La Bussola has remained one of Kelowna’s landmark restaurants since 1974. A true family business, the Coccaro family has created a culture that mirrors their Italian heritage with a foundation of great food and wine. Founders Francesco and Lauretta Coccaro were both raised in a beautiful village in Italy called Valle dell’Angelo (which translates beautifully to Valley of the Angels) and brought with them the traditions of their farm to table lifestyle. Instilling these high standards into their own children, Luigi heads their wine program bringing his huge passion for wine and impressive credentials in wine education including Diploma in Wine and Spirits through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) as well as being a Certified Sommelier through Sommelier Guild of America.
La Bussola’s award-winning wine list has become legendary through Luigi’s vision and collection of both international and local wines.
A look inside the glass wine cellar that can be viewed at the back of the restaurant will leave wine-aficionados gasping for air – or more likely, grasping their glassware. As his collection of offerings grows, Luigi has taken their wine list to an innovative new level and now presents that menu on a tablet! Customers can now delve into the wine list’s many pages with a simple click and Luigi can update, amend and of course add to it with ease. Bravo!
Luigi loves to share his passion for wine and has hosted a series of amazing wine dinners at the restaurant featuring some of the wine world’s biggest stars – international and local. Names like Alberto Zenato, Masciarelli, MASI, MS DLynn Proctor (from the movie “SOMM”) have been in house and there are plans for many more. Make sure to contact Luigi to get on their private wine club list – members will be contacted first for tickets or announcements for these events. Email labussola@telus.net or text Luigi at 250-864-6110.
“Tutto a tavola a mangiare!” – everyone to the table to eat!
~ Jennifer Schell