L’Abattoir’s Wine Program Earns Top Honours at Vancouver International Wine Festival

L’Abattoir’s Wine Program and Head Sommelier Andrew Forsyth
Earn Top Honours at Vancouver International Wine Festival

L’Abattoir is proud to celebrate their Sommelier team once again this year in receiving the Platinum Award at the 2025 Wine Program Excellence Awards, an honour the restaurant has held since 2018. This recognition, presented at the Vancouver International Wine Festival during the Annual Awards Lunch on Friday, February 28th, reaffirms L’Abattoir’s dedication to curating an outstanding wine program that enhances the restaurant’s Michelin Recommended culinary program.

This year’s panel of judges, including industry leaders Tom Doughty and DJ Kearney, evaluated this year’s submissions based on originality, creativity, and how well the program reflects each restaurant’s unique vision. At L’Abattoir, the wine list is designed to seamlessly complement the ever-evolving seasonal menus crafted by Chef Lee Cooper and Chef Charlie Kunsang, enriching the overall dining experience.

This year’s award comes on the heels of a remarkable personal achievement for Head Sommelier Andrew Forsyth, who was recently named Best Sommelier of BC at the prestigious competition hosted by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS). The competition, a rigorous test of skill and expertise, included advanced theory, blind tastings, and live service challenges—where Forsyth’s deep knowledge, technical precision, and hospitality excellence set him apart.

“Winning the CAPS competition was a huge honour, but what motivates me is sharing my passion for wine with our guests and our team every day,” says Forsyth. “This Platinum Award is a reflection of our entire team’s hard work, and I’m grateful to my colleagues who bring the same dedication and enthusiasm to our wine program each evening.”

L’Abattoir’s celebrated wine list, developed under Forsyth’s leadership alongside Michelle Haynes, Catherine Cote-Martel and Roger Maniwa, is designed to showcase both classic and adventurous pairings. The thoughtfully selected wines support both the Chef’s Menu with curated pairings and the a la carte menu with fantastic by-the-glass or by-the-bottle options. As a new addition for guests, Andrew and his team have crafted a selection of non-alcoholic pairings and offerings, embracing the growing interest in mindful drinking and low or no-alcohol options.

With these accolades setting the tone for an exciting year ahead, the team is thrilled to continue its commitment to showcasing BC’s wine excellence with the return of the Sipping Around BC winemaker’s dinner series in partnership with S. Pellegrino. Kicking off on Friday, April 4th, this first exploration of three different wine regions will highlight the wines of the Naramata Bench, offering guests an opportunity to try some wines that may only otherwise be available at the wineries themselves and hear stories about this wine region from the winemakers and winery principals.

Tickets for Sipping Around BC are available via L’Abattoir’s website—seating is limited.

ABOUT L’ABATTOIR | Located in the heart of historic Gastown since 2010, L’Abattoir is situated in a refurbished 19th Century heritage brick and beam building that pays homage to its history as the site of Vancouver’s first jail in the city’s main meatpacking district. Today, the Michelin Recommended restaurant has staked its claim as one of Canada’s best restaurants with a diverse array of French-inspired West Coast cuisine focusing on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients along with an ever changing selection of classic and signature cocktails and a broad list of BC and imported wines.

Whether in its bar and lounge, elevated dining room or glass and steel accented atrium, L’Abattoir offers dinner six nights a week from 5:00pm on Tuesday to Sunday. L’Abattoir also offers a beautifully appointed Private Dining Room that is completely separate from the restaurant dining room and is available to book for lunch or dinner, seven days a week for corporate events, weddings or other celebrations or gatherings.

217 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2 | 604.568.1701 | labattoir.ca

Facebook: /labattoir | Instagram: @labattoir_van