I arrived with four plastic cups in my backpack.  The setting was the first night of an informal wine class attended during my graduate year at the University of Texas.  Instructions said to bring four glasses, and at this point in my life glasses and cups were interchangeable.  At my table of ten, the other classmates must have been shocked by the fraternity-cometh plastic.  Four people each offered one of their extra glasses, and at that point, my wine journey began.

After leaving the University of Texas in 1995, I worked in a number of accounting and finance positions in Dallas and New York.  While enjoying the challenges of my respective jobs, a sense of passion was missing.  During the fall of 2000, I took a sabbatical and backpacked through South America.  It was on this trip that I decided to work with wine.

Upon returning to New York, I began to take wine classes and to attend industry events—searching for an entry into a full-time wine career.  In February 2003, while working as a business manager for a New York subsidiary of Young & Rubicam, a friend sent me a fortuitous e-mail.  The note said that Chris Goodhart was looking for an Assistant Cellar Master for Balthazar and Pastis.  Duties included stocking the many cellars in the cavernous underground of Balthazar as well as training staff, ordering wine and assisting Chris with other wine department responsibilities.  The position promised twice the hours of my current job and less than half the pay.  My wife said I either jump or forever hold my peace in a life of accounting and finance.  With her support and without pause, the transition was made.

Now, after working in a number of restaurants and wine stores, I will open Appellation in West Chelsea.  The store will focus on small producers and organic/biodynamic/natural wines.  Plastic cups have been discarded for glass.  The long hours, while challenging, pass much more quickly than those from the days of accounting and finance.  Over a glass, if you would like, I can tell you more about the store and the growing passion!  Salud!