Born into a beverage family, my Grandfather began his own soda factory in the year 1914. Leewood Soda Company was located in Tucahoe New York, and was a prosperous, growing business that enabled me to get a first hand into beverages. As a young boy, I grew accustomed to being around the bottling machines as well as the blending of the sodas. In the course of my college years, my uncle opened up a wine/liquor store and recruited my services. Having no knowledge of wines or liquors,  I was eager to expand my education in order to fulfill my ambitions. At this time, the year being 1974, the only program offered in the field of beverage education was Grossman’s Beverage Program, lead by Ms. Harriet Lembeck. I was informed of the overseas program in The German Wine Academy, situated in Kloster Eberbach, located in the  Rheingau region in Germany. In the course of my studies, I strived to expand my knowledge by  studying all aspects of the wine and liquor business’. My studies consisted of growing grapes, making wine, importing, distributing, and marketing. In the year 1975 I took on the occupation of managing a small warehouse for Paramount Brands, while continuing to work my uncles store at nights and on weekends. Upon returning from Germany in the summer of 1978, I received a fellowship to attend Cornell University’s Center for Professional Development. The fellowship at Cornell was funded by Banfi Imports. After receiving my graduating certificate from the program, I decided to take my first sales position with the Mariani Family. Subsequently, Knickerbocker Liquor Distributor created a Fine Wines Only division and recruited talent from various distributors. I was chosen to represent the portfolio in Westchester County as well as in the Bronx. I was then the New York Representative for a strong Italian wine supplier, Mediterranean imports, under Philip De Belardino. In 1981 I progressed to the next level and started The Wine School Ltd. This Westchester based wine school was geared toward the public as well as the wine enthusiast. Located at the Wayside Cottage in Scarsdale New York, the program sessions proved to be highly successful. During this time, I was working part time at Zachy’s Wine and Liquor as their German Wine Department manager. Reviewing the success of my wine school and it’s numerous attendees, my passion for teaching wine education abounded.

After working for Glenn Ellen Winery as their East Coast Regional Manager for the M.G Valejo brand, I took on another Sonoma winery known as the Sebastiani Winery. Working the Metro Area, I continued with wholesale and import companies. In 1994, I became manager in a new division of Lauber Imports called Summit Estates. Feeling the need to become more involved with the wine world brands once again, I took on a position at the Wine Connection in Pound Ridge NY. All during this time teaching wine education. In 2002 I was appointed the wine director position at the Sommelier Society of America; the Westchester and Long island chapters. Shortly after, I was appointed the Wine director position at Castle on the Hudson, Tarrytown NY. In Fall of 2007 I was selected to be the wine instructor for the Viking Cooking Schools in Garden City, New York. Currently, I am starting a new wine academy called the Sommelier Wine Academy; a registered Wine School with the New York State Department of Education. My work continues...