“Going Vertical for the Kids” brought together world-class wine and music last weekend in support of the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation (EBYF), raising almost $60,000 for Elk Valley youth.
Held at a private residence at Fernie Alpine Resort, the intimate concert fundraiser was conceived and hosted by wine expert Glenn Fawcett, former CEO of Black Hills Estate Winery. The evening featured a rare seven-year vertical tasting of “Nota Bene,” one of Canada’s most sought-after red wines, paired with live music performed by John Eaves and Walter Bruns in a thoughtfully curated concept titled Seven Songs for Seven Wines.
With just 75 guests and tickets priced at $500 per person, the event sold out quickly. Presented by Mawer Investment Management and Black Hills Estate Winery, every dollar raised went directly to EBYF programming.
Fawcett’s storytelling guided guests through each vintage in the vertical tasting—spanning multiple standout years of Nota Bene—while Eaves and Bruns matched each wine with a live acoustic performance. Fawcett’s deep knowledge of wine and flair for narrative set the tone. Eaves and Bruns delivered performances that were reflective, powerful, and rooted in a lifetime of adventure.
John Eaves is no stranger to pushing limits. A former world champion freestyle skier, he competed at the highest level during the early evolution of the sport and later gained international recognition as a James Bond stuntman, performing high-risk ski sequences that blended athletic precision with cinematic drama. Today, he channels that same intensity into music, creating intimate, story-driven performances shaped by a life spent in the mountains.
Walter Bruns brings his own iconic legacy. As the longtime CEO of Canadian Mountain Holidays, Bruns helped build CMH into the global gold standard of heli-skiing, elevating Canada’s reputation as a premier destination for big-mountain adventure. In recent years, he has embraced music as a creative outlet, forming a compelling partnership with Eaves that blends reflection, storytelling, and acoustic craft.
Together with Fawcett and foundation founder Emily Brydon, the quartet created a night that felt distinctly rooted in excellence and generosity.
Founded in 2006 by two-time Olympian and Fernie resident Emily Brydon, the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation was built on a simple but powerful idea: no child in the Elk Valley should miss out on opportunity because of financial barriers.
Brydon represented Canada at the 2006 and 2010 Olympic Winter Games and achieved multiple World Cup podium finishes during her alpine skiing career. Known for her resilience and competitive drive, she has carried that same commitment into community leadership since retiring from competition.
Since its inception, EBYF has invested more than $1 million directly into youth in Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, and Elko. The foundation helps families cover the costs of sports, arts, camps, clubs, and educational pursuits—ensuring kids can participate, grow, and thrive regardless of circumstance.
Events like “Going Vertical for the Kids” are critical to that mission. They not only generate essential funding, but also remind the broader community that supporting youth is a shared responsibility.
From the presenting sponsors to the musicians, from the host to every guest who purchased a ticket and donated extra funds, the evening demonstrated what happens when leadership, creativity, and generosity align. Fawcett’s vision, Eaves and Bruns’ performances, Brydon’s enduring commitment, and the support of Mawer Investment Management and Black Hills Estate Winery made the event truly special.
Most importantly, 75 attendees showed up not just for exceptional wine and music—but for the kids of the Elk Valley.
And that’s what made the night unforgettable.
