Born and raised in Québec, Maude has called Vancouver home for the last decade. She began in the restaurant industry as a server and GM, then as sommelier at iconic restaurants such as Nightingale and Chambar, to an importing role with Lifford Wine & Spirits. With an unpretentious approach to wine, she founded APÉROmode in 2019, to share the Apéro culture in Vancouver and expand the community of wine enthusiasts by making wine accessible through events and curated wine packs. She often acts as a consultant and contributes to wine initiatives, such as the global Tasting Climate Change conference. Maude has always believed in giving back to the industry she loves and is now a board member of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers as well as a BC Wine Ambassador on behalf of Wine Growers BC. An original student of the International Sommeliers Guild, she later obtained the Vinitaly Maestro certification and completed her studies with the WSET Diploma program. When she isn’t travelling in wine country or hosting her popular Apéro pop ups, you can find her moderating and presenting seminars at various events such as Cornucopia Whistler Wine Festival. She recently placed top 3 in Canada in the prestigious global South Africa Sommelier Cup competition and is now an ambassador for Wines of South Africa locally.