Welcome to Grape Savvy Sips! My name is Savannah most people call me Savvy … I am so excited to be launching this new platform and I wanted to do a quick introduction and tell you a little bit about myself, how I became fascinated and eventually obsessed with everything wine!
I have always had a fascination with wine, and always loved drinking wine. Some of my earliest memories of wine involve sticking my little 6-year-old fingers in my dad’s glass of deep dark and viscous Merlot, which was most likely cold, as my father would always chill his red wine. (something about living in Haiti and Bermuda which made him prefer the refreshing sip of juicy, jammy, fruit forward wines chilled!). I would try to lick my red stained fingers before the drops of wine dribbled down my hand. This went on until I was old enough to take the occasional sip and by 13, I distinctly remember sipping on a perfectly chilled glass of Pouilly-Fuisse. Unlike most "tweens" that would pucker their lips with a distinct eww.... I remember absolutely loving the way this acidic, yet sweet juice hit the tip of my tongue. That same year we took a family holiday to France. After a week travelling the canals of the Languedoc by barge, we checked in to an 18th C priory turned guesthouse situated in the vineyards of Beziers. I distinctly remember playing in the vineyard with my siblings. It was late July, and the ancient vines were in full vigor, their tips reaching far past the trellis as if they were trying to touch the sun. I did not know it then, but I would later develop a full-blown love for the vine and find my ultimate passion...wine.
I spent my early twenties working in the food and beverage industry in downtown Vancouver rising to management status at a young age. Now a certified Sommelier, Vineyard Manager, Assistant Wine Maker, Canadian Wine Scholar and WSET 3 certified, I have added to my list of credentials with years of experience in the local wine industry. I have held numerous positions at wineries all over the South Okanagan; from tasting room associate to crush crew, vintage cellar hand, assistant winemaker and vineyard management. Throughout my wine career I have had the honor of working with incredible people, multiple winemaking styles, practices and techniques, as well as the hands-on experience of tending to a wide range of varietals and trellising systems. No two jobs were ever alike so the learning curve was steep! In 2019 I took a leap of faith after the encouragement of friends and family, and Grape Savvy Wine Tours was born. With the combination of education and hands-on experience (literally sometimes blood, sweat and tears) I have gained a deeper understanding of the transition of the grape from vine to wine. Sharing my knowledge of all aspects of winemaking is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream!
My goal for Grape Savvy Sips is to connect you to the heartbeat of the Okanagan. I will bring a new ‘insider’s’ perspective and introduce you to the makers and growers of some of the finest wines the Okanagan has to offer, and a firsthand glimpse at the viticulture and winemaking practices for the 2021 vintage. Look for my personal tasting videos as well as fun collaborations with some of the greatest wine personalities in the region. I promise to share my absolute love of vines and wines while providing you with fun, dynamic and entertaining content! Welcome to my World of Wine everyone …. I hope you enjoy it!!
Cheers,
Savvy