Glimmer’s Roots: Born in the Mountains, Built with Vision
At Glimmer, our story begins where many great ones do—over a glass of Champagne and a shared dream. It was May 2021 at the W North Conference in Whistler when Marina and Jane first imagined creating a sparkling wine in a can: something beautiful, elevated, and for everyone to enjoy. The idea sparkled with possibility, but bringing it to life proved far more complex than they first imagined.
As the business journey evolved, so did their personal habits. Both Jane and Marina shifted their relationship with alcohol and became fascinated by the emerging non-alcoholic movement. Jane was especially captivated by a particular de-alcoholized wine from France, which, despite its appeal, was often out of stock. That scarcity sparked a new idea—why not create their own premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine? With Jane’s business acumen and Marina’s unmatched branding and creative vision, the duo was ready to take on this new challenge.
The name “Glimmer” came to life just as organically as the idea itself. While driving the stunning Sea to Sky Highway—surrounded by mountains, ocean, and inspiration—Marina called Jane to share a new name she had just thought of: Glimmer. It perfectly captured the light, luxury, and joy they wanted to bottle.
Still, they knew one piece was missing: a partner who could lead the wine and food science side with the same level of passion and precision.
Enter Janet Helou
In the summer of 2023, during Whistler’s Wild Blue Long Table Dinner Series, Jane was seated beside Janet, who at the time was representing some of the world’s best Champagne houses and premium wines in the world of fine dining.
Jane was immediately taken by Janet’s deep knowledge of wine and her background in food science. Though their attempts to meet again over ski days didn’t align that winter, the connection lingered.
In January 2024, Janet reached out to Jane to share that she was seeking a new adventure. By June, she officially joined Glimmer as a partner—bringing her scientific expertise, wine nerd status, and a fresh energy to complete what is now the dream team.
And so, the story has come full circle.
Glimmer was proud to sponsor the 2025 W North Conference in Whistler—the very same event where that initial spark was lit. From dreaming over bubbles to pouring our own premium de-alcoholized sparkling wine at the conference, the moment was surreal and symbolic of how far we've come.
Explore the Long Table Dinner Series here: Wild Blue Restaurant – Long Table Series
