Faye MacLachlan Earns Michelin Sommelier Award at Langdon Hall

Faye MacLachlan, the director of wines and restaurant general manager at Langdon Hall, has been awarded the prestigious Toronto Michelin Sommelier Award in September 2025. This recognition highlights her dedication to enhancing dining experiences through carefully curated wine selections. MacLachlan oversees a team of eight sommeliers and manages an impressive cellar containing over 2,000 labels of wine.

During a recent interview at the dining hall of Langdon Hall, MacLachlan expressed her passion for wine and the connections it fosters. “I’m at your table, we’re talking wine, we’re here to have a great connection,” she said, emphasizing the personal touch she brings to her role. Her journey into the world of wine began two decades ago when a guest gifted her a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This experience ignited her curiosity, leading her to pursue a career in the wine industry.

As she developed her career, MacLachlan benefitted from the mentorship of Katy Moore, Langdon Hall’s former head sommelier. At a time when fewer women occupied sommelier positions, MacLachlan found inspiration in Moore’s guidance and support. “Without her, I wouldn’t have gotten as far, as fast,” she reflected on their shared experiences.

Breaking Barriers in the Wine Industry

Historically, the sommelier profession has seen limited female representation. While women have increasingly filled hospitality roles, it was not until 2011 that Jennifer Heuther became Canada’s first female Master Sommelier. Today, although a significant proportion of students enrolled in wine education programs are women, less than one-third of active sommeliers in the United States are female.

MacLachlan is committed to changing this narrative. Certified through the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), she teaches WSET certification classes. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Langdon Hall established a sommelier apprentice program, which allows employees to further their wine education while gaining practical experience. Graduates of the program are well-positioned for roles within Langdon Hall, ensuring a pathway for aspiring sommeliers.

MacLachlan believes this initiative is beneficial for both the apprentices and the broader service team. “It’s super valuable for the rest of our service team to look at that and go, ‘You know what? They’re building paths to a career here too,’” she noted, highlighting the potential for growth within the organization.

Continual Learning and Exploration

A successful sommelier must remain current in their knowledge of wines. MacLachlan emphasizes the importance of curiosity and self-directed learning, traits she developed while growing up on a maple syrup farm in Huntsville, Ontario. “If you wanted to know something, you went and learned about it,” she explained, reflecting on her upbringing.

Traveling has also played a crucial role in her education. MacLachlan seeks to contextualize her readings and gain insights into contemporary practices. “You’re never ever going to know everything. That curiosity and that hunger continues you on that drive,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to lifelong learning.

When discussing the wines that excite her, she pointed to lesser-known regions that utilize indigenous grapes. Among her favorites are Touriga Nacional and Fernão Pires from Portugal, as well as Croatia’s Pošip and Plavac Mali. These selections reflect her dedication to exploring diverse wine cultures.

Receiving the Toronto Michelin Sommelier Award was a significant moment for MacLachlan. While attending a wine professionals’ trip in Argentina, she received the news via her phone. Celebrating with the group, they toasted her achievement with champagne. “If I had to not be there, I was in the best second-best place, for sure,” she remarked with a smile.

Faye MacLachlan continues to elevate the wine experience at Langdon Hall, inspiring both guests and future sommeliers through her passion and expertise.