One of the truly unique experiences of the Steamboat Wine Festival is the ability to get up and close with some of the world’s most well-known winemakers, chefs and other celebrities. Check out the 2008 line-up:
Doug Krenik is the European Wine Specialist for Southern Wine and Spirits in Denver, Colorado. Over the past twenty years, Doug has been associated with almost every aspect of the wine business; importing his own wines, working for local distributors in both sales and education, and directing the wine program of the prestigious Flagstaff House Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. He completed the rigorous Master Sommelier Diploma Exam in February 2006 and is one of only 138 Master Sommeliers worldwide. Doug is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) through the Society of Wine Educators.
Doug currently lives in Colorado with his wife Chris and enjoys cooking, writing, cycling and playing guitar. Back to Top
Chris Rowe's career with Southern Wine & Spirits began in 2001 as the Director of Education and recently passed the second level of the Court of Master Sommeliers and now holds the distinction of Advanced Sommelier. His passion for wine and love for all aspects of the business will be a great asset to him in his position.
Chris has worked for the past 4 & 1/2 years at Southern Wine & Spirits of Colorado as both the Director of Education and Vice President of the American division. Chris began his career in Boston when he gradated from Boston University in the Hotel and Restaurant program. After thirteen years in the restaurant business, extensive travel, as well as a dedication to the court of Master Sommelier Program (of which he has reached the advanced level) he dedicated his interests full time to Wine and Spirits education and sales. It was with Southern that Chris became acquainted with the wines of Old Bridge Cellars, its winemakers, and families. He is now charged with the full time sales, promotion and education of that portfolio to restaurateurs, retailers and consumers in Colorado, Missouri and beyond. Back to Top
Jeff McEachern decided he wanted to start experimenting with making his own custom blend after years of collecting. After much research it became clear that their were only two options -- make wine at home or commit to an entire barrel at a custom crush facility.
Since most people can't commit to 25 cases of wine (one barrel), Jeff decided there was a niche in the wine industry and formed The Blending Cellar in Sonoma CA. The Blending Cellar allows consumers to make their own wine, a case at a time.
By allowing consumers to blend wines from well known vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valley, The Blending Cellar provides the option for people to make wines that exactly suits their individual style.
The concept was immediately embraced by both the public as as well as groups wanting to experience wine blending in general. Today, The Blending Cellar offers wine blending sessions, wines by the glass, wine flights, blending kits, and off-site blending seminars for large groups. The Blending Cellar now has locations in both Boulder CO and Sonoma CA. Back to Top
Stephen Kautz is President of IRONSTONE VINEYARDS Stephen runs this 700,000 case per year winery. While the winery has many intriguing facets, Stephen’s main focus is on his product, consistently producing quality, reasonably priced wines. With wine as a main focal point, the details of the winery are still very near and dear to Stephen’s heart. Touring Ironstone with Stephen, it doesn’t take long to realize that Stephen’s personality is reflected in the wholesome, cutting edge, facility. From the culinary center to the historical museum to the lush winery gardens, every detail indicates the stroke of a master.
Seeing more than 75 cities a year representing Ironstone, Stephen maintains a balanced life, which is very important to him, always saving time for rugged, outdoor activities. As an expert white-water river guide, Stephen shares team building and self-confidence with the winery’s staff and national sales team on the rivers of the Sierra’s. Stephen is also an avid fly fisherman, enjoying mountain streams and the rivers he discovers during his journeys. Back to Top
Ann Thrupp is manager of sustainability and organic development at Fetzer Vineyards. She provides outreach, technical assistance, and information, as well as organizes educational events about organic and sustainable farming practices for growers, wineries, and the broader community.
Ann develops partnerships with growers, scientists, government agencies, and other stakeholders involved in sustainability initiatives and facilitates communication and monitoring of Fetzer’s sustainable practices. She also serves as a consultant (and was formerly managing director) for the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to education and promotion of sustainable practices in the wine industry. Back to Top
David Phillips is co-owner and President of Michael-David Winery. Sharing management and leadership responsibilities with his brother Michael, David is primarily responsible for overseeing sales and marketing activities for the winery.
Shortly after graduating from U.C. Davis in 1987, he went on a world-wide tour of wine regions in Europe, South Australia and New Zealand. David then went to work for an international cork company in San Francisco before returning to help his older brother run the family business. He has been instrumental in developing the creative names and innovative packaging that have made Michael-David brands like 7 Deadly Zins, 7 Heavenly Chards, 6th Sense Syrah, Earthquake and Incognito increasingly sought after by retailers and consumers.
David is a primary ambassador for Michael-David wines and travels widely on the winery’s behalf to meet with distributors, retailers and restaurateurs. Married with two young children – his wife, Corene, runs the winery’s lab – David is an avid skier who takes every opportunity to hit the slopes. Back to Top
Ira Harmon started working as a Sommelier at L’Apogee in 1987 receiving his Sommelier certificate in 1989. He became the 23rd Master Sommelier in the United States in 1993 and has won numerous awards for wine lists as well as wine tastings.
Ira started as a salesman in 1991 with a Fine Wine Group in Denver that took him to Vail, CO for the next four years. He then became the “Fine Wine Guy” of Western Distributing, achieving Vice-President of Fine Wine in 1997. He moved to Las Vegas in 2000 to work with Southern Wine and Spirits and now is the Sales Manager for J and P Wholesale a division of Southern Wine and Spirits. He uses his talents to teach the Sommeliers of Las Vegas especially in the realm of blind tasting. Back to Top
Mark Chandler is Executive Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission. Mark’s wine career includes winemaking, marketing management. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the California Agricultural Leadership Program. He is past president of the Society of Wine Educators, a wine judge at numerous venues, and was named “Wine Professional of the Year” by Sunset Magazine in 2005. He also farms 175 acres of vineyard in the Lodi appellation. Back to Top
Steve Felten, owner of Klinker Brick Winery and 5th generation grape grower from the Lodi region in California, continue the tradition of cultivating Old Vine Zinfandel that his ancestors planted in the late 1800’s and Syrah. His 30 plus years in the vineyard has honed his skills in producing fruit of exceptional character and quality and award winning wines.
The Felten Family started to produce their own wine in 2000 after having sold their fruit for years to other well-known, respected wineries. It is the mission of the family to produce the finest wine from some of the oldest vineyards in the world. Back to Top
Colin Wells experience in the beverage industry goes all the way back to his days of drinking warm mother’s milk from his mama’s teat. They always said, “My, he’s a thirsty one!” Ever since, he has been looking for an excuse to “sip a nip,” “grab a wee dram,” or “crack open a frosty pop.” More recently, he has founded an all-natural cocktail mix company, distributed boutique wines and spirits, and lectured extensively on the difference between Irish and Scotch single malts. Today, Colin sells and markets the Castle Brands Spirit Portfolio, an eclectic grouping of fabulous liquors from around the globe. Back to Top
Chef Dave Martin from Bravo's "Top Chef" has a true love and passion for food and people and enjoys bringing the two together. He won millions of viewers' hearts and palates with his intense layering of flavors and vivid descriptions of his dishes, and his approachable yet sophisticated take on old classics - like his signature Black Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese - made him a hit from the streets of NYC to the shores of St. Tropez. From catering celebrity parties and events to hosting a series of sold-out cooking demos around the country, Dave's culinary adventures have only just begun. Check him out at his new restaurant www.craveon42nd.com Back to Top
Tim Holdener
A self proclaimed “Zin Fanatic,” I have
been making wine for about 12 years. In
fact the first wine I every made was a Zinfandel.
Quite coincidentally, so was the last! The “Romance” of wine making hit hard as we crushed
our first grapes under the shade trees of an Italian family who lived down the street from where I grew up. At the press party two weeks later, Italian opera filled the air. Freshly picked vegetables along with gourmet meats and cheeses,
we even sampled the newly-fermented wine. We were in absolute paradise! I was consumed with making this my lifestyle.
As my passion increased, so did my thirst for knowledge. I had to find out what it was like working for a real winery. So I spent the next two years gaining “hands-on” experience at several commercial wineries. I was working 12 hours
a day, 7 days a week and loving it. I had
found my true calling. Plans were made,
forms were filled out, (stacks and stacks
and stacks and stacks … of forms) and
in 2001 we crushed our first grapes as a
bonded winery. Of course, that first wine
was a Zinfandel.
That first year’s wine sold out quickly.
Only 1,000 cases were produced. The response,
at times, was overwhelming. We
won gold medals in every competition we
entered, including International Best of
Class, at the Pacific Rim, a 4-star Gold at
Orange county, and three Best of Regions
at the State Fair. The accolades continued
into the next four vintages with many
Gold Medals and Best of Class awards.
My plan for Macchia is to stay small
and to be a hands-on winemaker. I love
the control I have over the smaller lots we
work with. I love working with some truly
great vineyards, especially the Lodi Old
Vine Zinfandels. We pick only the finest
grapes from California’s Best Spots! We’ll
never forget “It’s All About the Grape.” We hope you come and taste all our wines,
learn their personalities … and dare to
compare! Back to Top
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