Personalities

Kevin Zraly, Guest Speaker

Kevin Zraly has studied winemaking techniques in all the major wine regions of the world and conducted wine classes for more than thirty years. He worked at the Windows on the World Restaurant from its opening in 1976 until September 11, 2001 and is the founder and teacher of the immensely popular Windows on the World Wine School. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the European Wine Council's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ursala Hermanski, Guest Auctioneer

Ursula has been standing at a podium from the very start of her career at Christie's in New York in 1984. Ursula worked as a furniture and decorations generalist until Christie’s called upon her to actualize her passion for the grape. In 1994, Ursula established Christie's New York wine department along with their original auction partner Zachys, the Scarsdale, NY fine wine mega-retailer. The Zachys-Christie’s New York wine auctions set new standards for the American wine auction market. Ursula left Christie's at the end of 1998 and jumped into the high adventures of the dot .com arena. Her pioneering interest in online wine auctions prompted Wine Spectator to profile Ursula in its article "The Changing Face of Auctions."

 With the 2006 harvest, Ursula joined Stan Kroenke and Charles Banks at Screaming Eagle . She was chosen for this position by Banks, who felt that her connection to the Napa Valley, as well as her experience of the world's finest wine, was a perfect fit for his efforts to create a new team to continue the excellence of the property. Ursula will also oversee the business of Jonata, Kroenke and Banks' new winery project in California's Central Coast. For relaxation, Ursula consults to the Elk Creek Lodge, a private 20,000 acre fly fishing mecca in northwest Colorado. She is also the author of The Wine Lovers Guide to Auctions: The Art & Science of Buying and Selling Wine (Square One Publishers).

Andrew McNamara, Guest Speaker

Andrew McNamara is the Master Sommelier for Premier Beverage Company. Previously, he directed the highly regarded beverage program at The Breakers Palm Beach. He was a finalist in 2006’s Best Young Sommelier in America competition, is one of only twelve people worldwide to receive the Krug Cup for passing his Master Sommelier Exam on his first attempt, and was named one of the “Best New Sommeliers of 2008” by Wine and Spirits magazine. Andrew’s career began at Arthur’s Wine Shop here in Charlotte.

Doug Frost, Guest Speaker

Doug Frost is a Kansas City author who according to USA Today, "likely knows as much as anyone in the world about how to make, market, serve and identify wines. He is one of only three people in the world to have both passed the rigorous Master Sommelier examination and also become America’s eighth Master of Wine. Frost has published several books on wine, and writes about wine and spirits for a number of journals and newspapers across the country. He was the recipient of the 2009 Cheers Beverage Industry Innovator of the Year Award, and is the host of Check Please!, an Emmy Award-nominated weekly public TV show filmed in Kansas City. He also appears as a featured judge on Public Television's The Winemakers and serves as the wine and spirits consultant for United Airlines worldwide. He is the founder and director of the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, a nine-year-old national competition, and is Head Judge and founder of the Mid-American Wine Competition, in its third year.

Adelsheim Vineyards, Bill Blanchard

Established in 1971, this family-owned and operated winery and estate vineyards are located in Oregon's northern Willamette Valley, and use sustainable farming practices. National Account Manager Bill Blanchard joined Adelsheim Vineyard in 2001 after more than 20 years of work inall three levels of the wine business in the west coast states. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge and a superior level of customer service to his work with 23 of our distributors in the U.S., western Canada and the Caribbean.

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Kathy Weitzel

Katie Wetzel Murphy, joined the family business in 1979. An enthusiastic ambassador, she travels the country, fueling the family-owned winery’s reputation. Today the Alexander Valley is a prominent appellation known worldwide as the source of elegant, age worthy wines. The Wetzel Family Estate now grows fourteen grape varieties, on diverse sites stretching from the banks of the Russian River up onto the hillsides.

Arietta, Fritz Hatton

 Fritz Hatton and his wife Caren founded Arietta, an ultra premium Napa producer of Bordeaux style blends, in 1996. Arietta has had two very distinguished winemakers: John Kongsgaard from 1996 to 2004, and Andy Erickson as from 2005. Total combined production of four red wines (including the celebrated Arietta H Block) and the Arietta “White Keys” is less than 2,500 cases. Visit Arietta's website.

Bells Brewery

Bell's Brewery produces the Bell's brand of beer and also has a brewpub called the Eccentric Cafe which serves their beer and food. Larry Bell founded Kalamazoo Brewing Company in 1983 as a home-brewing supply shop. In 1985, it began to sell its own beer, producing 135 barrels in its first year. The brewery today consists of two separate brewing facilities, the original Kalamazoo Avenue facility, and the state-of-the-art Krum Avenue Plant, in Comstock Township, Michigan, which opened in 2002. As of 2005, Kalamazoo Brewing Company changed their name to Bell's Brewery, Inc.

Bouchaine Estates, Greg Gauthier

Bouchaine Vineyards is the oldest continually operated winery in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. Established in 1928 by Italian immigrant Johnny Garetto, and purchased by Gerret and Tatiana Copeland of Wilmington Delaware in 1981 the winery has sustained a long legacy of family ownership. Its vineyards are farmed using sustainable practices leaving a gentle imprint on the land, and have received the Napa Valley Green Certification, an endorsement that we are in accordance with the preservation of our natural resources.

BURLY Cabernet & McCrorie Family Vineyards, Hank & Bernice McCrorie

Hank McCrorie grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. After a long and successful career selling pharmaceuticals for Phizer, Hank and his wife, Bernice, who was born and raised in Sonoma County, California, decided to retire to Napa Valley. When the opportunity came from the Simpkins Ranch in the Coombsville area of Napa Valley to buy grapes from 9 ½ acres of newly planted Cabernet Sauvignon, they finally had a chance to turn a hobby into a passion, and Burly came to life in 2004.

Castello di Volpaia, Giovannella Stianti

Giovannella was born in Florence, Italy. As a wedding gift, her father Raffaello presented Giovannella and her husband, Carlo, with the Volpaia estate, an ancient walled village in Chianti Classico. Today, the couple works with their two children, Nicoló and Federica, to produce wine from their two organically farmed estates, Volpaia and Prelius in Maremma. Visit Castello di Volpaia's webite.

Ceretto Estate, Roberta Ceretto

Roberta Ceretto is the eldest child of Bruno Ceretto, who with his brother, Marcello, is credited for setting the benchmark for quality among Barolo and Barbaresco producers. Today, Roberta, her brother and two cousins (Marcello’s children) manage the Ceretto family’s wine estates. She lives in Alba and is responsible for the family’s many cultural and artistic projects. Visit Ceretto Estate's website.

Charles Krug Winery - Mark McClure

Quality winemaking begins in the vineyards, and the vineyards of Charles Krug Winery are the keystone of Napa Valley's first winery. Clonal selections for growing red Bordeaux varietals is key to much of our redevelopment, and our organic and sustainable farming practices in the majority of the vineyards contribute to our production of the best wines from the Napa Valley.

Chateau Montelena, Cameron Parry

The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Montelena Estate Zinfandel are grown in one of the world’s most unique winegrowing properties. The site’s diversity of soils and slopes translates directly into the layers of complex flavors in our wines.

Cam Parry has been an integral member of the winemaking team at Chateau Montelena since 2004, and was named winemaker in 2008. As such, he is responsible for management of all winemaking, cellar activity, and laboratory protocol – under the direction of Master Winemaker Bo Barrett

Childress Vineyards

Childress Vineyards is a winery that opened in northern Davidson County, North Carolina in 2003. Grapes are grown locally at the 65-acre vineyard, at Childress' home estate, as well as are purchased from local growers. To help fulfill Richard's vision of creating North Carolina's signature winery, Richard recruited the talents of Mark Friszolowski, a nationally acclaimed winemaker. Having won hundreds of awards for his wines, Mark has a track record in the wine industry as impressive as Richard's record in the field of racing.

Darioush Vineyards, Allen Papp

Allen Papp joined the Darioush winery team in early 2002 when visitors were welcomed in the construction trailer, that still holds many fond memories for some of the first Darioush fans. Allen now heads the National sales directives at the winery. He, his wife Terri and their two adopted greyhounds (Sloan & Tessa) currently reside in Lighthouse Point, Florida.

Domaine Serene, Grace Evenstad

Ken and Grace Evanstad founded Domaine Serene Vineyards and Winery in 1989 when they purchased 42 acres of just-logged land in the Dundee Hills of Oregon to plant, grown and produce ultra premium Pinot Noir. They have been involved in every aspect of growing, producing and marketing Domaine Serene wines. Their wines have won many accolades and awards, including outstanding (top rating) Oregon producer by Robert Parker

Duckhorn Wine Company, Frank Barbagalla

As East Coast Manager for Duckhorn Wine Company, Frank oversees the company’s sales and market development on the East Coast. Working closely with our distributor partners and educating both trade and consumers in the wine community, Frank plays a key role as both brand ambassador and spokesman for our three winery estates – Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx, and Goldeneye.

Eric Solomon Selections, Eric Solomon

As an importer, Eric is a champion of indigenous varieties and lesser known appellations with a knack for uncovering seriously delicious wines – including many selections where Grenache plays a major role. Heralded by critics, including recognition as one of Robert Parker’s Wine Personalities of the Year, Food & Wine Magazine’s Best Importer, and Person of the Year at the 2008 Hospices du Rhone, Eric continues to seek out “the next big thing” and uncover the many treasures that lay hidden in the European landscape.

Failla, Ehren Jordan

While the history of Failla (pronounced FAY-la) is short it is not without its complexities. Founded as Failla Jordan in 1998, it took its name from the husband-and-wife team of winemaker Ehren Jordan and fellow debtor Anne-Marie Failla. That year we planted our Estate vineyard on the Sonoma Coast and began buying fruit for our first releases, the very Rhône-style ‘98 Alban Vineyard Viognier and ‘98 Que Syrah Syrah.

Falcor Winery, Mike Bee

Mike Bee, Wine Connoisseur & Attorney-at-Law, joined forces with Jim Peterson in 1990. Mike and Jim have become legendary for their dinners in Napa, inviting locals, winemakers and even people they have just met in tasting rooms to join them in enjoying and discussing wine. It was at one of these dinners that Mike and Jim met Andy Gridley, which ultimately led them to noted winemaker Ray Coursen of Elyse Winery. Thus, in 1995, Falcor Wine Cellars was born.

Figge Cellars, Peter Figge

Figge Cellars is a boutique winery producing single vineyard, small lot wines in Monterey, California. Peter Figge is the vineyard manager for or works closely with some of the most prestigious vineyards in Monterey County and handpicks Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah grapes to produce five wines and 1800 cases each season.

Flying Dog Brewery, Jim Caroso

Flying Dog Brewery is a beer brewery now located in Frederick, Maryland. Originally opening in 1990 as a brewpub, it became the first brewery to open in Aspen in over 100 years, and one of the first brewpubs in the Rocky Mountain region. In 1991, Flying Dog’s “Doggie Style” was bottled and won the “The Best Pale Ale in America” award at the Great American Beer Festival.

Grateful Palate, Robert Farver

Charles Hendricks sees himself as an assistant to the natural bounty of the vineyards, and uses his knewledge and experience to guide and coax the very best from the wine grapes. He believes in minimal intervention and the wine cellar, and over the years has assembled the world’s finest portfolio of Australian Shiraz.

Hope & Grace Wines, Charles Fredrick

Hirsch Vineyards, David & Jasmine Hirsch

Bought property in 1978; planted Old Vineyard to pinot noir and Riesling in 1980. Quit day job 1987 to develop vineyards: 44 acres planted 1990-1996; 25 acres planted 2002-03. Responsible for reminding everyone ad nauseam our goal always to focus on the site; that important developments are fruits of mistakes made with a serious attitude; and to never forget that we don’t know what we don’t know.

Jordan Vineyards and Winery, Kathleen Olivier

Jordan Vineyard & Winery lies tucked into the hills of Alexander Valley in Sonoma County—one of the world’s finest winegrowing regions. The vineyard strives to place in harmony the complexities of terroir, the artistry of the cellar and the joys of the table.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Chris St. Marie

Keenan Winery, Mike Keenan

Ken Wright Cellars, Ken Wright

Located in rural Carlton, Oregon, Ken Wright Cellars is devoted to showcasing the inherent quality of selected vineyard sites. With a clarity and breadth that is unequaled by other varieties, we believe Pinot noir best expresses the character of these sites. Rather than stamping wine with a varietal trademark, we see Pinot noir as a vehicle for conveying the aroma, flavor and texture of the location in which it is grown.

King Estate, Gary Lynn

Gary Lynn joined the King Estate Sales Team in 2001 after being the Vice President and Eastern Division Manager of Napa Valley's Rutherford Benchmarks, Inc., a company that he helped found in 1995. Prior to that, Gary spent 23 years with the wine division of Brown Forman Corporation, rising to the position of Southern Division Area Wine Manager. Gary's background also includes distributor sales experience with McKesson in Miami, Florida. Gary holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Tampa and is a native of Miami.

Lambert Bridge Winery, Andy Wilcox

Landmark Vineyards, Mary & Mike Colhoun

Landmark Vineyards, founded in 1974, is a Spanish mission style winery located on a lush, gorgeously landscaped 20-acre wine estate at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in the Sonoma Valley. Michael and Mary Calhoun, collaborating with winemaker Eric Stern, have produced wines which have consistently garnered rave reviews from the wine writers. Its signature wine, the Overlook Chardonnay, has appeared on The Wine Spectator Top 100 list 7 times.

Maison Joseph Drouhin, Laurent Drouhin

Laurent Drouhin lives near New York City. He manages the development of the market and the image of the brand in the United States and the Caribbean. The United States is Joseph Drouhin's top export market. Laurent graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Gestion in Paris and soon after became Joseph Drouhin's Marketing Director for the Paris market.

Marimar Torres, Marimar Torres

Marimar Torres has been involved in the wine business all her life. Born in 1945 in Barcelona, Spain, she is fluent in six languages and holds a degree in Business and Economics from the University of Barcelona. At Marimar Estate, she directs the activities at the winery and its two vineyards: Don Miguel, named for her late father, in Sonoma County's Russian River/Green Valley; and Doña Margarita, after her mother, in the Sonoma Coast Appellation.

Morlet Family Vineyards & Peter Michael Winery, Luc Morlet

Luc & Jodie Morlet produce vineyard designated wines and unique cuvées of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle from Sonoma County as well as Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley. Meticulously farmed vineyards and low-intervention winemaking techniques produce powerful yet refined wines. Luc Morlet represents the fourth generation of a French winemaking family. Growing up in Avenay-Val d’Or, he spent all his spare time working on his family’s estate. His university studies of viticulture and winemaking were put into practice during years of work in vineyards and wineries in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the south of France. When Luc left France in 1996 to join his wife Jodie in her native California, his goal was to adapt the old world principles he knew so well to his new home. The Morlet style results in wines which are harmonious in their intensity, richness, complexity and refinement. Morlet wines clearly display personality, seamless character and graceful ageing capability. Visit Morlet Family Vineyard's website.

Newton Vineyards

Newton Vineyard was established as one of the region’s first wineries in 1977, the vision of founders Dr. Su Hua and Peter Newton. Respect for nature is reflected in all aspects of Newton Vineyard, from the terraced vineyards and organic winery design to the meticulous winemaking practice. The vineyard blocks are interspersed with forested land to maintain a balance with the natural habitat, and whenever possible, Newton wines are fermented using indigenous yeast to preserve the natural fruit characteristics achieved in the vineyards.

Orin Swift Cellars, Melissa Leonardini

Over the last few years, Orin Swift has added Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc to the program, and has streamlined the Zinfandel into its flagship wine,, "The Prisoner". In addition, we recently purchased forty-eight acres of raw land in the hills above Oakville and hope to build a winery there. Until then, visit us at our newly renovated offices and tasting room located in the heart of downtown St. Helena.

Perception Wines, Mark Ray

As the winemaker and co-founder of Perception Wines, Mark Ray combines a lifetime of exposure to wine, with more than a decade of hands-on experience working alongside some of California’s most renowned winemakers at such acclaimed wineries as Williams Selyem, Turley and Neyers. At Perception Wines, Mark practices an artisan approach, taking personal responsibility for every detail in the winemaking process, as he works to craft a small portfolio of exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel.

Robert Foley Vineyards, Robert & Kelly Kehoe

Upon graduation from Davis in 1977, Bob began his professional career at Heitz Cellar in the Napa Valley. Following basic cellar training at Heitz, he accepted a position as founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards in the months prior to their inaugural vintage in 1978. Over the course of the next 15 vintages, Bob developed their winemaking programs devoted to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Saintsbury Winery, Dick Ward

Richard Ward is a native of North Carolina. He graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Structural Engineering in 1972.  In 1976, he enrolled in the Masters degree program in enology at the University of California, Davis.  In 1981, he and David Graves founded Saintsbury, which has become an internationally known producer of fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

In 1995 Mr. Ward served as President of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, a 375-member trade association of Napa Valley wineries. He lives in St. Helena with his wife Linda Reiff, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Vintners.

Schug Carneros Estate Winery, Walter Schug

Walter Schug, former winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards, began his own label in 1980 to pursue his love of Pinot Noir. In 1990 the Schug Carneros Estate Winery was established just outside of Sonoma where award winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays continue to be produced.

Silver Oak Cellars & Twomey Winery, Tom Johnson

13 years with Silver Oak Cellars. 39 years in the wine industry, starting with working for a distributor and including time with Franciscan, Rutherford Hill, Inglenook, and Vias Imluports. Tom worked for Justin Meyer and Ray Duncan, the founders of Silver Oak, when they were owners of Franciscan in 1976 – 1980. When approached by Justin Meyer to join Silver Oak, Tom agreed because he knew that joining Silver Oak meant becoming part of a very special wine family.

Tom has been married 43 years and has one daughter and two granddaughters, and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Solena Estates, Laurent Montalieu & Danielle Andrus Montalieu

In May 2002, two years after Laurent Montalieu and Danielle Andrus Montalieu purchased an 80-acre estate to commemorate their marriage, they launched Soléna Estate, named after their daughter.  The estate property was planted with several clonal selections of Pinot Noir and is now home to the Soléna and Grand Cru Estates winery, completed just in time for the 2009 harvest. Visit Solena Estates' website .

Spanish Vines, Josh Hackler

Spanish Vines was founded to introduce in the U.S. the most affordable, award winning Spanish wines, that are strongly infused with the true rhythm and brilliance of the Spanish culture.

Veuve Clicquot

Vineyard 29, Chuck McMinn

As native east-coasters, Chuck and Anne McMinn have resided in northern California since the late 1970’s. While living in Silicon Valley their interest in wine was piqued, soon followed by fate and opportunity. They acquired Vineyard 29 in 2000 and have successfully merged time tested winemaking practices with the latest technologies to hand craft our 29 Estate, Aida Estate and Cru wines in our sophisticated, gravity flow winery and caves in St. Helena.

W. & J. Graham's Port

Founded in 1820, W. & J. Graham's is a consistent leader in producing exceptional Vintage Ports in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Six Grapes is a big-hearted wine, sourced from the same vineyards that contribute to Graham’s famed Vintage Ports in ‘declared’ years. We think of it as the ‘everyday Port for the Vintage Port drinker.’ For more information, visit premiumport.com, grahams-port.com.

WineSmith, PennyFarthing & Planet Pluto, Clark Smith

Winemaker Clark Smith entered the industry in 1971 and served as winemaker for the R.H. Phillips Vineyard for seven years. In 1990, he began Vinovation, now the world's largest winemaking consulting company, with over 1200 clients around the world. Clark has three brands- WineSmith, PennyFarthing, and CheapSkate. Clark also teaches courses at 6 different colleges.

Writers Block, John Johnstone

A small project begun at Steele Wines in 2002 by Jed Steele and his son, Quincy Steele, Writer's Block has blossomed into an acclaimed line of nine wines. The Writer’s Block wines invite you to take a sip, relax into the bucolic, wisdom-bound realms of Dionysus and to remember Demeter by reaping the harvest of whatever inspired message you find in the effects of this adventurously fermented experience.