Wine 2016
Robin Lail
Robin grew up among the vineyards of Inglenook, founded in 1879 by her great-granduncle, Gustav Niebaum, who pioneered fine winemaking in the Napa Valley. Inglenook was passed down to Robin’s grandfather and then to her father, John Daniel Jr., a true innovator (he was the first to put ‘Napa Valley’ on his labels, and pioneered varietal labeling) and wine industry leader who produced legendary wines. While Robin was not curried to work in the wine business in her youth, she was surrounded by it, and touched by her dad’s passion and focus on tradition and excellence.
Ken Fredrickson
Ken Fredrickson is a member of the elite international Court of Master Sommeliers and he currently operates Tenzing an artisanal wine and spirits importer and wholesaler in Chicago Illinois. Fredrickson reached the ranks of Master Sommelier in 2000 following critical acclaim for his wine programs while working alongside world-renowned chefs Charlie Trotter, at CharlieTrotter’s in Chicago and Las Vegas and Wolfgang Puck, at Spago and Chinois.
Eric Wente
As a Fourth Generation Winegrower for California’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery, Eric Wente oversees his family’s operations which include, in addition to the winery, nearly 3,000 acres of vineyards, an award-winning restaurant, a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, a land and vineyard development company, and a working cattle ranch.
Joy Spence
Distinguished as the first female to hold the Master Blender title in the world, Joy Spence is responsible for blending Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums. Joy blends her considerable organoleptic talent, her chemistry knowledge, and her deep love of the product and Jamaica in every bottle. Joy’s skill and passion for her craft and her wonderful warm and spirited personality, shine through in every bottle!