ANDY ALBA
Originally from San Diego, California, Andy Alba moved to San Luis Obispo in 1998. Since August of 2005 he has been producing wines for Dierberg/Star Lane Vineyards in Santa Ynez, CA. Previously, Mr. Alba was with Baileyana wines starting in 1999, the debut vintage of their winery in the Edna Valley. In February of this year, Andy was married and his wife, Jeni, will accompany him to this year's Grand Cru wine competition.

ROBERT LAWRENCE BALZER
Robert Lawrence Balzer’s expertise in the Food and Wine business is filled with interesting history and a variety of venues in which his talents are utilized. When asked “How did you get into the wine and food business”, his reply is simply that he was born into it. Mr. Balzer’s great-grandfather catered Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural in 1865. Mr. Lincoln didn’t get billing on the menu in the National Archives in Washington as it simply read “Presidential Inaugural”, but after the extensive menu, on the bottom of the page it reads “Furnished by G.A. Balzer, Confectioner”. Following the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Robert, in years to come, would create the “Taste of America” for the Inaugurals of Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

After graduating from Stanford, cum laude, in 1935 and attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Robert returned to Los Angeles to work with his father at Balzer’s on Larchmont for the next 35 years. Within those years he also worked for 32 years as a journalist-wine editor for the Los Angeles Times, and for 22 years as the Food and Beverage Editor with Travel-Holiday magazine. Robert Lawrence Balzer has been “The Word on Wine” for the past 5 years on radio with K-Mozart. Additionally, Mr. Balzer is a leading Wine Journalist having been published over a span of 68 years in the Los Angeles Times, Sunset Magazine, Wine Spectator, and Wine Enthusiast. In 1991, he was appointed Food and Beverage Editor for Les Amis Du Vin Magazine. Mr. Balzer is the author of twelve books, including (1985) “The Los Angeles Times Book of California Wines” (Harry N. Abrams, Inc.).

Among his honors, Robert Lawrence Balzer was awarded Wine Writer of the Year in 1986 by Wines & Vines Magazine, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award by Cal-Poly University for Los Angeles County Fair “Wines of America” 2000.

Robert’s expertise is sought after by wine enthusiasts that attend his wine appreciation class. This popular 8-week class, currently held at the Long Beach Hilton Hotel, has an enrollment of 80 students which includes leaders of the community, respected professionals, wine merchants, and restaurateurs. In addition, Mr. Balzer has been the stellar wine attraction aboard cruises with Carnival, Princess, and Crystal Harmony’s Wine Enrichment Program.

As well, Mr. Balzer’s expertise is sought after as a judge for several competitions. Beginning in 1946 Robert was one of the premier judges for the Los Angeles County Fair, and continuing annually for more than 25 years. Currently he is serving as a Judge in the annual Jerry Mead New World International Wine Competition held in February, and for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles at the Long Beach Grand Cru now in its thirteenth year.

STEPHEN BLOOM
Stephen Bloom is an importer of high-quality wines from small estates in Italy. He believes in wines that exalt the uniqueness of the varietals from which they are made and are expressive of the traditions and terroir from which they come. Stephen has been a judge at this competition since its early days and has been a regular judge at the Riverside International Wine Competition as well as for the Long Beach Grand Cru for the past six years.

JOE BORRELLO
Joe Borrello is President of Tasters Guild, International, a consumer/trade-based Food and Wine Appreciation Society with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Washington, D.C.; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a Certified Retail Marketing and Media Consultant for the Food Service and Wine Industries, owner of Borrello Marketing and Communications, and Author of Ask The Wine Guy: (Everything You Wanted to Know About Wine, but Didn’t Know who to Ask?, Recipes From The Wineries of The Great Lakes, Wineries of The Great Lakes – A Guidebook, and recently released Recipes from Gold Medal Wineries. Publisher/Editor of the nationally distributed magazine – Tasters Guild Journal.

Mr. Borrello is a frequent lecturer and classroom instructor on “Cooking with Wine” and has organized/hosted several food and wine tours through France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, California, New York, and Michigan. Additionally, for the last 20 years Joe has served as Managing Director for the annual Tasters Guild International Wine Judging and over twenty five years as a judge for wine competitions, including the Michigan State Fair Wine Judging, the Great Lakes Wine Judging, Indy International Wine Competition, Illinois State Fair Wine Judging, Finger Lakes International Wine Judging and the All-Canada Wine Competition.

LANCE BOWLING
Lance’s passion for wine began when he was a regional manager for a steak house chain and got “the wine bug”, wanting to learn, understand more about and of course, taste more wine. Subsequently, he has written several award winning wine and beer lists and has worked for wineries including Robert Mondavi, and Cuvaison, he was the National Sales Manager for Broadbent Selections and U.S. Sales Manger for Sacred Hill and Cairnbrae from New Zealand. He has taught food and wine pairing classes for The National Convention of Chefs in Las Vegas; The Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles; The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale; The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills and several Four Seasons hotels. He has judged several national wine competitions and has been a fan of Central Coast wines since he tasted his first “real American Pinot Noir” in 1978, a Sanford & Benedict at the Ranch House in Ojai. As fate would have, it he is now the General Manager of Casa Barranca winery in Ojai who makes wines from the Central Coast using organically farmed grapes. He loves food and wine and is a passionate home cook and he used to be a reasonably good golfer.

RENÉ CHAZOTTES
Originally from Madagascar, following private schooling in France and Switzerland, René Chazottes first set foot in the United States in 1967. Currently the Director of Wine Maitre Sommelier for The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, CA, René’s career prospered since his arrival and the following are some of his achievements:

Founder and Member of the Board of Directors of The Sommelier Association of California and Former Vice President of The Sommelier Society of America.

A sought after jurist for wine, chef and sommelier competitions at such well known events as:

• The Los Angeles County Fair
• National Orange Show Pacific Rim
• Riverside County National Wine Competition
• San Diego National Wine Competition
• Cofradia del Vino de Baja California (Wine Society of Baja California)
• Has judged for Sommelier contests both in the United States and France

A very popular guest speaker and makes several appearances a year, including:

• The Kapalua Wine Symposium
  Aspen
• The Society of Wine Educators
• The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at California State
  Polytechnic University, Pomona

Conducts Wine and Gastronomic tours in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, California, Washington, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

In 1988 René was pronounced “Best Sommelier” in the United States. He also is the only Frenchman outside of Europe to hold the title “Maitre Sommelier” and the title of “Commandeur” in the International Association of Masters counsel in French Gastronomies..

CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL COOK
Christopher Cook's career spans 20 years on both coasts, working for five newspapers, with stops along the way as a wine writer, wine competition judge, restaurant critic and restaurant guide editor.

Cook is chief restaurant critic for HOUR Detroit magazine and the weekly wine columnist of the Oakland Press, the suburban daily in Detroit. For 12 years, he was wine columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Since 2001, he has been superintendent of the Michigan State Fair Wine Competition. Since 1995, Cook has been editor of the Zagat Survey of Michigan restaurants. He was restaurant critic for the now-defunct Detroit Monthly magazine from 1988-1991.

His freelance writing on wine and food has been published in Newsday (NY), the San Diego Union, Kansas City Times, Crain's Detroit Business and other publications.

Cook judges wine competitions in the U.S. and abroad. He has judged the Royal Australian National Wine Competition in Canberra, the VinItaly competition in Verona, and the Long Beach Grand Cru (CA).

He is regular judge each year at:

• The Riverside International Wine Competition (CA) for 10 years
• The Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition (CA) for three years
• The Indianapolis International Wine Expo (IN) for three years.
• The Long Beach Grand Cru (CA) wine competition for two years
• The Great Lakes International (MI) for six years
• The Michigan State Fair Wine Competition for 18 years

Cook has been a speaker, panelist or moderator on more than 100 occasions at wine and food conferences and conventions, including the Midwest International Wine Expo in Chicago, and for the past two winters at the Vintners Holiday Series at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park (CA). He also has hosted wine dinners for restaurants and organizations around the Midwest.

In his other life, Cook is a documentary filmmaker, producer, writer and director whose honors include four regional EMMYs, a TELLY, and two Clarion Awards from the Association of Women in Communications. His work has appeared on public television, History Channel and elsewhere. He is a freelance producer for ABC News and NBC News, and has field produced segments for the National Geographic channel, VH1, NBA Entertainment and HBO Entertainment.

He has held various reporting and editing positions for several newspapers: Newsday, Staten Island Advance, San Diego Union, Kansas City Times, Detroit Free Press and was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism at Newsday.

Cook was born in England, grew up in France and came to the U.S. when he was 19-years-old and is bilingual. He is bilingual. He attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY and was awarded journalism fellowship at the University of Michigan 1981-82. He is married and lives in Ann Arbor, MI.

MITCH COSENTINO
Mitch Cosentino began making wine in small lots in 1980 in Modesto, California. Ten years later he moved his operation to the Napa Valley. Here, he continues a hands-on, old world approach to winemaking. The use of punched cap fermentation a labor-intensive, hand-crafted method of winemaking, sets Cosentino apart.

Cosentino’s passion for winemaking and respect for traditional methods has resulted in a somewhat untraditional approach. Today, more than 30 ultra-premium, limited production wines are produced with more than 15 varietals. “I don’t eat just one type of food,” said Cosentino. “Why should I make just one type of wine?”

Cosentino’s award-winning reputation was built on a variety of wines including cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, pinot noir, merlot, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. In addition, Cosentino is recognized for its production of lesser known varietals like viognier, gewürztraminer, nebbiolo, sangiovese and semillon.

As Cosentino continues to discover new wines, the “micro” approach to winemaking remains consistent. An exceptional talent for identifying fruit sources and determining blends continues to be the driving force behind the M. Cosentino signature.

MIKE DUNNE
Mike Dunne is food editor, wine columnist and restaurant critic for The Sacramento Bee. He’s been writing about wine for three decades and each year judges at competitions ranging from those international in scope to those of a regional nature.

TRACI DUTTON
Traci Dutton is the beverage manager and sommelier for The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, located in Napa Valley, CA. Ms. Dutton’s responsibilities include the selection and purchasing of wines, inventory control, wine list development, menuing, food and wine pairings, and staff training for all components of the CIA Greystone campus, including the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, the Professional Wine Studies Program, and Special Events.

Traci started her tenure with The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in 1998, as beverage manager and sommelier for the college’s Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, where all of her California wine lists and imaginative Flights of Fancy have won her numerous awards, the most recent being presented by the National Restaurant Association for “America’s Best Wine Lists.”

Traci has extensive experience in the beverage industry, including a position as Bar Manager at the three-star Montrachet under the direction of Daniel Johnnes (New York City), Service Manager at The Striped Bass (Philadelphia) and Beverage Captain at 231 Ellsworth (San Francisco area). Her expertise spans a spectrum from French and Italian wines, to the wines of California and the northeastern United States, as well as the art of mixology.

In addition to her work at The Culinary Institute of America, Traci has judged the Dallas Morning News New Wine Competition and the Los Angeles Country Fair Wines of the World Competition, two of the largest wine competitions in the country. She has spoken on the marketing of wine at the University of California at Davis, Sonoma State University, and the Wine Industry Financial Symposium. Her wine and beer writing have appeared in Kitchen & Cook, Wine Country Magazine and the St. Helena Star.

Traci’s special interest is in finding vintners who create “labors of love” that civilize our daily lives.

BOB FOSTER
Bob Foster is the Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition as well as the Temecula Valley Wine Competition. Along with Dan Berger, he was the co-founder of the San Diego National Wine Competition and was its director for the first five years (1982-1987). For almost twenty years he has judged numerous wine competitions including the Riverside International Wine Competition, the West Coast Wine Competition, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, the Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition, the Baja California Wine Competition, the Missouri State Fair, and the Jefferson Cup Competition in Kansas City.

He is the assistant editor of the California Grapevine wine newsletter and a member of its tasting panel. He recently retired, after thirty-three years, as a prosecutor for the California Attorney General’s Office in San Diego. In that capacity, he twice argued and won cases at the Supreme Court of the United States.

DAVID FRIEDENBERG
Highlights of Mr. Friedenberg’s career include:

• California Grapevine Tasting Panel since 1978.
• Judge, Riverside International Wine Competition since 1983.
• Ran San Diego National Wine Competition with Dan Berger and Bob Foster.
• Judge, Long Beach Grand Cru (2004 – 2007).
• Judge, Ensenada Wine Competition (multiple years).

DONALD D. GALLEANO
Born March 26, 1952, Don Galleano is a third generation Southern California winegrower and owner of Galleano Winery, producer of Old Vine Cucamonga Valley Wines. He is past president of the Jurupa Community Services District, Western Riverside County Businessman’s Association and the Jurupa Chamber of Commerce.

Don’s current affiliations are: professional wine judge, international wine competitions; Chairman, National Orange Show; Director, Western Municipal Water District; and Board member, Wine Institute, Chaffey College Foundation. He is a professional member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture; a member of the Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition Steering Committee; and a member of the Monday Morning Group.

JANE GOODNIGHT
Jane Goodnight is an Account Executive for Young's Market Company, a major West Coast Distributor, selling quality wine and spirits to Specialty Market Chains. She has been involved with the Orange County Wine Society and the Orange County Fair Wine Competition since the inception in 1976. An original Regional Director, for Jerry Mead's Wine Investigation for Novices & Oenophiles (WINO) in Long Beach, she has judged the New World International Wine Competition, the Indiana State Fair Wine Competition, the Orange County Fair Home Wine Competition, the Riverside International Wine Competition, the Temecula & San Diego Wine Competition, as well as the Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition for many years. Jane lives in Anaheim Hills with her husband John, and enjoys traveling to distillers, wineries and vineyards in the U.S. and abroad.

UP

WES HAGEN
Wes Hagen has been Vineyard Manager and Winemaker at Clos Pepe Vineyards and Clos Pepe Estate since 1996, after finishing a crush under the tutelage of Bryan Babcock at Babcock Vineyards and Winery in the Santa Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County. Clos Pepe Estate makes a few hundred cases of Pinot Noir a year, and the vineyard sells fruit (for vineyard designated bottling) to world-class producers such as Brewer-Clifton, Siduri, Ojai Vineyard, Copain/Roessler, Ken Brown Wines, Loring Wine Company and others. Wes is also very involved in wine competitions and has participated as a judge for eight years running in the L.A. County Fair, three years in the Long Beach Grand Cru, and served for two years as the Director and architect for the Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition. Wes writes a bi-monthly column on viticulture for WineMakerMagazine and creates content for wine websites. After launching Santa Barbara County’s only regional, commercial wine competition and successfully researching and writing a petition to establish the Santa Rita Hills American Viticultural Area, Wes, was awarded the Central Coast Wine Growers Association “Grower of the Year” award for the 2001-2002 growing seasons. Wes received his viticultural and enological training through the UC Davis Extension, ten years of vineyard labor, as well as from a bunch of crazy Italian-Americans that taught him how to make wine in a Long Beach garage in 1989. Clos Pepe Vineyards has provided grapes for the single vineyard designated wines that have received the highest Wine Spectator scores for the CA Pinot Noir vintages 2001 and 2002, both by individual bottles, and by the average score of different bottles and different producers using our grapes.

JOE HART
Joe Hart, owner and winemaker of Hart Winery in Temecula Valley since 1980. He is a resident of Carlsbad and, on weekends, the mountain community of Idyllwild. He is a professional member of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Southern California regional director of Family Winemakers of California, and past president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association.

He owns a classic Cessna taildragger, drives a recently restored 1960 Alfa Romeo, and is an avid catch-and-release fly fisherman, pursuing, and occasionally catching, the wily trout of California’s eastern Sierra. He has been a wine judge since 1982.

RANDY KEMNER
A Signal Hill native, Randy Kemner began his love affair with wine over 35 years ago. While working as a professional pianist, he took an interest in wine as a hobby in 1970. In 1982 he started working in a retail wine store in Long Beach and began heading down the path that would lead him to being the owner of one of Southern California’s leading wine stores.

From 1985 to 1995, he co-founded and co-owned Pacific Coast Wine Marketing, a distributor for California artisan wines and Kermit Lynch French Imports. With the split from his partner, Randy opened The Wine Country on November 14, 1995—now in its 12th year in business—which he co-owns with his wife Dale Ferguson Kemner.

The Wine Country is the area’s largest and most comprehensive wine store. During its tenure the store has been named a “leading American wine retailer” by Food & Wine magazine, one of “America’s Best Wine Stores” by the Wine and Spirits Reader’s Poll, and listed as one of the “Best Wine Shops of L.A.” by Los Angeles Magazine. An October 2004 article in the Los Angeles Times named The Wine Country’s free monthly newsletter as one of the three best wine shop brochures in California.

ELLEN LANDIS
Ellen, a certified Sommelier, Wine Writer and Consultant, is involved with many aspects throughout the world of wine. As Wine Director and Sommelier at Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, which she co-owns with husband and chef Ken Landis, she coordinates and hosts wine events to help further educate wine aficionados. She has traveled many wine regions throughout North America including California, Canada, New York, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Connecticut, Oregon and Washington, and has traveled several international wine regions as well, including Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Rhone, Tuscany, Spain, Portugal and Australia.

Ellen actively participates in numerous trade events, choosing top notch wines from around the globe for the 3,000 bottle cellar at Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn (which was voted one of the top 15 Inns in North America for Wine Connoisseurs). Her wine seminars focus on wine topics such as “Basic Wine Components,” “Wines from around the World,” “Food and Wine pairings” and “What’s IN for summer wines.” In addition to an MBA, Ellen’s wine education includes UC Davis courses, and the Court of Master Sommelier certification program. She regularly serves as a judge at numerous wine competitions including the California State Fair Wine Competition, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Amador County Fair Wine Competition, the Sonoma Harvest Fair Wine Competition, the West Coast Wine Competition, the Grand Harvest Wine Competition, the Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition, the Wine World Market International Wine Competition, the top 12 ZINS of Lodi Wine Competition, and Affairs of the Vine competitions. She also hosts blind tastings, and participates as a key speaker and panelist at various wine events.

ANN LITTLEFIELD
Ann Littlefield fell in love with wine during college years spent studying in Europe. A longtime international industry veteran and professional wine judge, she specializes in new market development. Pioneering many facets of the international wine business, Ann’s diverse focus includes marketing, buying, selling and teaching in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Ann launched and developed a successful company to market and sell wines of the world to the international airline industry. She went on to create global wine sourcing and corporate wine programs for the leading Internet wine retailer. A resident of Napa Valley, Ann’s current focus is development of direct wine marketing programs for diverse wineries, worldwide.

Ann judges in many prestigious wine competitions, including Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, Riverside International, Dallas Morning News International, San Francisco Chronicle, Long Beach Grand Cru International, New World International, Pacific Rim International, San Diego International, The New York Wine Classic, Sonoma County, Mendocino County and Monterey County.

DOUGLAS P. LUMGAIR
As General Manager and partner at Windsor Oaks Vineyards and Winery, Douglas is responsible for both strategic and operational oversight of the 700+ acre estate and winery located in Sonoma County.

Douglas has always been passionate about wine. When the opportunity to move his business management career into the wine industry arose, he enthusiastically took it. In 1992, he accepted the challenge from the entrepreneur, Mr. Robert Stein of Long Beach, to transform the former Balverne Cellars into a new, ultra-premium estate.

Douglas began by completely redesigning all aspects of the vineyards nestled from the Russian River Valley floor to the steep hills and high terraces of the Chalk Hill growing region. Through detailed analysis of terroir and potential, he led replanting of over 50 distinct vineyard blocks encompassing 12 varietals to date, all with an eye towards sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture.

Additionally, Douglas oversees Windsor Oaks’ boutique winemaking under the tutelage of the many acclaimed winemakers with whom he has long-standing grape growing relationships. He feels awed by nature, and will always be an eternal student of the art, science and magic that transforms terroir, to grape, to wine.

When Douglas is not fine tuning Windsor Oaks, he enjoys restoring and flying his antique airplane, fly-fishing, volunteering with hospice, and spending time with his wife and muse, Julie.

JULIE HAGLER LUMGAIR
Julie Lumgair is both a partner at Windsor Oaks Vineyards and Winery and a senior marketing executive who consults in the wine, spirits and culinary industries. In her eighteen years of brand management roles, she has won numerous national marketing industry awards with her work in both Fortune 100 and private firms. Additionally, she guest lectures for both industry panels and academic groups, and remains active in her family’s fifth generation multi-faceted farming operation.

Wine judging is a natural extension of Julie’s passion for wine, combined with her years of technical experience that covers a broad range of beverage and food judging, numerous consumer and chef-based sensory evaluation studies and global new product development.

Her professional roles have given her a deep understanding of targeted consumers’ palates and preferences, starting with her early career at Procter & Gamble in oral care products, followed by experience in both mainstream and luxury sectors of the food and beverage industries.

When she’s not working for her clients, Julie can be found along with her husband, Douglas, supporting various charities and cultural organizations, often mixed with their favorite activities of hospitality, travel and winemaking. As a resident and grape grower in Sonoma County’s famous Russian River Valley, Julie’s passion for nature and the marriage of great wine and the culinary arts is right at home.

MICHAEL MARTINI
Mike Martini grew up in his father and grandfather’s vineyards, learning first-hand what it takes to make world-class wines. When he wasn’t in school in rural St. Helena, he was working at the winery, or out riding horses. Today, St. Helena has grown up, and Mike rides a motorcycle, but he still gets up every day to make Cabernet Sauvignon that will make his family proud.

A graduate of the world-renowned winemaking program at U.C. Davis, Mike worked alongside his father before taking over the reins as winemaker in 1977. He continues to develop his own strong personal style, creating wines that are balanced, complex, and well-suited to accompany foods.

Mike studied artisan winemaking techniques in Bordeaux and Burgundy before settling in at home. Much of what he learned there went into the micro-winery he recently built a hundred yards from his office. “This is the greatest tool kit a winemaker ever had,” Mike says. “We’re going to have some great wines coming out of what we learn with these small lots.”

The focus in the micro-winery is Cabernet Sauvignon. “Everyone talks about massive Cabernets,” Mike says, “but the great thing about Cabernet is that its structure can show power and also elegance, grace, and finesse.”

FRED NURY, PH.D
Dr. Fred S. Nury of Fresno, California, is Professor Emeritus of Enology, Food Science & Nutrition at CSU-Fresno, where he served as department chairman and later as professor of Enology.

He is the author of 54 publications including the Winemakers Guide and three other text books. Dr. Nury holds six U.S. patents in the food processing field.

Dr. Nury was given an award of life membership (one of only five such awards) by the Wine Institute. In 2001 Dr. Nury received the American Society of Enology and Viticulture award of “Emeritus Life” member.

JEFF SLANKARD
Jeff Slankard is the wine director for Barons Marketplace, a chain of specialty food and wine stores located in San Diego County. He has over 25 years of experience in the wine retail business.

A long-time judge at the Long Beach Grand Cru International Wine Competition, the San Diego International Wine Competition, the Riverside International Wine Competition and the Fiestas de la Vendemia, Mr. Slankard has also been a member of the California Grapevine tasting panel since 1985.

Mr. Slankard is married with two sons and resides in Oceanside, California.

BILL SMART
As Director of Communications at Dry Creek Vineyard, Bill is responsible for the execution and implementation of the winery’s public relations and marketing communication programs.

With 10 years of experience in marketing, public relations and sales, Bill is an integral part of Dry Creek Vineyard. Early in his career, Bill worked for several large advertising agencies specializing in the wine industry. Armed with business savvy and a passion for the wine industry, Bill took a job at Pine Ridge Winery in Napa Valley for a brief stint in their tasting. Not long after joining Pine Ridge, Bill was hired at St. Supery Vineyards and Winery in Rutherford. In his role as Marketing Coordinator, Bill learned the ropes from some of the brightest minds in the wine industry.

In January 2005, Bill joined Dry Creek Vineyard. The combination of his enthusiasm for the wine business and solid background in public relations and marketing make Bill one of the most sought after representatives of this Sonoma County winery.

When he’s not working for Dry Creek Vineyard, Bill can be found on the golf course in the summer or on the ski slopes during the winter. Along with his wife, Danielle, he enjoys cooking meals and watching movies. A resident of Healdsburg, CA, Bill is right at home in the wine country and enjoys all aspects of his life.

CLARK SMITH
Winemaker, Clark Smith. Dropped out of M.I.T. in 1971, and has been in the wine industry ever since. Among the Clark’s claims to fame are the only perfect score ever in the Winetasting Olympics and being fired by Alice Waters. Twice.

After graduating U.C. Davis in 1983, he served as winemaker for the R.H. Phillips Vineyard for its first seven years, taking if from 3,000 cases per year to 250,000. In 1990, he began Vinovation, now the world’s largest winemaking consulting company, with over 1, 200 clients around the world. Clark and his staff at Vinovation named the practices they developed “GrapeCraft” a name adopted by his family’s winemaking venture, GrapeCraft Wines. These practices mainly center around building structure, integrating aroma, and promoting living soils.

Clark spends his time dreaming up ways to improve his client’s wines, rattling the cages of established wine industry icons and institutions, folksinging, and making his own line of eclectic brands including the astounding WineSmith line, the fun & friendly PennyFarthing wines, and the groundbreaking CheapSkate brand. Clark also miraculously finds time to teach courses in Enology at University of California at Davis, Napa Valley College, Fresno State University, Southwest Missouri State University, Florida International University, and l’Academie du Vin in Tokyo.

MIKE STEPANOVICH
Based in Bakersfield, Mike Stepanovich has been writing his wine column, "Life is a Cabernet," since 1985, and judging wines since 1987. As an avid wine collector, Mr. Stepanovich also teaches wine history and wine appreciation classes for California State University, Northridge, and California State University, Bakersfield. "Life is a Cabernet" first appeared in the pages of The Bakersfield Californian, where it ran continuously until 1998. In 1986, "Life is a Cabernet" was syndicated by Columbia Features, and appeared as a regular feature in various newspapers around the nation until 1992, when Columbia Features closed. In 1997 his column began appearing in Bakersfield Magazine, for which Mr. Stepanovich also reviews restaurants. His work has appeared in such national and international publications as International Wine Review, Wine News and Wine Business Monthly. Mr. Stepanovich is recognized for his discerning palate, and has judged at such renowned competitions as the Indianapolis International Wine Competition, Florida International Wine Competition, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, and the Riverside International Wine Competition. He is the past president of the Bakersfield Wine Society, and serves on the committee for CSU Bakersfield's annual scholarship fundraiser, "Party in the Park," a wine tasting that has grown to one of the largest wine events in Central California. He also makes his wine, a blend of syrah, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon, from grapes he grows himself, and from other sources. In his spare time, he is writing a tongue-in-cheek novel about wine, tentatively titled "Zinforado!" which he hopes to publish sometime in the near future.

JAMES TREZISE
James (Jim) Trezise has been president of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation since its creation in 1985 and has been involved with the industry since 1982. The Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization which sponsors research and conducts promotion programs in support of New York grapes, grape juice and wine. The Foundation’s research and promotion programs have received national recognition, as has its close and productive partnership with the State of New York.

Jim is also widely recognized for his leadership in the American wine industry, having received the first-ever “Distinguished Service Award” from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (Eastern Section). He was also named by Wines & Vines magazine as one of the top 50 “movers and shakers” in the United States wine industry and received the coveted Monteith Trophy (Jefferson Cup) in 1995 for major contributions to the American wine industry.

He is actively involved with several national and international organizations focusing on key issues affecting the grape and wine industry worldwide. He serves as Director of Communications of the Federation Internationale des Vins et Spiritueux (International Federation of Wines and Spirits) based in Paris. He also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the WineAmerica, is a co-founder of the American Wine Alliance for Research and Education, and has been active in many other industry organizations. He is a frequent speaker on major issues at conferences throughout the United States, as well as a professional wine judge at several international competitions, and the author of articles which have appeared in the New York Times and other media.

Prior to his appointment as the Foundation’s president, Jim had been involved with the New York grape and wine industry for four years, first as Executive Director of the New York State Wine Grape Growers and then as president of the New York Wine Council representing both growers and vintners. His career includes more than 20 years of communications consulting, public relations, advertising, public policy, and strategic planning. He holds a master’s degree in International Communications from the American University in Washington, DC, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Allegheny College.

A native New Yorker from Rochester, Jim lived in France for three years prior to his involvement with the New York grape and wine industry. He now lives in the Finger Lakes region with his son, Julian, and daughter, Cara.