Jessica Otting

Jess has been enthralled by the world of wine since a very young age; at seventeen she completed her first vintage for her high school placement. After graduating from Niagara College’s Winery & VIticulture program in 2011, Jess took her skills abroad where she took part in a harvest in South Australia and in Tasmania the following year, with a Canadian vintage in between for good measure. Her passion for cool climate wines brought her back to Niagara, and it was not long before she joined the Tawse team to perform all of the laboratory analysis required to make delicious Bench wines.

After working closely with the winemakers for over four years, Jess took on the Assistant Winemaker role in 2018, and shortly after became Distiller as part of the team that pioneered the new spirits program at Tawse. 2020 brought about more big changes, as she earned the role of Winemaker for Tawse Winery.

Candice Sweeney

Candice lives and works out of Kitchener, ON as a Territory Sales Manager for Select Wines. She works with both the LCBO and restaurants promoting a broad portfolio of international and domestic wines for sale across all of Southwestern Ontario. A hospitality industry ‘lifer’ Candice hung up her server apron in 2018 after 20 years tableside to begin a career in wine sales with Lifford Wine & Spirits (now owned by Select Wines).

Officially certified as a Sommelier in 2014, Candice has continued her wine education by completing levels 1, 2 and 3 with the WSET program, as well as achieving specialized certification in the Business of Wine Sales through Fine Vintage Ltd. owned and operated by James Cluer MW.

In her own words, “I love the entire world of wine. Studying, promoting, educating, and of course all the tasting. It’s always a pleasure to meet with my LCBO managers, and product consultants to discuss my portfolio. I also get endless enjoyment out of meeting with my independent bar and restaurant owners to help them build their wine offerings to their guests. When I really think about it, it’s the people that make working in wine so rewarding. My favourite part of my job is having someone tell me in their own words what they like and dislike about wine and challenging me to recommend something that fits their style. There’s no bigger rush than having a happy client tell me I nailed it and [now] they need another case.”

Miroki Tong

A passionate enthusiast of all things wine, Miroki Tong has tasted her way all around the world, learning from winemakers, experts, and fellow enthusiasts, always eager to talk with someone who shares in her love of the divine drink that is wine.

Miroki seeks to highlight not only the best wines for taste and value, but to introduce the world to the people behind the glass. Winemakers, bar owners, and people looking to make positive change in the wine industry are all highlighted with Miroki’s characteristic humour, endearing geekiness, and easy-going nature. 

When not sipping, learning, and educating about vino, Miroki works as an independent business consultant. She holds an MBA with specializations in Strategic Management, Organizational Behaviour and Entrepreneurship, bringing her expertise to help build small businesses. She is also an award-winning performer and musician with a background in production currently working on an upcoming Opera Metal EP.