I worked in the radio industry (public radio on-air host) after graduating from Hobart College (Geneva, NY) in 1996. After a couple years of making almost no money, I took a sales job with company specializing payroll services and business forms. My parents had always had a wine cellar and I often imaged how great it would be to work in the wine business. I burned out the forms/payroll industry after a couple years and I began to actively pursue a sales job with wine wholesaler, but this proved difficult since I had no contacts in the industry. Eventually, I landed a sales position with a small importer/distributor based in NY that specialized in wines from Portugal called Tri-Vin Imports. After spending nearly three years with Tri-Vin I moved on to Bowler Wine in April of 2004 (on the same day Evan started). I cover the majority of NJ.

I have experienced many highly entertaining moments at Bolwer Wine, but the most memorable comes from the first company trip to France in the summer of 2005. After flying all night and then traveling by train/van for most of the next day, we arrived at our first appointment late in the afternoon. Domaine Charvin is one the most highly regarded producers in Peter Weygandt’s portfolio and we greatly anticipated our tour/dinner at the estate. After trekking through several vineyards and tasting the current vintage, our entire group (Peter included) settled down for picturesque dinner on a deck overlooking the vineyards. Laurent Charvin’s lovely wife had prepared a wonderful meal and we enjoyed several vintages of the estates acclaimed Cotes du Rhone and Chateanuef du Pape. Towards the end of the perfect evening I felt obliged to compliment Mrs. Charvin, who was seated next me, on the wonderful meal. Mrs. Charvin could not understand any English and I did not speak any French, but I was confident that I had picked up a few words on the flight. Unfortunately, my attempt to say “I loved your food” did not translate well. Across the table, Laurent jumped to his feet and demanded to know why I said that I loved his wife. Shocked, I tried to explain that I did speak French and in an attempt to regain favor I declared “I love your wife, I love your wine and I love your country!” Surprising, Bowler Wine still sells the wines of Domaine Charvin.

My favorite wine is F.X. Pichler, Smaragd, Riesling, Kellerberg, from any vintage.

I would also like to add that my favorite co-worker is David Bowler.