolve through the efforts of George Gibson and Mike Farkas in the early years; followed by efforts put forth by Alex Kroitzsch and Sam Hauck and Rick Homer.
Most recently (June 2017) Rick Homer began further developing the course, with input from Axel, Sam, and other senior Guild Judges. Due to Rick Homer’s great efforts this Wine Judge Certification training program currently consists of 8 full-day sessions and is made available through the BC Guild of Wine Judges on both Vancouver Island and the lower mainland.