Rhys Pender

Rhys Pender is a wine educator, freelance wine writer, wine judge and consultant to the industry. With 14 years experience in the wine trade, Rhys’ career has included experience in the vineyard, cellar, wine retail, education and hospitality – providing knowledge in all facets of the business.

He has completed all levels of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET®) and is currently working towards the prestigious Master of Wine (MW) qualification. Rhys has already passed the Theory (2007) and Practical (2008) portions, and is now working on the final step, the dissertation. Rhys is increasingly becoming recognized as one ofCanada’s leading experts in the wine business and is regularly sought after to write, judge and consult to the industry.

To ensure a full understanding of wine in its key context, with food, Rhys has also completed a professional culinary diploma. He has taught hundreds of wine classes for WSET®,Okanagan College and privately to wineries and restaurants. He consults to the industry on marketing plans, new winery development, wine evaluations, viticulture, business planning, food and wine pairing and staff training and sits on the board for the Okanagan Wine Festival Society as Judging Chair. Rhys is a regular contributor on wine to publications Wine Access, Wine Trails and CityFood. In 2008, Rhys was named by Western Living magazine as one of the “Top 40 Foodies Under 40”.

Rhys is the instructor for all of the WSET® and educational programs for Wine Plus+.