Lowell Jooste, LJ Crafted Wine & inventor of "The Wine Steward"’

4th generation wine industry expert and inventor, Lowell Jooste who owns the urban winery, LJ Crafted Wines in San Diego California. He has invented a device (aptly named "The Wine Steward") that allows wine to be dispersed regularly from the barrel in which it is aging without compromising the remaining wine. I have attached Lowell's bio, a photo of the Wine Steward, and our About Statement. They received a 93 score recently on their 2015 Patient Terrier Pinot Noir and rave reviews on their petite verdot. They have been open for one year. 

Mixed metaPours is the latest in a series of career catapults for its founder, Cheryl Rich Heisler.

A lawyer by education, Heisler made her first career switch from big-law to consumer packaged goods marketing when she took a job in brand management at Kraft Foods in 1985.

In 1988, she left corporate America altogether to start Lawternatives, a career consulting firm for other lawyers in transition. Lawternatives still exists to this day, and when Cheryl is not working behind a bar, she continues to counsel members of the legal bar about what else they can do with their law degrees.

In 2011, taking her own career advice, Heisler followed her passion for mixology and attended the American/Professional Bartender Schools, receiving her Mixology License and BASSET Certification. She has been mixing, sipping, and sharing her recipes since that time.

A regular contributor to print/radio/internet media, Ms. Heisler is a frequently requested speaker. To get more information about having Cheryl present to your organization or group, please contact us with the name of your organization, your exact dates/locations and the topic you would like her to address, and she will follow up shortly.

David is the co-founder and CEO of PureWine Inc, formed in 2014. As a lifelong “tinkerer” and inventor, David set out on a 5-year journey to solve a 9,000-year-old problem – unpleasant reactions to wine consumption. Plagued by headaches and nasal congestion himself, David was motivated to find a way to enjoy wine again. His mission to discover a convenient, efficient method of removing sulfite preservatives and histamines from wine was a success. After consuming countless bottles of “lab supplies,” The Wand™ by PureWine was realized. Say goodbye to wine allergies and hello to Pure Wine!

David uses his unique set of skills to bring this first-in-class product to reality. Until 2013, he was a Research and Development Executive with Novartis (formerly Alcon Laboratories) in Ft. Worth, Texas. During his 20 years with Novartis/Alcon, he led the research teams responsible for developing and commercializing a wide range of new pharmaceutical products and medical devices.. Prior to Alcon, he was a research scientist at Allergan Pharmaceuticals in Irvine, California focused on developing novel approaches to treat sight-threatening diseases.

In addition to PureWine, David has co-founded several companies in the areas of medical diagnostics, sports medicine and consumer package goods. He is actively involved in multiple startup incubators in Florida and Texas, and is a frequent lecturer at the University of Florida, Engineering and Business Schools. With his broad range of experience, he brings an enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurism to the students. To date, he has more than 50 patents and has contributed to over 150 scientific publications.

David enjoys restoring classic automobiles, studying all aspects of wine production and exploring natural wilderness areas with his family and friends. He has also been involved in several humanitarian activities in developing countries.

The three of us, Lindsey Moran, Denise Woolery, and Gail Kearns, are collectively known as the Gourmet Girls on Fire and we are the authors of The Gourmet Girls Go Camping Cookbook.

New Theory Magazine is your dose of Millennial culture at its finest. New Theory Magazine provides you with exclusive access into the mind of the mature millennial covering inspirational business, health/fitness, fashion/beauty, celebrity news, music, hot topics & so much more! With nationwide distribution, New Theory Magazine is designed to offer you a view from the inside out. The evolution of millennial multimedia promises more than just a generational guide in entertainment leisure, but a lifestyle full of prosperity.

A fifth-generation Sonoma County native, Christopher Silva is firmly rooted in Sonoma County agriculture. He was raised in a family of Petaluma dairy farmers, and nine years after graduating from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, he retired from practicing law to join St. Francis Winery. At the age of 38, he became President & CEO of St. Francis in 2003. He understands firsthand that a farmer’s footprint and intimate knowledge of the soil, microclimates and terroir of the region are the most important ingredients for healthy vines.

As President & CEO of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Chris has a specific focus: crafting world class Sonoma wine. St. Francis is best known for luscious, elegant, fruit driven Sonoma County Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and “Old Vines” Zinfandel. Widely awarded as a quality leader, St. Francis is committed to being the premier producer of handcrafted Sonoma wines in each of its categories. Additionally, St. Francis was named “#1 Restaurant in America” by OpenTable in 2013 and 2015 in recognition of its farm to table wine and food pairings offered on site to Winery visitors each day.

Under Chris’ leadership, St. Francis has also been recognized for its many green practices. A 457-kilowatt Solar Energy System, installed in 2004, provides up to 40% of the Winery’s energy from the sun. St. Francis has taken aggressive steps in water and creek conservation, recycling, eco-friendly packaging, and created an on-site sustainable vegetable garden to support its culinary programs. St. Francis is Certified Sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

Committed to mentorship and community involvement, Chris served on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sonoma County and is now on the Dean’s National Advisory Board of the UNLV Harrah College of Hotel Administration. In 2011 he was honored by UNLV as the “Food & Beverage Industry Executive of the Year” and was named “2011 Healthy Business Leader” by the Northern California Center for Well Being in recognition of his workforce wellness initiatives at St. Francis. In recent years, North Bay Business Journal has repeatedly named St. Francis Winery & Vineyards one of the "Best Places to Work" in Northern California.

Chris was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for 2011. In 2014 he was elected Chairman of the Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Studies Advisory Board. His son Joseph and daughter Sydney are sixth-generation Sonoma County natives and attend local public school, where Chris served on their School District Foundation Board. He has taught college classes in legal research and legal writing, and lectures nationally regarding wine, law, and business. Chris' life story and approach to running a business have been featured in The New York Times, Luxist, AOL Daily Finance, and Corporate Wellness Magazine.

“Our time at St. Francis will not be measured in years. It will be measured by the contributions each one of us makes—as individuals—to constantly improving the quality of our grapes and our wines. ‘Good enough’ is contrary to our mission.”

Midori and her husband have figured out the success formula to a wonderful marriage and life, having been together for nearly 30 years.

Midori has spent more than a decade studying interpersonal relationships, cognitive and behavioral psychology, and couples therapy. Her programs incorporate breakthrough techniques, which stomps out perceived limitations. This practice helps her clients reach extreme heights.

 She has also made it a priority to study actual couples, dissecting how they communicate and interact. You're guaranteed to receive practical, real life suggestions and tips, that make the modern marriages of today happier and more successful.

Her first book, Secrets to a Kickass Marriage was published in 2015, and since then her advice has propelled her into being the 'Relationship Expert' for the California Women's Conference.

Midori holds a degree in Communications from the University of California, Davis, with a focus on Sociology.

Kristy DeVaney, the person behind cavegrrl.com She is a Paleo and Primal Food, Wine, Travel and Living Travel. She loves to talk about the Paleo Food and Wine. 

Clarissa Nagy, who received a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from California Polytechnic State University, started in the wine industry in 1995. She began her career as a Lab Technician at Edna Valley Vineyards, and moved through the roles of Research Assistant Winemaker at Byron Winery, Assistant Winemaker and Vineyard Supervisor at Longoria Winery, and most recently, she has been making wine for Bonaccorsi Wine Company since 2006. Clarissa is known for her elegant and sophisticated winemaking style, and for her appreciation for fruit that comes from the Santa Maria Valley. She lives in Orcutt with her husband, Jonathan, and their daughter, Gabriella.

She worked my way through the Central Coast over the next ten years. The wineries on that list include: Firestone Vineyard, Curtis Winery, Byron Vineyard and Winery, Longoria Wines, Rancho Arroyo Grande Winery, Bonaccorsi Wine Company and Riverbench Vineyard and Winery. In the course of my career, I have been blessed to work with some amazing people and vineyards in Santa Barbara County. Our region, and specifically Santa Maria Valley has really captured my heart and my palate. She balance my time between family and winemaking.

Dusty Grove's Savannah roots run deep. Born and raised in Vernonburg, GA, Dusty grew up on the water, where crab boils and oyster roasts were a regular routine for his family. After graduating with a degree in biochemistry from UGA, Dusty found his passion for cooking while working for the James Beard award winning chef, Elizabeth Terry of Elizabeth on 37th in Savannah. He went on to work in restaurants throughout Florida and Georgia, eventually overseeing multiple private clubs as a corporate chef in the Atlanta area.

In 2008, Dusty moved his young family back to Savannah to direct various culinary operations for the Bohemian Hotel, The Mansion at Forsyth Park and the much-loved Vic's on the River. From 2011 to 2014, Dusty made a name for himself as Executive Chef at The Landings, one of the largest private clubs in the country. In 2014, Dusty joined the opening team of Pacci.

Dusty is a hands-on, self-taught chef who prides himself on creating dishes that are uncomplicated, clean, seasonal and delicious. He and his wife, Kathy, have three kids-Maddie, Ayla and Hudson. When he's not in the kitchen, he spends as much time as possible with them on the water, boating, sailing and fishing.

Visit me on http://www.paccisavannah.com/

I am AKA The City Doctor as an international expert in quality of life places and how they matter to us living our best lives. As part of my work around the world, I regularly discuss the importance of place, travel, and place experiences along the way (such as in the growing industry of “culinary tourism” where you travel specifically to eat). My first book, “Place Match: The City Doctor’s Guide to Finding Where You Belong” was released late last year. The book is basically a dating and marriage guide to finding your right place match by comparing the journey to find the right partner to the journey to finding the right place. I would love to come on your show to talk as a guest. I am a 2 time TEDx talker and a former radio talk show host myself so I know how to be engaging and interesting to your audience even if I’m discussing the science of place and the role it plays in our lives.

I’m a globally-recognized, award-winning expert in the field of placemaking: quality of life places and why they matter to living our best lives. I have held leadership and advisory roles in some of the most ground-breaking and innovative placemaking projects. I am a two-time TEDx speaker on place and have been featured widely in the press, including USA Today, Wall Street Journal, NPR, LA Times, The Atlantic, and CBS News, to name a few. My newly-released book, “Place Match: The City Doctor’s Guide to Finding Where You Belong” (ISBN 978-0-9966038-3-6) is available through my website: www.city-doctor.com and Amazon. You can find out more about me at www.city-doctor.com and Facebook.com/Dr.Katherine.Loflin. You can also google me to learn more.

Nancy Light is Vice President of Communications for the Wine Institute, a public policy association of 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses dedicated to enhancing the environment for the responsible consumption and enjoyment of wine. With two decades of experience in strategic communications for wine and related businesses, she is responsible for guiding the organization’s media relations, member communications and issues management agenda.

Light manages several Wine Institute programs designed to support the long-term growth and vitality of the California wine industry. “California First” is a new initiative to identify and communicate the positive and distinctive attributes of California wine to consumers, trade, media and public officials. She also managees Wine Institute's partnership with the California Travel and Tourism Commission to promote California wine and food nationwide with a multi-media campaign supported by a $12 million budget.

Specialties: Marketing communications, branding and messaging, crisis communications, issues management, media relations, executive media coaching, strategic partnerships, industry relations.

Will Clark readily admits that his passion in life is California Foothill wines. He retired from investment banking in the early 1990’s, and with wife Jeanne, opened up his shop at 200 Main Street in Downieville. Jeanne runs the antiques and collectibles shop next door.

“We came here to do what we really wanted to do,” said Will. “People don’t expect us to be here. But really, Downieville is the first town north of Nevada City where you can find good food, lodging – and major historical lore about the area.” It all comes together in a mountain setting at the confluence of two rivers, with an enormous amount of Gold Country history. Will boasts a stock of around 50 wines. Here are some of my favorites from the tasting:

2006 Hatcher Cabernet Sauvignon, Sierra Foothills. Will believes this is his current best value in a Cabernet Sauvignon. The Hatcher winery is located in Murphys, Calaveras County, and they source most of their fruit from vineyards near Angels Camp. The fruit for this wine was sourced from the vineyard of Lori Kautz. Winemaker Matthew Hatcher has crafted this wine to have aromas of tropical fruit, volcanic minerality, anise and other exotic spices. Flavor is lush and ripe with flavors of melon, ginger, and spice, ending in a clean finish. Enjoy with spicy Asian foods, BBQ, lamb. 14.6% alcohol. $17.50/bottle at 49 Wines.

Everyone has questions about drinking, but it can seem like every bartender (and bargoer) has different answers. Between the old wives' tales, half-truths, and whiskey-soaked conjectures, it's hard to know what to believe—until now.

Armed with cutting-edge research and a barfly’s thirst for the truth, cocktail instructor Brian D. Hoefling tackles the most burning questions and longest-held myths surrounding that most ancient of human pastimes—with the science to either back them up or knock them down. From the ins and outs of aging to the chemistry of a beer head and the science behind your hangover,Distilled Knowledge provides a complete and comical education that will put an end to any barroom dispute, once and for all.

As a seasoned “clambaker,” sommelier, and culinary school graduate, our Founder and CEO, Mary McAuley, had an “ah-ha” moment when charged with the task of selecting the wine for a (rather raucous) clambake she threw with her friends back in August 2011 in her seaside hometown of Mantoloking, NJ.  Mary set out to help consumers who are lost when it comes to selecting a good wine to pair with certain foods, especially the coastal cuisine she grew up eating with her family and friends on the beach. She simultaneously realized the void for trustworthy brands on the American wine market and felt compelled to produce an artisanal and superiorly-crafted wine under a recognizable label to stand out from other big names sourcing from the untrustworthy bulk market or practicing unsavory production techniques.  Ripe Life’s first wine, the Clambake Chardonnay, hit the shelves in July 2013 and was an instant success. Although Marys heart belongs to the sea, creating the Clambake Chardonnay has made her realize the plethora American occasions where people are 1. always drinking wine and 2. always eating the same things and plans to expand the collection to other lines in the near future with ideas like an aprés ski wine and a tailgating wine.  Before graduating from The Institute of Culinary Education and, later on, The French Culinary Institute, she attended Georgetown University where she was a member of the Division I National Champion sailing team for four years and still makes it out on the water any chance she gets. Her death row meal would be a quarter pound of crémeux de bourgogne cheese with Rustic Bakery crackers, black cherry jam; paired with a 2001 Barbaresco.

Louise Miller is a beekeeper, educator, and founder of Solstice Honey. She is a member of the honey tasting panel gathered by the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center, a group tasked with developing the Honey Flavor and Aroma Wheel. Also a member of the Xerces Society, she is an avid bee friendly gardener. Miller's passion for varietal and regional wildflower honeys and for bee health inspired her to found Solstice Honey, offering products and educational outreach that improve the quality of life of customers, of beekeepers, and of bees.

Naked Wines have a simple aim to connect winemakers and drinkers directly. The creation of this direct relationship helps users crowdfund their bottles directly from the vineyard via a monthly subscription. But, this is much more than just another wine club. 

The service proves that there is more to wine than a pretty label on a bottle inside a supermarket. Each bottle comes with warm stories of families producing wine where angels (Naked Wine members) communicate directly with the winemakers.

BRIDGE COFFEE CO. is a small-batch, nano, craft coffee roaster. We source premium, specialty-grade coffee from around the world. These carefully selected green coffees are profiled, cupped, and roasted in small batches. 

With nearly 15 years of roasting experience, the aid of modern technology and utilizing the finest coffee roasting equipment made, you can be sure your coffee is roasted to perfection and consistently delicious.

Small batch roasting is an artisan craft. It is our joy and honor to provide you with a wonderful cup of coffee.

Twenty years as the Publisher of Flying Adventures magazine (a Lifestyle Travel Magazine for people who own and travel on private airplanes, and are Food & Wine Connoisseurs), which has lead him to the most amazing wine experiences.

"I have been fortunate to taste some of the best wines ever produced, enjoyed dinners and detailed discussions with very famous winemakers and vintners, in their homes, wineries, special wine events, auctions, and I have  made wine with them, made my own wine, and have participated in blind tastings, food & wine pairings with celebrity chefs. I am traveling the world Exploring Wine Regions, finding interesting and unusual wine experiences, an insiders concierge to share special and hard to find gems and travel experiences with you."

So what does he really know?  Well he loves wine, and loves travel!  And knows enough to know where to look, and what to look for! He’s traveling the world Exploring Wine Regions, finding interesting and unusual wine experiences, he’s an insiders concierge to share special and hard to find gems and travel experiences with you.

Freemark Abbey sources its grapes from select Napa Valley vineyards we’ve known for decades. Intimately familiar with the nuance, power and abundance of each specific site, our partnership with local vineyards is at the heart of all our wines (click each area to learn more).

After working in New York and India, and living in Shanghai for 5 years, Stefano, consultant, photographer and author, fulfils his dream to ride back home, in Italy, completely alone, by motorcycle. A trip of almost five months and 25,000 km through China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece and Italy. Not just an adventure, but a journey through five of the most beautiful civilizations ever existed and through 4 of the main religious heritages of the world. All of this during a very sensitive historical time in the Central Asian region, a few months after the attack to the Twin Towers in NY and before the war in Iraq. In his book the author will make the readers live his experience, his feelings and adventures with different people and cultures. During this trip the author was challenged by extreme weather conditions, communication difficulties, sense of isolation, experienced the meaning of human fragility, and lost almost 17 kilos of body weight. Stefano explains: the more my journey was evolving, the more I realized how it was becoming a testimony of a different perspective of the current events and of aspects often shadowed by the news of the ongoing wars. This journey also allowed me to witness the struggle of these cultures in entering the third millennium at the same pace as the more developed countries. In the book, related to the texts there are a series of pictures/drawings showing the reader some aspects of what is told in the story.

I’m Sara Roccisano. I am a passionate, world-traveling, scuba-diving, former Wall Street New Yorker who is now running the Embolden Adventures traveling website. In 2009 after the financial crisis, I became scuba certified. I went on one dive trip and fell in love with the underwater. Since then, I have been embarking on adventures around the world from the depths of the ocean to the heights of the mountains and beyond. So far I have visited 35 countries and 30 US States and territories, most of which I visited after leaving my desk job and going on dive trips. I have scuba dived with great white sharks, whale sharks, schools of hammerhead sharks, dolphins, manta rays, sea lions, and other exotic sea creatures. One of my most favorite, incredible ocean experiences has been snorkeling up close with the whale sharks in Caribbean Sea off the coast of Isla Mujeres, near Cancun, Mexico. The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean, reaching average lengths of 40 feet and weighing more than 40 tons. They are filter feeders, siphoning krill, fish eggs, and plankton from the ocean water like baleen whales do. Whale sharks are gentile giants and are completely harmless to humans since they have no teeth! I was motivated to swim with the whale sharks, and this Mexican trip to see the whale sharks was a dream of a lifetime!

Iván & Reneé met, and four months later were engaged. Reneé is a television host, actress and Indie award winning author. Ivan is a musician and frontman for the band, Letter's to Alan. Additionally, he runs his own international, freight shipping business. They love each other and love to travel. They hope to show people that you:

- Don't have to wait until retirement to travel the world and explore!

-Don't have to be RICH to travel!

-Don't have to quit your job!

-You can live the life of your dreams!