About AWG

Austin Wine Guy is who you turn to when you need help with anything wine related. Want to host a wine tasting party? I can do that for you, from helping decide the theme, select the wines, and then conduct the tasting for you and your guests, so you can sit back and enjoy. I conduct wine tastings all the time. Do you want to have wine tasting or wine education classes? Austin Wine Guy is the guy to do that for you, I teach wine classes all the time. Maybe you need help to start building a wine collection or to help design a wine cellar in your home. Call your Austin Wine Guy, I do that. Do you have an existing wine collection and need help with organizing, weeding out, adding new wines or maybe an appraisal? Your Austin Wine Guy does that too! Do you need help with your restaurant's wine list? Your Austin Wine Guy is glad to consult on any number of wine related issues, for restauranteurs, collectors, wine enthusiasts or even interested wine novices.

I was born and raised in Beverly Hills, California. While working toward my B.A. in Economics from UCLA, I studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge University in England. While there, I was introduced to the world of wine, and "cut my teeth" on some of the great 1st Growth Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundies of the 1960s and 70s, and continued to explore wine regions in France and Italy. After getting my degree in Economics, I went to Southwestern University School of Law and graduated in the top of my class.

While in legal practice, in Los Angeles, I continued my fascination with and love for fine wine, and spent much time in the then little known Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine regions, building both my palate and collection, throughout the 1980s. I relocated to Austin in late 1992, and started in the wine business full time in 1995, working for Central Market and Sun Harvest. I was asked to design and open the experimental upscale "flagship" Albertson's Village Market's wine department in Westlake, and went on to be the Chain Wine Buyer for Reuben's Wine & Spirits. I took over the venerable Austin wine "institution" The Cellar on Bee Caves Road in January 2002, and under my stewardship, we were named of the "8 Great Main Street Wine Shops" by Bon Appetit Magazine in December 2002. I am currently working with the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB) as one of their "Le Wine Buffs" at enjoybordeaux.com.