My real wine journey started in the early 90s. Sweet wines were my foundation. Then came dry white wines, my comfort zone until I was on a trip my wife had won for us to Paris, France.

Fate and the choice to buck the sweatshirt mandate by her company led to meeting friends with significantly more wine knowledge than us which opened doors to the world of wine we’d not yet explored. Red wine with soufflé at a romantic cafe off the beaten path. A shared Kir in front of the Louvre and a second Kir on a park bench across the traffic circle from the Arc de Triomphe. And meeting Juan, the wine guy that helped us find great places on our later trip back to Paris.

Some time later, I was at dinner with my wife and some friends, one who happened to be in the wine distribution business. I asked him, “What makes wine good?” and his simple answer was, “Do you like it?” I asked him to explain further and he said, “It doesn’t matter if the wine costs $10 or $200. If you like it, it’s a good wine.” So simple and yet so much freedom in that statement.

I’ve had the privilege of working in a winery in Napa Valley for a couple of years and I’ve spent several years working in a wine bar. Most of what I’ve learned about wine can be traced to those two experiences. But sitting around the table with friends, eating incredible meals prepared by my wife Christi with wine paired to what she made, has been my everyday wine education. We’ve tasted $10 table wines, some rare Grand Cru wines from Bordeaux, as well as some cult classic Napa Valley wines. You want wine intimidation, try opening a 30 year old bottle of very expensive Bordeaux and just HOPING it isn’t corked and pairs as promised with the entree!

As I alluded to above, tasting wine is the best way to learn and I’m still on my wine journey. Every time I open a bottle, especially when the wine is something I’ve never tried before, I learn more about wine.

So rather than me just telling you what’s good, let’s explore together and make the very best of our wine journey. I promise, there is something new around every corner.

Oh and since you’re still here, a great group of friends named me the White Lion - it’s obvious why if you look at my photos 😉- and I knew that would eventually be my wine business moniker.

Cheers!