About Sandrew

I started my professional wine tasting career in 1977, just one year after the famous “Judgment of Paris” Tasting. It was this single event that opened up the eyes of Wine Aficionados of the world that some place other than France could indeed make World Class wines. I am very fortunate and thankful to have been involved in the early years of California’s “Golden Age”. 

As a Restaurateur and Wine Merchant, while matriculating to earn a degree in “Hotel and Restaurant Management”, I had the great fortune as the buyer to be introduced to Burgundy’s Premier Cru and the first growths of Bordeaux, as well as the “Upstarts” from the New World and all around the globe.

In 1982, I began to teach about wine – the process, varietal specifics, and ah, yes, “Pairing Food and Wine”!  Such an amusing novelty at this point in American Culture, where the prevailing beverage of pleasure were Spirits. Courted by Brokers, Liquor Distributors and the wineries themselves, I was able to transfer my knowledge and fascination of unlimited possibilities into the Marketing (read Story Telling) of new properties and soon to be Rock Star Wine Makers. 

These “properties” were unknown entities, in the centuries old, eccentric club of the wine world, and they faced the arduous task of introduction. They were named Caymus, Shafer, Opus, Dominus, Rubicon, Matanzas Creek, Forman, Raymond, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Mazzacco, Far Niente, Robert Sinskey, Swan, Kendall Jackson, Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Mumm, Marimar Torres and the Hess Collection. Most recently, I helped orchestrate the launch of Sullivan Birney and Nicholson Ranch wineries. 

I have been a wine writer, California Wine Historian, and President of the Grape Nuts Blind Tasting Wine Club since 1985.

Over the years, as educator, featured speaker at “Winemaker Dinners” and Sommelier, I have taught and trained thousands of passionate wine knowledge seekers, and it would be my pleasure to help you! Please feel free to ask me your wine-related questions. I look forward to hearing from you!!