Keith Nicholson is a certified Sommelier, who spent the majority of his career in the wine and hospitality business in Vancouver.  He has worked on the hospitality side with over twenty-five years within restaurant management and presenting wine programs at some of BC’s top dining establishments such as The Bearfoot Bistro and Le Crocodile.  Previously Keith was a Sales Consultant selling wine to restaurants and Liquor retail.  He has spent time harvesting wine at the Laughing Stock Vineyards in Naramata, BC, and was a past Instructor with the International Sommeliers Guild.

Keith completed the WSET Diploma in 2014, received his Teachers Certification and then created Statera Wine Academy, which is an Approved Program Provider for WSET Certifications in Wine, Sake and Spirits.  He also continues to work as a restaurant consultant in wine program development and front of house staff training.

As the word Statera means balance in Latin, not everything is about the corkscrew. Keith accomplished the Diploma in Scotch Whisky from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy and now Statera proudly offers the EWA certificates courses in Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, and Gin, both online and in-person.  He also has the Certified Bourbon Steward from Moonshine University in Kentucky. 

After recently completing the WSET Beer Certifications Level 1 & Level 2 with distinction, along with the Educator Training Program (ETP), Keith is now on the path to becoming a Cicerone. He has successfully completed several RTC courses in preparation for the upcoming Certified Cicerone exam.

Keith is presently a member of the planning commitee for the Vancouver International Wine Festival. He is a past winner of the VIWF Sommelier Challenge, a Sommelier of the Year finalist with VIWF, and a scholarship recipient from Society of Wine Educators.

Keith Nicholson has been on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) BC Chapter for 8 years since the opening the BC Chapter in 2014. He held positions of Director of Education and Vice President. CAPS holds the Best of BC Sommeliers competition annually in connection with the Vancouver International Wine Festival. To become a member or find out more details visit www.BC.SommeliersCanada.ca

Keith is also a Facilitator for the Wines of BC Ambassador Program. For more information on how to take the classes, click here.