Behind the scenes
Kurtis Kolt
Jenna Briscoe
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Co-FounderKurtis Kolt is the co-founder of Top Drop and a Vancouver-based wine & hospitality consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, and so on.
For many years he ran restaurants around Vancouver, eventually receiving the 'Sommelier of the Year' award at the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival. He has run the wine program for a couple evenings at James Beard House, and had bylines in local and international publications, such as Vancouver Magazine, Decanter and Eater, and has various certifications and credits through London's Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Court of Master Sommeliers & the Winemaking Program at UC Davis. His latest project is Free Spirit, a hub for events, celebration, & exploration around the non-alc drinks category, for everyone!
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Project DirectorJenna Briscoe is the strategic architect behind TopDrop, combining elite technical training with over a decade of top-level hospitality leadership. Holding the WSET Diploma, WSET Certified Educator, Vinitaly Italian Wine Ambassador credentials, and judge status with Vinitaly’s 5StarWines, Jenna brings both global credibility and local authority. Her career spans sommelier posts at London’s Medlar and Lorne, Vancouver’s Hawksworth and Elisa, and a long tenure as GM at Café Medina, one of the Vancover’s most influential dining rooms. Now President of CAPS BC and co‑founder of This Is Wine School, Jenna’s blend of operational discipline, team leadership and academic rigor provides the foundation for TopDrop’s long‑term vision.
Jason Yamaski
Erin Loader
Trade Seminars & Events
Social Media & Calgary
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Trade Seminars & EventsJason Yamasaki leads TopDrop’s trade programming with the same precision and presence that earned him Best Sommelier of British Columbia (2015). As Group Sommelier for JOEY Restaurants and Western Canada’s Chianti Classico Ambassador, Jason has built nationally scaled wine programs and training experience while translating wine concepts into captivating, high‑impact experiences. His resume runs from boutique hotels to top restaurants, to emceeing the Vancouver International Wine Festival’s flagship trade events, to presenting for global organizations like Wine Australia. His leadership in trade education and event design fortifies TopDrop as a benchmark for modern wine engagement.
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Social Media & Calgary Operations
Erin brings over a decade of Alberta wine leadership to TopDrop, steering Calgary operations as well as driving the festival’s digital presence. A founding member of CAPS Alberta, Erin has shaped Alberta’s wine culture from every vantage point, from the floor to the buyer’s desk to e‑commerce strategy. Her path includes leading roles at Bricks Wine Company and Iron Gate Auctions, wine competition judging, plus formative time with Vine Styles, The Wine Syndicate and Vintage Group. Her combined operational expertise and market wisdom continue to boost TopDrop’s presence across Alberta’s wine community and online.
Co-Founder
Project Director
