Jacky Blisson

Master of Wine

Jacky Blisson MW is an independent wine educator, writer, and consultant with over two decades experience in all facets of the global wine trade. She is the first Master of Wine in Québec and one of only ten across Canada.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at Concordia University, Jacky pulled up stakes and moved to Burgundy to pursue an Advanced Masters in Wine Science and International Trade at the CFPPA de Beaune and AgroSup Dijon.

During her 11-year sojourn in France, Jacky held successive positions as UK and North American Export Sales Manager for Burgundy fine wine brokerage Domaine Wines and major Southern Rhône Valley winery Gabriel Meffre. She also worked harvest seasons in Beaune and the Walker Bay, South Africa.

Since returning to Canada, Jacky has built a solid reputation for her high-quality written and video wine education content, and her consultancy work. Recent clients include: the California Wine Institute, the Consorzio di Tutela del Prosecco DOC, Wines of South Africa, Rioja DOCa, Rías Baixas Wines, somm360.com, Sopexa, WineBid, and WineAlign.

Jacky also produces a flourishing, self-titled YouTube wine education channel and wine review website. She is a judge for the National Wine Awards of Canada.

Keith Emerson

Winemaker, Robert Craig Winery

Braintree, MA native, winemaker Keith Emerson has more than 20 years of experience in fine wine production. He is one of the few winemakers who excels in crafting both Bordeaux and Burgundian varieties and produces wines from Napa, Sonoma, Oregon and Santa Cruz. He holds a B.S. in Enology and Viticulture degree from University of California, Davis.

Jon Emerich

Winemaker, Silverado Vineyards

Jon Emmerich is only the second lead winemaker in the history of Silverado Vineyards. During his years at the winery, he has grown Silverado’s reputation for quality and consistency.

Growing up in Redwood City, Jon remembers his parents drinking Mateus Rosé and Blue Nun, popular wine brands in the 70s. Jon’s introduction to California wines began at The University of California, Davis where, on a lark, he enrolled in the fermentation science program. It was then that he was introduced to the greater world of California wine. As it turns out, Jon’s lessons took place not only in the classroom, but also in his dorm room. He and a dormmate, whose family owned a small farm and winery in Lodi, decided to use some of the family fruit to make wine in their dorm room. At that point, Jon realized that if he could make a decent red blend in a dorm room, then he could make a very good wine in a winery.

In 1985, Jon headed to France for an internship where he augmented his knowledge of the traditional winemaking craft. After graduating from The University of California, Davis in 1987 with a BS in Fermentation Science, Jon worked a harvest at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. He then spent a year at Conn Creek Winery and Sebastiani Vineyards before joining Silverado Vineyards in 1990.

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