PROFILES/BIOS - Guides

Jolene Palmer

A Summerland resident for almost thirty years now, Vancouver-raised Jolene spent her childhood summers visiting relatives in the Okanagan when "beaches and peaches" were the main attractions and the best wines had names like Schloss Laderheim and Baby Duck. Now that "vining and dining" is so popular, Jolene is delighted to be able to share her insider knowledge with Chef and Chauffeur clients. A former journalist, Jolene graduated as a certified sommelier in 2001 from Algonquin College in Ottawa and has worked for Andrew Peller wine shops in Ontario, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery in Summerland and the British Columbia Wine Information Centre in Penticton. Two years writing for British Columbia Wine Trails magazine introduced her to many of the Valley’s wine "characters", not to mention their cellars. If you are traveling through the interior, you might catch her educational but lighthearted "Okanagan Wine Minute" on Giant FM 100.7 which is based on the firm belief that "wine should be fun, not intimidating!"