What I believe is this: Wine is for everyone. And everyone who wants to learn and explore all the pleasures wine can deliver deserve every opportunity to do so.

I got my start in the hospitality industry as a busser at the age of 16 in my hometown of North Canton, Ohio. By the time I was 21 I had performed every front-of-house role that exists in a restaurant. After a stint in the white-collar world, I came back to hospitality by working as a bartender at the historic California Clipper Lounge in Chicago in 2012.

For years I tended bar in neighborhood spots, French brasseries and dramatic cocktail bars. In 2016 I took on the project of opening a cocktail lounge/wine bar inside The Arts Club of Chicago. I was responsible for curating a classic cocktail and wine experience that fit alongside the club’s incredible contemporary art collection.

In 2018 I left Chicago, my home for 13 years, to be a part of the opening team at Au Cheval NYC, and soon slipped over to the sister restaurant 4 Charles Prime Rib as the Sommelier and Head Bartender.

Now we’re all caught up! I hope the next few years bring a return to traveling to the world’s best vineyard sites, joining old friends in far places to open some of our favorite bottles together…