Most enjoyable part of your job: Gift-wrapping.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: The 2007 Beer Festival and the Christmas staff party.
Favorite event at Willow Park: Beer Fest, Charity Wine Auction and Spring Sparkler.
Favorite meal and drink: Italian Food or any steak entrée with juice, water or beer.
Something people may not know about you: I am in the circus.
Comment by Gina: "Alex is one of the sweetest employees we have, she is such an asset to the company".

Most enjoyable part of your job: Meeting people and learning about them.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Drinking wine on the Mediterranean Sea.
Favorite Event at Willow Park: Beer Fest.
Favorite Meal: Seafood Linguine Alfredo with a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel.

Most enjoyable part of your job: The people.
Favorite event at willow: Beer Bash and Judy Wood Champagne cooking class.
Favorite meal and drink: Mashed potatoes, steak and a cold glass of beer.

Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Traveling to Scotland, San Francisco, Tennessee and British Columbia to visit vineyards and breweries.
Interesting Fact: Whiskey in Gaelic means "Water of Life".
Favorite Meal: Jack Daniels enjoyed along side a big juicy steak and french fries.
Something people may not know about you: I like to spend my weekends camping or hiking with my wife and our daughter. He also enjoys music and is in a band.

Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: There was an Appleton presentation with a fifty year old rum that we were able to taste. It was an excellent opportunity.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: There are so many factors that make a wine taste wonderful -- or awful -- that picking a perfect wine every time is against the odds for even the most experienced wine lovers. So relax and experiment and enjoy whatever you choose.
Favorite meal and drink: Roast Beef with a Shiraz or a Zinfandel. My favorite Spirit is an older Appleton Rum.
Something people may not know about you: I enjoy collecting Antiques and learning the history behind them (furniture and oil lamps.)

What makes you an expert: Drinking lots of beers and visiting breweries around the world as well as listening to other knowledgeable beer experts.
Most enjoyable part of your job: Talking about beer all day.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Beer and cheese were meant to be.
Favorite event at willow: Beer Bash during Charity Wine Auction Week.
Favorite meal and drink: Chocolate cake and Guinness.
Something people may not know about you: I like listening to and playing music as well as drawing.

Most enjoyable part of your job: Ensuring there are sufficient resources to fund the day-to-day operations of the company.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: The Annual 'O Canada' Festival and also really enjoys the Charity Wine Auction.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Take some time to talk to a wine expert as they can be a big help and can suggest some great wines.
Favorite meal and drink: Boiled yam and fried eggs with Bailey's Irish Cream.
Something people may not know about you: Fun loving and full of humor. I am a Qualified Accountant by profession with twenty years of varied experience in finance, accounting, auditing and banking in a wide range of industries that include retail and manufacturing.

What makes you an expert: Business Administration, Torres wine school, level one sommelier and numerous wine trips.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Torres Wine School in Spain.
Favorite event at Willow: Annual Charity Wine Auction.
Favorite Meal and Drink: Steak with a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Trip to Scotland (Whisky Tour) in 2000, beautiful country, great people, good whisky.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: The best thing that goes with ham is beer.
Favorite meal and drink: Pork chops and baked spuds with a glass of Montecillo Crinanza and a close second is a Big Mac and fries with a cold Pepsi.
Something people may not know about you: I am an "okie" from "Muskogee". No Kidding. My hometown in U.S.A. He also enjoys golfing, salmon fishing playing the guitar upside down and oil painting.

Most enjoyable part of your job: Helping customers find the perfect gift.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Trip to Tuscany vineyards.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Everyone should ensure that they have the appropriate glassware for their wines, beers and spirits because glasses are matched to the drink to ensure all the right aromas are being experienced to increase the overall enjoyment.
Favorite event at willow: Charity Wine Auction.
Favorite meal and drink: Italian Cannelloni with a delicious glass of red wine.
Something people may not know about you: I won the 1989 Alberta Women's Karate Championships.

What makes you an expert: I have traveled to Bordeaux, the Cotes du Rhone and Tuscany to experience the different wine regions. I am starting my third level Sommelier with WSET and I completed Basic and Intermediate ISG, I have also tasted over 16,000 wines.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Working at Louie Tolaini's winery in Tuscany and picking grapes, making wine and learning the basics of oenology.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Do not buy the same bottle twice; experience the selection available.
Favorite meal and drink: Vitello al pepe with a great Italian red.
Something people may not know about you: I did ballet for twelve years and have been performing since I was four years old. I want to retire with a nice vineyard along the Mediterranean Sea.

What makes you an expert: Completed Master Sommelier program and traveled to the vineyards of Germany, France, Italy, Spain¸ Portugal, Napa Valley, Washington State, B.C. and Ontario.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Attending a special tasting of wines from 39 Grand Cru Vineyards in Burgundy in 2005.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Think of wine as another food item on your plate.
Favorite event at willow: Teaching our Wine Appreciation Course.
Favorite meal and drink: Lamp chops with a fine Burgundy.

Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Going to California and seeing Napa and Sonoma Valley with other staff members.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Do not pair food with a wine you dislike as it will all taste bad.
Favorite event at willow: Charity Wine Auction and Beer Bash.
Favorite meal and drink: Teriyaki chicken and shrimp with a smooth Sauvignon Blanc.
Something people may not know about you: I am a writer and someday will write a novel or two!

What is your position at Willow Park: I am a Desk Top Publisher and Graphic Artist for Advertising, Marketing and Promotions. My job includes organizing events, photography and media communications.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: I have discovered a "Nutty Solero" sherry to add to my English Trifle and have had rave revues. Another very memorable moment is when I traveled to the wineries of Tuscany, Italy - a highlight in my life!
Favorite event at willow: Wine, Beer & Spirits Festivals.
Wine advice: It seems that people have a hard time with the Champagne only coming from Champagne and don't realize that other countries produce their own - ie Italy and Prosecco, Spain and Cava, USA and Sparkling, etc. - My personal favorite Champagne is Salon or Heidsieck or for fun, I love Italy's Proseccos along with appetizers such as shucked oysters, shrimp, seafood, cheeses and strawberries!
Favorite meal and drink: Spaghetti and a Chianti Classico Reserva.
Something most people don't know about you: I use to live in Santa Monica, California.
Since working at Willow Park Julie has enjoyed successfully completing the Wine Basics and the Introductory Sommelier Course and visited wineries and vineyards in Sonoma, the Okanagan and fabulous Tuscany, Italy. Julie loves to taste wine, cook, golf, play billiards, bowl, quilt, travel and cheer on the Calgary Flames. Not to mention play the Wii for fun! She has also been a volunteer on the Calgary Stampede Caravan Committee for 16 years.

What makes you an expert: Certified Sommelier with a Court of Masters. I have traveled to France and have done lots of reading about wines.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Traveling to Bordeaux to taste wines.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Life is too short to drink bad wine.
Favorite event at willow: Burgundy and Whisky Festivals.
Something people may not know about you: Most of my education came from self-study (Wine Atlas).
He eventually would like to take a WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) course and continue to do more traveling. One of his more memorable experiences was when he traveled to Bourdeaux and was able to taste all the amazing Bordeaux's in the area in which the wines were made. Kelly really enjoys all the great festivals and events at Willow Park with the Burgundy Festivals and Whiskey Wednesdays being his favorite.

Most enjoyable part of your job: Working with Calgary's talented chefs and creating different ideas not only for various functions but interesting plating presentations and table décor.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Having the opportunity to experience the richness of Italian culture, food and wine (it had depth, it was simple, it was truly delicious). And realizing that winemakers are farmers, people we take for granted here at home.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Sometimes the very simplest of foods can be the best complements for a wine.
Favorite meal and drink: Small bites with wine pairings.
Something people may not know about you: Golfing is on top of the list of things I enjoy, as well as continuing to learn more about food and wine and entertaining generally.
For the last six years, Meiko has coordinated Willow Park's various wine tastings, winemaker's dinners and wine festivals. She also creates and organizes wine and food classes and corporate and private functions. Out of all the events that Meiko organizes, her favorite events are the winemaker's dinners.

What makes you an expert: I have traveled many places such as France, Italy, Spain, Oregon and Washington State to continually become educated on wines as well as beers and spirits. I have also completed many wine courses.
Most enjoyable part of your job: I feel that I have never worked a day in my life. I enjoy helping people discover what wines they love as well as educating others on such topics as wine and food pairing.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Good stemware makes a big difference. Also, a good story and a little knowledge about your food and drink is surely bound to make the meal much more enjoyable.
Favorite meal and drink: Juicy beef tenderloin tips with a glass or two of red wine.
Something people may not know about you: I grew up in the Okanagan Valley with my Italian family where I developed a love for wine at a very early age. This lead to serving at fine dining restaurants, being an employee at a still/sparkling wine house, becoming a wine rep, working for an award winning B.C. winery and hosting many shows including Wine Basics, Beer Basics and Vine to Wine.

Most enjoyable part of your job: Going on the beer trips with Dave Gingrich our Beer Expert.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Going to England, Belgium, Germany and Austria to learn about beer.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: If you are not a fan of beer I recommend trying the fruit beers.
Favorite event at willow: Beer Festivals.
Favorite meal and drink: Spaghetti Bolognese with a fruit beer.

Most enjoyable part of your job: Overseeing the day to day operations of the store and helping staff and customers.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: My first wine experience was with my friend's dad who made his own wine and beer.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: It does not cost much to enjoy wines, beers or spirits.
Favorite event at willow: Charity Wine Auction.
Favorite meal and drink: Cabbage rolls with a dark rum. Potato dumplings with cooked cabbage.
Something people may not know about you: I am a recycle nut.

What makes you an expert: 25 years of tasting wines and remembering most of them.
Most enjoyable part of your job: Tasting all the fabulous wines.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits advice: Always make a note of the wine you enjoy.
Favorite event at Willow Park: French Fling.
Favorite meal and drink: Lobster & Champagne.
A native of Prince Edward Island, Perry received her formal education - degrees in both business and education - at the University of PEI, but her palate was honed in France. She first discovered her love of wine while studying French at the University of Strasbourg, and later while working in Bordeaux for negotiant Peter Sichel among others. Married to Brien, a former national ski team coach, Perry has three children and lives in Calgary. When she's not working in the store or behind the camera, you'll likely find her creating another memorable meal.

Most enjoyable part of your job: Doing payroll because it gives her the chance to meet all the staff and put a face to about 100 employees.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Drink a wine that 'you enjoy' with a meal. Do not just drink a wine because someone says that you should.
Favorite event at willow: All the Festivals and the Charity Wine Auctions.
Favorite meal and drink: Homemade BBQ'd hamburgers with a glass of cold milk and of course a red wine, preferably a Merlot.
Something people may not know about you: I enjoy watching the Calgary Flames with friends and family at our local pub.

What makes you an expert: Toured Italy, Australia, Napa Valley and Okanagan Valley.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Working on the Tolani Vineyard in Italy.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Ask a Willow Park expert.
Favorite event at willow: Beer Bash during Charity Wine Auction Week.
Favorite meal and drink: Penne Chicken Carbonara with a red wine.
Something people may not know about you: I have a Swiss citizenship as well as Canadian.

What makes you an expert: I worked at the Tolani Vineyards in Tuscany, Italy, taken a Bordeaux class at Ch. Magnol in Medoc, France and completed Whisky Basics, Wine Basics and Beginner Sommelier courses.
Most enjoyable part of your job: Working at all of the events.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Working at the Tolani Vineyard.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: The right wine will enhance any meal.
Favorite event at willow: Italian Wine Festival.
Favorite meal and drink: Lasagna and a nice Chianti Classico.

Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Trip to Sicily to visit eight wineries.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: A glass (red wine) a day keeps the doctor away.
Favorite meal and drink: A big bread bowl of spicy Chili with a pint of beer.
Favorite event at Willow: Spring Sparkler Festival.

Favourite Wine Experience: Chateau Musar 1972, shared with friends (who bought it!).
Favourite wine: Chateau Musar.
Best Wine Advice: to ask Michael Bigattini for a recommendation.
Thing that most people wouldn't know: once owned a delicatessen in Scotland.

Sue's favorite event at Willow Park is Tete du Cuve. Sue's life goal is to eventually receive her WSET Diploma, even if she is 100 years old when it happens but she will do it!

Most enjoyable part of your job: Different opportunities that I see with traveling. I enjoy seeing the appreciation that our customers have for our store.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: Paul Pontallier from Château Margaux commented on my knowledgeable pallet.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Talk to Peggy Perry for your wine advice.
Favorite event at Willow Park: Charity Wine Auction Week.
Favorite meal and drink: Changes with my mood.
A native Albertan, Henuset and his wife Liz have three children, and live in Calgary. They host an annual gala wine auction at the store which has raised more than$1 million for local hospitals and other charities. When he's not busy with the wine business, Henuset spends his spare time on the golf course, downhill skiing and fishing.

Most enjoyable part of your job: I really enjoy the workload as there is always something to do and it is a very fast paced and exciting environment.
Most memorable wine/beer/spirits experience: I traveled to Australia and visited many fine vineyards.
Best wine/beer/spirits advice: Having variety is always good.
Favorite event at willow: Spurs & Spirits which kicks off stampede week and raises money for the Vintage Fund.
Favorite meal and drink: Any chicken entrée with a cold Caesar.