VENDANGE INSTITUTE INSTRUCTORS

Rob Nellis		Instructor WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Rob’s extensive background is in hospitality and wine. He has been working for the past 20 years in all aspects of the hospitality industry business; server, bartender, host, manager and caterer. Rob’s wine education career began by completing the Algonquin College Wine Program, graduating with top honors. He completed the WSET Level 2 & 3 Awards in Wines & Spirits, the WSET Level 2 Professional Spirits and WSET Certified Educator Program, graduating with Distinction. Rob has been the WSET Certified Educator, wine and spirits consultant for the Vendange Institute since the school opened in the fall of 2004. Rob is an enthusiastic wine instructor and combines a high degree of topical and current information with an easygoing style that is clearly felt by all his students.
Matt Webb		Instructor WSET Level 3 Award in Wines WSG French Wine Scholar Study & Certification Italian Wine Scholar Program Spanish Wine Scholar Program Matt’s interest in wine and spirits was piqued while working under the tutelage of Roberto Valente at Fratelli restaurant in the Glebe in 2003. From here, he was always furthering his understanding and knowledge on the subjects. Matt began working with the LCBO in 2010, while at the same time, completing the Algonquin Sommelier Program. After completing the WSET Level 3 with distinction, he was promoted to the position of Product Consultant with the LCBO in 2011. Matt then went on to complete the Algonquin Beer Course, the Algonquin Whisky Course, and the French Wine Scholar with honours, before completing the WSET Diploma in 2015. Most recently, Matt has completed both Units 1 and 2 of the Italian Wine Scholar with honours, as well as the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake. Matt has visited many wine regions of the world, including Rioja, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, and Beaujolais. In September and October of 2016, Matt was granted a placement at the René Muré (Clos Saint Landelin) winery in Alsace, France.
François Bélisle		Certified Instructor, French Wine Scholar François’ interest in wine goes back a long way. As the founding President of the Canadian and Latin American Wine Society (CLAWS) and other wine groups, he has organized and led hundreds of wine education events.   His credentials include Certified Wine Judge and member of Wine Judges of Canada, WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, French Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar, and soon-to-be Italian Wine Scholar. He was awarded the highest level of distinction in each of these professional certifications.   For over twenty years François has been judging at various national and international wine competitions, including Les Sélections Mondiales des Vins, the All Canadian Wine Championships, and the U.S. Northeast Gold Wine Competition. François has traveled extensively in the world’s wine-producing regions. He is particularly interested in the notion of terroir and how soil, climate and topography interact to influence wine characteristics and quality. Instructeur certifié, WSET Level 2 Award in Wines **offert en français** François s’intéresse au vin depuis longtemps. En sa capacité de président-fondateur de la Société des vins canadiens et latino-américains (CLAWS), ainsi que d’autres groupes, il a organisé et dirigé des centaines d’évènements éducatifs sur le vin.   Juge de vin certifié et membre des Juges canadiens des vins, diplômé du WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, French Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar et bientôt Italian Wine Scholar, François s’est mérité le plus haut niveau de distinction dans chacune de ces accréditations professionnelles.   François participe à titre de juge à diverses compétitions vinicoles nationales et internationales, incluant les Sélections Mondiales des Vins, les Championnats des Vins Canadiens et la U.S. Northeast Gold Wine Competition. François a parcouru les vignobles du monde entier. Il s’intéresse particulièrement à la notion de terroir et l’influence qu’a l’interaction entre le sol, le climat et la topographie sur les caractéristiques et la qualité des vins.

 

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