A hearty congratulations to Kurtis Kolt (interview) of Salt Tasting Room who won the Sommelier of the Year award this morning at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. This was my first year being part of the panel voting on this, and though it’s probably gauche of me to say this, I’m just too stoked to rein in my enthusiasm for the result: I voted for Kolt, and I’m very glad so many of my peers did as well. It couldn’t have gone to a more deserving man or woman this year. Well done indeed.

PS. You can keep up with the winner on his personal website Cherries and Clay and follow him on Twitter at @CherriesandClay.