River Café

Set among the gardens and open green spaces of Prince’s Island Park, River Café has long been one of Calgary’s most distinctive dining destinations. Its setting is integral to the experience, but so too is a philosophy centred on regional, seasonal ingredients and a deep connection to the Canadian landscape. Under Proprietor Sal Howell and Executive Chef Kristen Livingston, the restaurant continues to champion local farmers, growers, foragers and producers, creating a cuisine that reflects a distinctly Canadian sense of place.

Sommelier and Cellar Manager Bruce Soley has guided River Café’s wine program since 1999. A graduate of the International Sommelier Guild, Soley has spent more than two decades developing a collection built around quality, regional expression and wines that complement the restaurant’s food. The list favours small, artisanal producers and reflects a preference for wines that communicate their origins and the philosophy of the people who make them.

River Café’s wine list spans the major producing regions of the world, organized to encourage exploration across grape varieties, regions and terroirs. It also gives Canadian wine its own dedicated category, reflecting the restaurant’s belief in the rapid progress and growing quality of wines being produced across the country.

For its thoughtful balance of Canadian identity and international wine discovery, River Café earns a VineRoutes Award of Distinction. It is a program that does not rely on size to make an impression, but instead demonstrates how a carefully considered wine list can deepen a restaurant’s connection to place.