August So Far at LondonSomm
August has been a big one already, and we’re only halfway through. I wanted to take a minute to share what I’ve been up to, what I’m proud of, and to say thank you for all the support. Especially to everyone who has been embracing Canadian wine at such an important time for the industry.
All-Canadian Promo
At the start of the month, I launched my August All-Canadian promo. The idea was simple: get more Canadian wine into people’s glasses. The package is built around five premium wines from across the country, handpicked and researched to tell a story.
I don’t just pour the wines, I connect them to the people and places behind them. Whether it’s a winemaker farming against the odds, a region that deserves more attention, or a grape that tells a piece of our history, each bottle brings its own layer of Canadian pride.
And the response so far has been incredible. Here’s what August has looked like in numbers:
9 private events booked
49 Canadian wines poured
4 provinces represented
7 new future events booked (including a Halloween party and a Christmas party)
1 new all-in package pricing system launched
1st round of social media ads live
That variety is what excites me most. I love showing people the range of what Canadian wine can be, and proving it deserves to stand on the same table as anything else in the world.
Growing LondonSomm
On top of the tastings, I rolled out new all-in package pricing to make booking simpler and clearer. I also launched my first social media ads. Ads are a whole different beast. They’re challenging, expensive, and sometimes frustrating, but they’ve expanded my reach significantly. I’m grateful to everyone who has engaged with them and to those who have reached out directly. (And if anyone in London is a real pro with Google or Meta ads, I’d love to connect.)
Another thing I’ve been working on is partnerships. Right now I’m in touch with London Hunt and Country Club, Sunningdale Golf and Country Club, Prim and Peony Events, Skye Chase Winery, Dark Horse Estate Winery, and continuing my work with WineAlign. Each of these relationships has the potential to open doors for more tastings, more education, and more opportunities to get Canadian wine into the community. Partnerships like these are one way I can scale LondonSomm while keeping it true to what it is: a personal, curated, story-driven approach to wine.
Looking Ahead
One of the things I’m most excited about is the return of the Tasting Series at Staff Only. These events are always a highlight. They’re intimate, interactive, and bring together such a great mix of people who are curious and excited to learn. If you want the inside scoop, you can sign up at londonsomm.com/tastingseries.
I’ll have a couple of big announcements before the end of the month, and I’m already looking forward to fall. Harvest season is my favourite time of year, when vineyards are buzzing with energy and winemakers are putting in the long days that ultimately make all this possible. Then the holidays roll in, which always means more wine flowing, more events, and more opportunities to connect.
Kind Words
“LondonSomm hosted for 2 birthday parties for my friends. Amazing sommelier experience, learned a lot and discovered some new favorites. Very informative, friendly, and fun experience”
- Google Review from client
A Couple Shoutouts
Since I love giving credit where it’s due, I’ll end with two local plugs. True Taco at the Western Fair farmer’s market is a spot I probably visit more often than I should admit, and the team at Staff Only and J.S. Ryan & Co continue to be some of the best people in the city to work with.
At the end of the day, LondonSomm is just me. I curate the wines, plan the events, pour, talk, and tell the stories. I do this because I believe Canadian wine deserves more attention, and because I love connecting people with it in ways that are fun and approachable. I’m grateful for every chance I get to share that passion, and for all the support I’ve been shown so far.
Here’s to the rest of August and everything still to come.
