The Local Cellar

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The Local Cellar

The Local Cellar offers Wine Consultation and Private Event Tastings. I come to you and teach you what you want to know in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

The Local Cellar offers services in Wine Consultation for home or business and Private Event Tastings. Wine Consultation for home consists of building a cellar from scratch or filling in gaps from already existing cellars. There is access to sourcing and buying product directly through the agent or via a secondary business. Creating an online inventory of the wines with cellar potential drinking w

indows, notes, and reviews etc are possible. The process can be as in depth as the client chooses. Consultation for business is quite similar, with the addition of creating or adjusting hospitality menus. Staff training is also an option. Private Event Tastings are catered around what the client is after, whether it be a friends gathering, a special occasion (birthday, bachelorette etc), a dinner party with pairings, or a blind tasting event etc. Glassware rental is available. Tasting cards for guests are also included. If you or someone you know may be interested in any wine or spirit services, please contact me for further information. Thank you!

09/07/2025

And the lady behind the project…

Hi, my name is Marissa and I’m super excited for this Sunday’s ‘Pour Decisions’ Wine Pop Up Party .victoria

It’s going to be a really busy (literally) afternoon down in Oak Bay and also a hot summer’s day. So, wear those wide brimmed hats and super big shades because we are going to have a good time sipping on wine and grooving to some sweet beats by

A little about me, I am a certified wine expert with an extensive background in wine and spirits that has led me to be a successful Product Consultant for the flagship BC Liquor Store, Fort Street on Vancouver Island, BC.

I founded my business in 2018, out of passion for wine and educating others in a fun, interactive and non-pretentious manner. I am by no means a wine snob or cork dork, just an extremely devoted woman wanting to share my enthusiasm for this ever-changing world of wine with you!

Check out my bio for more information on me and my business!

Cheers and See You Sunday🥂

08/07/2025

A great day yesterday celebrating newly built tasting room and production facility.

What a beautiful space they have built! Anyone can surely enjoy the open concept they have created for various styles of events and tasting sessions. Winemaker can be seen in the private events room showcasing the wall of barrels.

Thanks Unsworth for a lovely afternoon of indulgence … the Pinot Gris Saison 👍🏻👍🏻!

03/07/2025

Do you like wine? Patios? Live music? Food?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to any or all of these questions then you should make the right kind of Pour Decision this summer and join me at this event:

🍷 POUR DECISIONS: A SUMMER WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE 🍷
Sunday, July 13th | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen Café – Patio, Oak Bay Village

An immersive wine tasting experience nestled on the charming patio of Ottavio in Oak Bay Village.

The event will be hosted by a passionate wine enthusiast and certified sommelier (that’s me!), this curated tasting will take you on a journey through a hand-selected lineup of exciting, under-the-radar wines — thoughtfully chosen to intrigue your palate, spark conversation, and ignite your curiosity for what’s new and noteworthy in the world of wine.

🎟 Tickets: $30 per person includes a flight of 5 wines

Includes full access to the wine tasting experience, seating and live music and nibble offerings.

Limited spots available!

📍 Location:
Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen Café
2272 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, BC
Patio seating under the summer sun in the heart of Oak Bay Village.

Nibbles: Enjoy a selection of gourmet food offerings available for purchase, including artisanal cheeses, Italian-style small plates, and seasonal nibbles crafted by Ottavio kitchen.

Music: Settle in and soak up the atmosphere with live music performance by the ever talented Dj , who will put together the perfect soundtrack to your Sunday afternoon.

Secure your ticket now — because sometimes, the best decisions are Pour Decisions. Link available .victoria under Events.

Come make some Pour Decisions this summer and join me while I walk you through a good time!

https://www.ottaviovictoria.com/product/pour-decisions-episode-one-july-13th-1pm-4pm/3OWNXZIPZL7XWFB5IPVII7KL?cs=true&cst=custom

26/06/2025

Reminiscing on this cool collection that I recently off loaded for someone to a new buyer’s home across the water. A few ‘ol beauties among the bunch for sure.

Check out some of those vintages and from who and where 🤩 *drool!

- Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru 1994 and Clos de Beze Grand Cru 1994
- Faiveley Mazi Chambertin Grand Cru 1994
- Penfolds Grange 1990
- Joh. Jos. Prum Auslese 2005
- Fleur Petrus 1995
- Chateau Figeac 2005

These were just some of the amazing gems among the treasure chest ✨

I’ve really been enjoying helping those wanting to fine new, cozy homes for their beloved collections. It brings me a sense of joy to put smiles on not just the person saying, goodbye but the new person saying, hello.

Send me contact info along if you know someone looking to downsize. I’m here to help!

24/06/2025

Every year as we inch closer to June we eagerly await the Provençal Rose launch. The beautiful salmon pink colour in varying degrees of shades, whether it’s Coho, Spring or Sockeye, the excitement for Rose All Day grows. Aromas and flavours of pink grapefruit, orange blossom, watermelon, white peach and lavender are real. Some very delicate while some fruit forward.
Whatever it is you fancy, I suggest picking one of today. Not all of these special wines last forever.

19/06/2025

✨Wine Highlight✨

Who doesn’t want a really, well tailored Chardonnay?!? If you want big and beautiful, this is it!

Enate Chardonnay Barrel is a white wine produced by the Enate winery in Salas Altas (Huesca) D. O. Somontano. A wine elaborated with Chardonnay from our own vineyards. One of the winery’s flagship wines. It boasts a magnificent balance between fruit and oak brought about by the careful development of the wine on its lees balanced with its barrel-aging.

The winery vineyard, about 500 hectares of between 25 and 35 years, is divided by the municipalities of High Salas, Low Salas, Creenzán and Basbastro. Located about 600 meters of altitude on little fertile limestone floors.

Exuberant and complex aromas reveal a tantalizing blend of varietal characteristics such as hazelnut and toasted bread; tropical fruits, including pineapple and grapefruit, and hints of toasted oak from the barrel-aging. On the palate it is mouth-filling and creamy and develops beautifully with a fresh acidity that finishes in an extraordinarily long finish, during which nuances of toastiness reappear.

Ideal with oily fish, white meat, smoked foods and strong cheese.

20/05/2025

Definitely cresting the hill with its golden yellow appearance, but still showing life with a splattering of acidity. What a surprise indeed. Forgot about this little and totally affordable gem I had stashed away. Glad I found it in time. It paired quite nicely with the sablefish dinner. From Blaye in Bordeaux. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend.

20/04/2025

Happy Easter 🪺

I really hope my child knows the wine is for me?!

One of the most prestigious Rioja houses there is.
The Bodega was formed in 1890 as a partnership of 5 quality-conscious growers keen to exploit the export potential for well-made, ‘modern’ Rioja. At this time, French vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera, and connoisseurs were having to look elsewhere for supplies of fine wine. Rioja, with its excellent climate and soils, had already attracted attention, and experiments with Bordeaux-style vinification and barrique-aging were proving very successful.

The 2015 Gran Reserva 904 Tinto offers great aromatic complexity, with notes of wild strawberry, red cherry, plum, blackberry and cranberry combined with aromas of to***co, brioche, ground coffee, caramel, cedar and cinnamon blossom. The alcohol and acidity are elegantly balanced on the palate and its polished, gentle tannins and freshness provide a smooth and refined mouthfeel. Fine, delicate and very long aftertaste, that will continue to be rounded with time in the bottle, making this new Gran Reserva 904 a wine with great cellaring potential.

#2015 #1890

02/04/2025

Recently, life has been good to me .. at last it feels. I’ve been cleared of my injuries and have been back in action at the gym for the past 4 weeks including some skiing in between.

I took this shot yesterday morning, a happy pic, no filter, no make up, just pure natural goodness. The sun was out which made me happy.

You know, no one ever tells you about the 40s. They’re like the dreaded f-ing 4’s for a child and parent. A gradual then drastic shift in hormones, weight gain; which seems like over night, chronic injuries or just pain in general, skin … ugh the bloody skin. The list now seems endless. And to combat this, another endless list of nutrition, exercise, and care. I’ve been blessed with a high metabolism my whole life until my 40s. It’s still there but it just prefers to high in the shadows like an idiot. Exercise and nutrition is different also…don’t over do it with the cardio make sure to strength train ..carbs before, protein after .. All the things that were done before but now in a different manner. And, don’t forget the supplements … god forbid! You’ve got the Mag, Bs, Cs and Ds, to say the least. Don’t forget the 3s and 6s and Aswaghanda and Rhodeola because fk, anti-stress and sleep is everything to literally keep you from breaking.

How I can go on and on about it, but I’m tired now, so I’m going to stop complaining. Just one question though. Why doesn’t anyone prepare you for the g.d. 40s??!

05/03/2025

I posted a story about two years ago where I was digging around up in the Bordeaux loft at work and my stone popped right out of the claws of my ring. Luckily, it fell in amongst a few open crates and I found it, but if it were to have fallen all the way down in the lower warehouse it was highly unlikely I wouldn’t have.
Well, finally it’s back at last with its other buddy where it belongs.

25/02/2025

Take a dose on me 🍷

I don’t often write posts about myself but I felt I was due for one.

First, I want to say, ‘Thank You’ to all my friends and family who have either reached out, I’ve spoken to or have helped me during these past couple of weeks and months. I’m hoping I don’t have any more ‘s&*t stick’ posts for a while.

The self portrait isn’t new, but I like that I was happy at the time it was take. So, it’s the one I decided to use.

Read the full story in the comments section.

17/06/2024

I’m not done yet…Haro, La Rioja Spain - what a cute town!! It is small and quaint, but also houses some of the oldest wine bodegas (warehouses) in the province. We arrived by train into the Haro Station direct from San Sebastián; instead of reverting back to Bilbao then south by train or bus from there. I like to time save where possible during the travelling portion when vacationing. There is only 2 taxi drivers in the town and I had set up thru WhatsApp on the train for Jose to pick us up from the station and bring us to our airbnb in the town centre. Our place was comfortable on the 3rd floor on a small street (all the streets are tight and small), and it had large windows that opened up and looked directly at the main town square. We arrived at 530pm and there were really only a few places open for a pre-dinner bevy because as you should know, many of the small towns really do do siestas like they say from 4pm till 7pm. So if you’re hungry, you’ll be s.o.l until then; however, you could always go to the mercado for some snacks. By 8pm all the tapa bars and restaurants had opened up, two hands worth. It is so great to see the community come out and feast. There were so many ‘older’ couples out enjoying their time together, conversing with friends over wine and food. One of our favourite restaurants on the whole trip was here. It was a tapa bar called, Bar Harmony that specializes in grilled tapas - super delicious! Another must visit town for the books! 🍷. rioja

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250-661-2088

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http://www.thelocalcellar.com/

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Our Story

Hi there!

My name is Marissa Major and I have decided to share my passion of wine and spirits through my new company, The Local Cellar with services in Wine Consultation and Private Event Tastings.

I am certified with merit in Advanced Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) from the U.K., as well as hold various other certifications; some of which are the French Wine Scholar and the Italian Wine Specialist. This knowledge has enabled me to work as a Senior Product Consultant with the flagship BC Liquor Store on Vancouver Island for many years.

I am determined and eager to share my interests and expertise with whomever chooses to follow my journey.