Sharon McLean, Founder
Sherry Superstar, Scottish Slang Shooter, Map Maestro, Organizational Juggernaut
Sharon is a certified sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild, the senior instructor of Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses on Vancouver Island for Wine Plus+ and a freelance wine writer. In 2009, she completed the WSET Diploma with the highest marks in Canada. Since then she has gone on to become a Certified Sherry Educator, a French Wine Scholar, an Italian Wine Scholar, an accredited Bordeaux instructor, and completed certification through the Center for Wine Origins (Wine Location Specialist in Port & Champagne). Sharon is the global instructor for the distance learning French Wine Scholar courses, and the global moderator for Champagne Master Level. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Wine designation. When not engaged in a wine glass, she is a highly sought after management consultant with more than 20 years of international experience.
Treve Ring, Founder
Champagne Aficionado, Wordsmith, Traveller, Poetic Licensee
Treve is a wine writer and editor, wine judge and speaker and perpetual traveller. A certified sommelier, WSET diploma holder, French wine scholar and Sherry instructor, she is based on Vancouver Island, Canada, though is most often found on a plane or in a vineyard.
Treve has a lengthy and diverse list of international writing credits, across both print and digital publications. In addition to her role as executive editor of Gismondi On Wine, she is a national columnist for WineAlign, BC editor for SIP Northwest Magazine and wine editor for Scout Magazine. She is also a contributor to Meininger’s Wine Business International, World of Fine Wine, Sommelier Magazine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Quench Magazine, Lonely Planet, Vancouver Magazine, Vitis Magazine, and The Alchemist, amongst other publications. Treve is an established wine judge in Canada, the UK, South Africa and the US, and is the Canadian Ambassador for the International Wine Challenge.
She travels regularly, and has visited vineyards and tasted throughout France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Japan, England, the United States and Canada. She has spent the last few years concentrating and researching sparkling wine globally.
Mark Shipway
Vancouver Instructor
Mark’s love for wine started in his teens, travelling to France on vacation where he acquired a love of French wines and gastronomy. Inspired by his experiences, he started working for a small boutique wine store specializing in the wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy & Champagne. After further travel in New Zealand, he returned to university in the UK to study viticulture and enology as well as pursuing the WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits (which he passed in 1999 with Distinction grade). Since then Mark has explored a variety of positions in the wine industry including a stage as a buyer’s assistant at leading UK supermarket, Waitrose Ltd; a sales and marketing role with Direct Wines; a wine steward at Delheim’s and Stellenzicht in Stellenbosch, South Africa, before finally emigrating to Vancouver, Canada where he has been living and working as a wine educator since 2005. He currently teaches both the Wine Scholar Guild & WSET programs to Diploma level. In 2017 he passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier designation and is currently preparing to sit the Master Sommelier in 2019.
Brad Royale
Calgary Instructor
Brad Royale is a Sommelier and beverage/event consultant based in Calgary, Alberta. Royale lists Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, Hotel Grand Pacific, Wine Align, IDMG, British Columbia Wine Institute, Wines of South Africa, Wine Scholar Guild and Top Drop Canada as clients. Royale has been involved in retail and restaurant management for twenty years and holds Diploma credentials from both the International Sommelier Guild and WSET. Known for his discerning tasting skills, Royale has been involved in professional wine judging for the past 15 years, being retained by Wine Access, Culinaire Magazine and WineAlign. Royale has won multiple awards for his wine programs from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, World of Fine Wine (Three Stars) and The Vancouver Wine Festival. In 2012 Brad launched his own wine label, Kitten Swish, a micro-negotiant that sources carefully curated wines from France, Germany, Spain, United States, Hungary and Canada.
Iain Philip
Vancouver Instructor
A long standing wine instructor in Vancouver and has been dedicated to teaching the Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses since 2002. He currently teaches all levels of the WSET programs, including the Level 4 Diploma. He has conducted WSET classes in several other markets including Calgary and San Diego, and has consulted for some of North America’s largest wine companies wanting to incorporate the curriculum into their staff training. Iain gained the WSET Diploma in 2001, French Wine Scholar in 2014 (with Highest Honors), Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador in 2017 and is a Cavaleiro in the Port Wine Brotherhood. With his wife Barbara Philip MW and their company Barbariain Wine Consulting, Iain is a regular contributor to Taste Magazine as well as a presenter and wine competition judge.
Margaux Burgess
Edmonton Instructor
Founder and director of Edmonton based marketing and event company Lingua Vina Sommelier Services and is an independent journalist and wine judge. Passionate about education and opportunities to learn, Margaux works closely with consumers, producers and hospitality professionals to better facilitate communication, growth and education within the wine industry.
Margaux has also completed the following education: Diploma from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, Diploma from the International Sommelier Guild, she is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and also a certified Mead judge.
Daniel Stiefvater
Victoria Instructor
Wine connects Daniel's love of travel, culture, history & food; it incites his curiosity for biology, geography, geology, agriculture & “je ne c’est quois”; while highlighting what is most important to him: family. Daniel brings strong industry experience, a relentless passion for wine, and infectious enthusiasm to the classroom. A certified Sommelier & Educator, Daniel “delivers the goods” in a clear, humble, and interactive style that fosters continued learning and development. Daniel is a member of CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers), a French Wine Scholar, an Italian Wine Specialist, and a Certified Sherry Specialist; his “day job” is representing a fine wine portfolio imported by Trialto Wine Group. Daniel is thrilled to be a delivering WSET courses to build a stronger wine community in Victoria and Vancouver Island.
Ann Brydle
Victoria Instructor
Ann has worked in the wine industry in Victoria since 2012, managing liquor stores and teaching wine classes. She is currently the Manager of Membership and Communication for ABLE (Alliance of Beverage Licensees) BC. Ann has completed the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier, Certified Sherry Specialist, French Wine Scholar, and Italian Wine Scholar. Most recently, she completed the challenging WSET Diploma in 2020. Ann brings her enthusiasm for learning to the classroom with an infectious excitement for the many ways that wine can enlighten. When she isn't teaching or tasting, you can find her relaxing at home, cat in lap and drink in hand, reading whatever newest wine book has just been released.
Cru Consultancy was founded by Sharon McLean & Treve Ring, long time friends, colleagues and wine cohorts.
Certified sommeliers, travellers, educators and journalists, McLean & Ring advise clients and companies on the world of wine. From leading seminars to corporate consulting, creating wine lists to curating cellars and pairing menus to preparing staff, Cru Consultancy has the experience and credibility to successfully manage your wine needs.