About Us​
Throughout decades of learning (a never-ending joy) I have had the privilege of befriending many extraordinary winemakers and other experts in the field. Our shared love of wine and food has forged lasting relationships. So in 2022, when I decided to start my own company focusing on wine tourism and advice, I was encouraged by their confidence and support. VINfluence offers advice to companies and individuals on beverage alcohol retail management & marketing, restaurant wine selections, Bordeaux buying, importing & exporting and event & travel planning.
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The travel component focuses on the wine capitals of the world. If there's a better way to understand the heart and soul of a land and its people than through the experience of its food and wine, I'd be surprised! All VINfluence trips are guided by myself and my husband Brien. We have more than 15 years of experience leading wine and food trips around the world. Most trips are all inclusive once you arrive at our departure point, typically running 7 days and 6 nights. Typical packages include: accommodation, ground transportation, wine tours and tastings, special experiences like cooking classes and cycling tours, historic walking tours and of course, delicious meals with amazing wines. Hotels are selected for their comfort and uniqueness with a focus on newly-opened boutique hotels. To accommodate those looking for less expensive options, we are happy to assist in locating and booking suitable AirBNB accommodations close to our chosen hotels. I invite you to read reviews from some of our previous guests.
Peggy
Peggy has dedicated her professional life to the pursuit of knowledge on every aspect of the wine & spirits industry. As a young adult, she trained in Europe with Seagram’s and Maison Sichel in Bordeaux. Returning home to Calgary, she assisted in the opening of many of the city's private wine shops. For the past 28 years she devoted herself to growing Willow Park Wines & Spirits into Canada's largest privately owned liquor retailer; initially as Vice President Marketing & Purchasing and for the last few years of her tenure as President.
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From the beginning, Peggy's unique and innovative vision for the business set it apart from the competition. An unsurpassed selection of wines, beers and spirits from around the world, a popular in-house public education program, rigorous training of staff, and exceptional customer service were her fundamentals for success. As per Peggy's design, the store’s two kitchens became home to many exciting wine and food events over the years; perhaps the most notable being the Willow Park Charity Wine Auction started by Peggy in 1994 which continues to be a banner event in Calgary’s charitable giving season. She is proud of the many amazing team members that she helped mentor at Willow Park Wines & Spirits and is confident in the continuing success of this destination store.
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An ardent believer in life-long learning, Peggy continues to add to her list of specialized wine accreditations, which includes: Commandeur of the Commanderie de Bordeaux (2017), WSET Level 2 (2019) and Official Rioja Wine Educator (2022). Peggy is also a Yoga Siromani (2017). Peggy's exceptional culinary skills are well known and much appreciated by her many grateful dinner guests.
Brien
Brien's contribution to the ease, comfort and pleasure of wine tour guests comes in the form of his unfailing calm and cheerfulness in the face of any and all logistical challenges inherent in international travel. This superpower likely evolved out of his time serving as a coach of Canada's Women's Alpine Ski Team. Years of herding young elite athletes to international training camps and competitions and eliciting from them their best performances, has rendered Brien impervious to minor trials and tribulations such as missed connections and seemingly impassable roads. Brien's MBA and 20 years of senior management experience in Human Resources in the oil and gas industry, undoubtedly comes in handy as well.
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Brien and Peggy have been a remarkable team for forty years and they still love living, working and traveling together. It's no wonder, people just like to spend time with them!