Our Team
Rob Nellis
With more than 30 years of restaurant, sommelier, bartending and wine retailing experience, both in Canada and internationally, Rob is uniquely qualified to understand and identify new product opportunities and to promote quality wines within the Ontario marketplace. Certified with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), the International Sommelier Guild, the Algonquin Sommelier Program, The French Wine Society and The Italian Wine Society, Rob is a recognized and trusted wine educator.
Favourite Movie: Wish it could be something infinitely more urbane and sophisticated: Star Wars
My Favourite Wine Experience: The very first bottle of Mosel Riesling I ever tried. I honestly cannot remember the name of it now. I was a beer and whisky drinker. The wine I drank was merely a vehicle for alcohol…not a lot of thought put into it. This Riesling was electric on my palate though. It was spritzy and a bit sweet. It was the first time I really sat back and enjoyed every facet of a wine. I was hooked. And to this day, still get excited every time I open a bottle.
Margaret Hobbs
A strategic, analytical, creative entrepreneur with a track record of success in multiple beverage alcohol categories and distribution channels (LCBO General List, Vintages/Essentials, Grocery, Destination Collection & Consignment), Margaret was responsible for the growth and success of Hobbs & Co — a highly regarded agency in Ontario — for over 21 years. She is ISG-certified and is responsible for expanding B+C supplier and Liquor Board relationships and contributing to the effectiveness of operations.
Favourite Movies: (How can you pick just ONE?!?) Shrek, Thelma & Louise, The Princess Bride
Favourite Wine Experience: Cycling through the Côte du Rhône region of France with my father in the spring of 1990. After a picnic lunch on the galets roulés of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard, we very carefully teetered off to our B&B to sleep off our midday indulgence.
Morgan Powers
Born and raised in Ottawa, Morgan holds an Advanced Diploma (Algonquin College) in Advertising, Marketing & Communications Management. After more than 6 years’ of hospitality and fine dining experience—initially as a server and then as an Event Coordinator —she joined the Buyers+Cellars team in December 2018. As Communications Director, she works alongside our marketing agency to ensure there is a harmonious bridge between our brand and our producers and customers. Morgan holds her WSET Level 2.
Favourite Movie: A toss-up between Good Will Hunting and Pretty Woman.
Favourite Wine Experience: Driving through the Mandala Vineyards in Australia’s Yarra Valley with winemaker Charles Smedley, stopping to watch a mob of Kangaroos jumping through the vines.
Anyssa Dunn
A native of Perth Australia, Ottawa is now Anyssa’s adopted hometown. This young professional has an entrepreneurial spirit, varied office/paralegal/accounting experience and a penchant for administration work. She is responsible for keeping the wheels on the B+C bus going ‘round & ‘round! Anyssa holds a Diploma of Legal Studies and is completing a Bachelor of Laws Degree, by correspondence, through the University of New England (Australia).
Favourite Movie: Dirty Dancing (I have a thing for Patrick Swayze!)
Favourite Wine Experience: Joining the B+C team. Before working here, I was never a big wine drinker. Now I enjoy the process of choosing a bottle and experimenting with different grape varieties and styles.
Jamie Zipay
Jamie’s love affair with the hospitality industry began when he realized broadcasting was not his passion. Armed with a diploma in Journalism and a few years’ experience in television, he started serving as a way to pay bills when he went back to university… and he has been working bars and restaurant floors in Ottawa ever since. Before joining Buyers+Cellars as Territory Manager, Jamie spent 6 years in both on and off trade sales. He holds WSET Advanced (Level 3).
Favourite Movie: As a reader / gamer, I only watch about five movies a year, so my pool to choose from is limited. But I’ve always had a soft spot for Under the Tuscan Sun. Redemptive, heartfelt and comedic, with outstanding casting and a glorious setting. Though it’s hard to admit anything could be better than The Goonies.
Favourite Wine Experience: The only bad wine experience is the morning after a good wine experience! And I get a lot of enjoyment receiving messages from friends and family—professional or oenological novices alike—about the wines they are drinking, the vineyards they are visiting, their experiences, their opinions, their enthusiasm. Wine is contagious.
Curtis Stephenson
After more than 20 years in the hospitality sector, Curtis embodies the exceptional customer service and professionalism that drive fine dining and enhance guest experiences. He has used his knowledge and skills to develop the next generation of service professionals and in 2016 he helped open one of Canada’s top new restaurants. Curtis brings a passion to his role at Buyers+Cellars and is excited to take our Ottawa Tasting Room guests on an unforgettable journey through the world of wine.
Favourite Movie: Inception
Favourite Wine Experience: Going out with Robbie Nellis for the first time 20 years ago and being reintroduced to Riesling at the bar. And by reintroduced, I mean drinking copious amounts of Riesling directly out of the bottle and shouting, “I LOVE THE RESIDUAL SUGAR!”, above the blaring dj spinning Notorious BIG.
Ryan Gilchrist
Ryan is a seasoned wine professional, having led the Ontario sales efforts of a large Tier-1 Consignment Agency for almost 10 years. In addition, he has demonstrated experience in supplier relations, portfolio development, supply chain management and sales analytics. Spearheading our business development efforts as well as our Toronto sales program, his passion for wine and exceptional client service are a valuable addition to our team. Ryan is a WSET Diploma candidate.
Favourite Movie: A tie between Vertigo and North by Northwest
Favourite Wine Experience: Touring through Alsace with my now wife, Deb. It’s a wine region that I had long loved, and spending time there only reinforced that feeling. Bucolic villages, the omni-present Vosges mountains, great food and of course, wonderful wines. I will be back!
Anne-Marie Foré
Anne-Marie became hooked to the world of restaurants at the young age of 15, as a dishwasher at Pizza Hut. Driven by her passion for amazing wine, food and customer service, she spent the next 20+ years working every role imaginable in the hospitality industry. She holds a Sommelier Certificate as well as an Event Management Certificate from Algonquin College. As the Buyers+Cellars Brand Ambassador for Rosehall Run Winery (Prince Edward County), Anne-Marie brings an infectious passion and knowledge for these great wines to our team.
Favourite Movie: Boondock Saints & P.S. I Love You
Favourite Wine Experience: At my first winery job here in Ontario, I got to dive in and work alongside the vineyard hands, picking botrytis affected grapes off the rolling tables (and, of course, eating a few!). That always stuck with me and I still smile thinking about it; it kind of felt like I contributed to that vintage.
