Experts in our fields

Some consulting agencies are full of MBAs without any real world experience. Sure, we have academic credentials, but our team of consultants have their feet firmly planted in the vineyard. We are down-to-earth problem solvers, creative collaborators, experts in each of our specific fields. Our world class research and development services are enriched by each consultant’s deep personal knowledge and functional expertise. From social media to the cellar, market research to terroir expression, local campaigns to export planning, our team of consultants help you reach your goals.

Darcen Esau

BA, BMgt, MA

MANAGING PARTNER

Darcen Esau is a wine researcher specializing in consumer behaviour, sensory evaluation, and global trends. Darcen has supported dozens of wine producers and regional/provincial/national across Canada and internationally, with consumer research, export planning, marketing plans, sustainability initiatives, strategic planning, label design, and many other custom projects that he oversees with a team of multi-disciplinary experts.

Before co-founding Terroir Consulting, Darcen oversaw projects for some of the top research firms in the USA and Canada, including as Associate Vice President of Ipsos Reid. Darcen is now also part-owner and head of research at TasteAdvisor, developing the world’s only white-labeled wine tourism platform, which won gold in Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards.

Darcen holds a dual Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Lethbridge. He completed his Masters at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) where he studied the sensory experience of wine and how this impacts consumer decision making. Darcen continues to contribute to academic publications through multiple universities, including UBC Okanagan and Thompson River University.

Arnica Rowan

BCom, MA, DipWSET, LLAg

MANAGING PARTNER

Arnica Rowan is a global wine consultant based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Her special talents are strategy, planning, marketing and education; she loves elevating wine regions and family businesses to sustainable success. Arnica enjoys composing and managing multidisciplinary consulting teams.

With a passion for romantic wine stories, she has written for JancisRobinson.com, Fondata and is a contributor to the 5th edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine.

Previously a professor specializing in sustainable business, Arnica spoken at academic and business conferences from Pittsburgh to Marrakech. A serial entrepreneur, she has co-founded businesses in veterinary medicine, retail, and personal care, and has founded two international non-profits. In the wine industry, Arnica leverages her andragogical talents to support Vinica Education Society, a non-profit she co-founded, focussed on diversifying the wine industry.  

Arnica holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), a Master of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication, and a Wine and Spirit Education Trust Diploma. She is currently traveling and studying as a Master of Wine student.

Consulting Collaborators 

 

Terroir Consulting is powered by a talented team of subject specialists that collaborate on projects both big and small. Some of our recent collaborators include…

Ruth King
B.SC., EnCert, WSET3, AAg

export/market research, winemaking, winery management, sustainability

Sonal Singh
B.Sc., WSET3

social media, promotions, project admin

Galen Barnhardt
B.Sc., M.S., PAg

regenerative viticulture, winemaking, climate adaption, policy

Faye Wai
B.SC., B.Journ.

brand and content marketing, strategy, SEO, Cantonese translation

Robert Eyler
B.A., PhD

wine industry economics and forecasting

Jon Adrian

landscape, lifestyle photography and portraiture

Rhys Pender
Master of Wine

wine education, vineyard management, terroir analysis, appellation development

Linsey Reimer
B.F.A

graphic design, creative concepts, label and packaging design

Andrew Jefford
B.A., M.A.

wine analysis, regional evaluation and strategy, storytelling and narration

Katie Truscott
B.A., DipWSET

sales management, agency, hospitality and winery management

Chris Stenberg

videography, photography and film making

Krissy Neilsen
B.Journ., WSET3

hospitality training, wine clubs, media communications, marketing

Ben Bryant
B.Ap.Sc.

executive leadership, operational management, winemaking, international market development

Gabriela di Nardo
B.Bus., Cert.Sommelier, DipWSET3

wine education, social media and retail sales training, Spanish translation

Alyssa Farr
BMgt3

business coaching, financial analysis, operational optimization

Lindsay Kelm
BTM, WSET2

public relations, branding, communications, regional marketing

Vish Mayekar
B. Mgt

culinary concepts, menu development, restaurant management

Allan Dawe, Leger
BBA

research design, consumer panels, analytics and research analysis 

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