House Wines

House Wines is co-owned by Michelle Bouffard, and Michaela Morris, both trained Sommeliers.

house wine advocates wine pleasure without pretense, where wine is demystified and laughs are guaranteed. Find out more about house wine and the services they provide.

Michelle Bouffard

Michelle grew up in Québec where she studied classical trumpet and performed, taught and conducted music. She moved to Vancouver in 1996 to finish her bachelor’s degree in classical music and learn English.

In 2003, she completed her International Sommelier Diploma with top marks and today she teaches for the International Sommelier Guild. Michelle continued her wine education with the completion of the internationally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) Diploma Program in 2007. Her first year was funded by a scholarship awarded by the Vancouver Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Michaela Morris

Michaela earned her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and French from the University of British Columbia, funding her studies by working in fine dining restaurants. A one year exchange program led her back to France where she discovered the wine region of Burgundy.

It was there that she decided to pursue a career in the industry. She enrolled in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) classes and was awarded a scholarship by the Vancouver Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier for the WSET’s Diploma Programme. She successfully completed the program in 2005 and is currently a guest lecturer for the WSET Diploma.

April/May 2010: New Zealand the Green

“The picture perfect wine producer continues to redefine its story.” Just in time for the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Michaela & Michelle provide a primer on New Zealand’s wine regions and share their favourite outdoor, cultural and gastronomic experiences.

Michaela and Michelle conducted a seminar at the recent 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival called “Get The Dirt On New Zealand Terroir.” They gave an overview, compiled from their 3 weeks of travel to the country late last year, on the main 8 wine-growing regions of the island nation south of the equator.

During last week’s festival, The Globe And Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, did a profile Q&A on each of them. Here is a slice of excerpt from both…

Globe And Mail Q&A With Michaela Morris

What wine are you most excited to taste at the festival?

MM: With hundreds of wines to taste, it is impossible to choose just one. I look forward to indulging in plenty of wines from Argentina and New Zealand but always like to make time to visit the German tables. There are usually great off-the-beaten track surprises. Bürgerspital Estate from the region of Franken is definitely on my list. Beyond their Riesling Spätlese, they are also pouring a Gewürztraminer and a Scheurebe as well as a Rieslander Beerenauslese.

Q&A With Michelle Bouffard by Globe And Mail

What wine are you most excited to taste at the festival?

MB: Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée NV from New Zealand to satiate my bubble craving and Zorzal Pinot Noir to transport me to sunny Argentina.

You’re going to a dinner party tonight. You have $20 to spend on a bottle of wine from the BCLB. What would you buy?

MB: 2008 Schloss Reinhartshausen, Riesling Dry, Rheingau, Germany, $19.99. I love introducing people to dry Riesling. Its low alcohol content is a bonus. It allows you to drink a few more sips.