Andrew Rastapkevicius

That thing I do (Occupation)

Provide the best service I can to all my licensees and LCBOs in Kingston, Prince Edward County and the 1000 Islands. I sell wine, hold wine tastings, write wine lists and do staff education. You’ll also see me holding down the LCBO tasting bar from time to time handing out smiles and pouring you free samples of something amazing.

Fondest wine memory

Indiscriminately tasting my way through a room full of hundreds of bottles of Lifford wine with Norman Hardie and Ruud Maasdam of Staete Landt from 1am into the wee hours of the morning. My fondest wine memory is consequently followed by my worst morning memory and worst car ride home memory.

Favourite Lifford wine

Il Borro IGT and anything from Domaine Weinbach are sure favorites. Cullen Chardonnay, Gigi Rosso Barolo Reserva, Port Phillip Estate Shiraz and Speri Amarone also top the list. As an everyday wine (and my mom’s favorite), Black Anvil ‘man wine’ should get a firm, rugged nod.

First job

Probably scampering behind the tractor at 6 or 7 years old, transplanting little tobacco plants in the spots where the planting machine had missed. Growing up on a tobacco and vegetable farm there really wasn’t a “first job” per se; life was always a job from the outset.

Indulgence

Really good coffee, thick pieces of beef, documentaries and wine (obviously).

What or where do I retreat to?

To my kitchen to cook; with some wine on my porch; or to Kingston’s Cataraqui river to row everyday at 5am (competitive sweep-rowing, none of this kayaking or dragonboating business).