Portage was born in 2017, from a deep passion and desire to bring some of Europe’s finest Old World and New World wines to the West Coast. The wines are unique, always the highest quality available and each promote a deep respect for tradition and craft.

Portage is inspired by its founder Paul Moore, an avid traveller and observer of the world, who has extensively travelled to the far reaches of the globe on trips of discovery. Building upon his deep passion and love of European culture, Paul has sought out fine art, music, culinary and wine especially in areas such as Spain, France and Italy.

Portage is born of this inspiration and pays homage to the classical wines of these regions. Portage is dedicated to bringing the finest wines available for the price to North America.

Portage has a commitment to providing truly authentic and difficult-to-source wines complemented with our passion, true knowledge and quality hands-on service. Style, taste, creativity and business acumen is reflected in our refined, cultured and world travelled approach to wine distribution.

There are many great wine producing countries in the world, but France remains as a benchmark for quality and style. As such, one of the highlights of Paul’s continuing wine education includes studying at the Bordeaux Wine Campus in 2017.

Bordeaux, France is situated amidst the romantic views of the French countryside in southwestern France on the Garonne River and is often called the La Perle d’Aquitaine, or the Pearl of the Aquitaine. The area is best known for its wine production and lends its name to Bordeaux wine. The city has recently undergone an urban renaissance and offers a unique mix of both contemporary and historical displays of gothic-baroque architecture.

During 2017, Paul spent 3 months in Europe touring Bordeaux as well as the other major wine regions of France: Champagne, Alsace, Beaujolais, Val de Loire, Borgogne, Sud-Ouest, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône and Provence.

Paul is currently studying for The French Wine Scholar™ Study and Certification program which provides current, accurate and in-depth information on the wines and wine regions of France. Developed and administrated by the Wine Scholar Guild with the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture, this specialization program is designed for advanced students of wine.

In 2017, Paul completed the London, UK WSET 2 Award in Wine and Spirits, which is an intermediate level qualification exploring wines and spirits for those working in the industry or wine and spirit enthusiasts. While providing a core understanding of wines, this qualification explores the major grape varieties and important wine regions in which they are grown.

He is currently studying for the WSET level 3 exam.

From 2017 – 2018, Paul completed the Business of Wine, as well as the French Wine Professional - Certification Program and has earned the French Wine Professional (FWP) post-nominal. These courses were created by James Cluer, Master of Wine and are proprietary courses run exclusively by Fine Vintage Ltd.