In this episode, I sit down with Christian Perreault Hamel, Best Sommelier of Ontario, Wine Director at Harbour 60, and owner of Pelican Wine Imports. At Harbour 60, Christian oversees one of the largest restaurant wine programs in Canada, with roughly 3,600 SKUs and about 25,000 bottles. We talk about what it takes to manage a wine list of that size while still providing personalized service.

Christian shares his path from the arts into hospitality, learning wine in Montreal, deepening his passion in France, and working in Massachusetts before returning to Canada. He reflects on his formative years at Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal and his move to Toronto during COVID, where he became GM of Pompette before stepping into the role of Wine Director at Harbour 60.

We also discuss the challenges of balancing profitability with hospitality, his pursuit of the Master Sommelier diploma, building a wine agency with Pelican Wine Imports, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Finally, Christian offers candid advice for young professionals who want to build a career in wine and hospitality.

If you want an inside look at what it takes to run one of Canada’s most ambitious wine programs and build a life in wine, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Christian Perreault-Hamel – Winning Best Sommelier of Ontario, Harbour 60’s Award-Winning Wine List, and Keeping Hospitality Fun

00:00 – Introduction

01:48 – From Art to Wine Bars
04:30 – France & WSET Training
05:34 – US Wine Experience
07:08 – Montreal to Toronto Move
11:51 – Joining Pompette During COVID
16:10 – Pompette Growth & Awards
18:17 – Port Tongs & Service Theatrics
20:54 – Joining Harbour 60
24:13 – Building a Global Wine List
29:11 – Flood Reset & Buying Strategy
33:43 – Managing 25,000 Bottles
35:33 – What Guests Really Order
39:20 – Canadian Wine Trends
40:53 – Harbour 60 Beverage Mix
43:04 – Profitability vs Hospitality
48:12 – Smart Markups & Guest Value
51:05 – Sommelier Competitions
01:01:15 – Pursuing the MS Pin
01:05:25 – Launching Pelican Wine Imports
01:08:03 – Evolving Personal Taste
01:10:55 – Desert Island Wine Picks
01:12:19 – Keeping Wine Fun
01:15:15 – Advice & Wrap-Up

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Champagne: Cork Pop and Pour by ultradust -- https://freesound.org/s/166923/ -- License: Attribution 4.0