Short bio
Born in Houston, Texas, the second of three children, San Antonio has been home for most of my life, where I still reside with my wife, two kids, two doodles, and two tortoises.
I have spent my entire professional career in the wine industry, the majority of it in sales management for import organizations. I have had the great fortune to connect with a wide diversity of people and their places, learning and appreciating their cultures, their histories, and ultimately being trusted to represent them. All of it woven together and made possible through the convivial act of sharing a bottle of wine and a meal. It is a privilege that continues to inspire.
Beyond my obvious affinity for great wine, food, and anything exceptionally tasty, I love music, immersing myself in nature, and sports — especially baseball.
Where have you lived?
Houston, Texas; Cape Coral, Florida; San Antonio, Texas
First Car
1982 Mercedes 240 Diesel. It was a tank, and it drove like one!
How did you start in the wine business?
My passion was ignited early, in my teens, while working in the private club and restaurant industry. Later, while studying Liberal Arts and Hospitality Management, I was moonlighting between a wine bar, a fine dining restaurant, and a wine retailer. It was David Verheyen — still a dear friend and one of the finest people in this business — who saw something worth betting on and handed me that first sales role. It happened to be the year 2000 Bordeaux futures were shipping. I have never looked back.
Best concerts of your life
#1 experience must be Wilco, April 23rd, 2015, in Houston, Texas. While visiting Houston with my wife and our best friends to attend the concert, on my BIRTHDAY, our daughter decided it was the day she would make her world debut. With a healthy baby girl and her best friends by her side, my wife insisted the guys attend the show!
While that can’t be topped, other uniquely great shows include Pearl Jam, 10th anniversary show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas 2000, Leon Russell at a dive bar circa the late ’90s, Radiohead at Coachella 2004, Ornette Coleman in Austin 2010, and Bruce Springsteen in Cape Town, South Africa in 2014.
After tasting wine all day, I want to drink a…
Crispy beer or a pot of tea.
After staring at a computer all day, I want to drink a….
Champagne or a Mezcal, Topo, Salt n’ Lime.
What puts the biggest smiles on your face?
My children and wife laughing, hugs from my dogs, feeding my family a great meal, a campfire in the middle of nowhere.
Fantastic wine experience
Too many to list and hopefully many more still to have, but these stand out:
• A 2006 dinner with a few friends, some of whom have since passed, including special guest Clive Coates MW. An incredible and indulgent lineup included DRC Richebourg ’93 & ’61 and several Domaine Leroy GCs. Truly an exceptional experience early in my career, made possible by the generosity of a few, and now even more special in memory of our fallen friends. Thank you, Harold Wood!
• Many amazing old bottles of Château Musar Blanc enjoyed with Marc Hochar and the late Serge Hochar.
• The Nebuchadnezzar of Pol Roger at my wedding. The magic of large bottles is underrated!
• The many wines shared with Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie in the Swartland, huddled around a braai.
Last bottle of wine of wine you ever want to drink
Not sure I am ready to pick this. Whichever one will keep me alive or floats me to the next life smiling.
While on the wine route I love to…
Eat and taste everything! Dream about real estate, hunt for art and antiques.
Favorite vacation spot
Haven’t found it yet, but I love being snowed in at a mountain home with friends and family!
Favorite cheese
This is so hard; you really need a favorite for every category! Most recently I have been blown away by 18–24 month Comté from great producers while in the Jura. The most interesting recent cheese experience was having Casu Marzu in Sardinia — my only live-maggot cheese experience to date.
Great food & wine pairing
Mosel Riesling & Texas BBQ
If you won the lottery…
Travel somewhere very far-flung with my wife, kids, and someone very smart, and not return until we’ve got a plan. Ultimately, set things up to pay off the debts of our closest family and friends, secure the family’s future, be of service to others, and eat, drink, and play much better and harder than I do now.