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| Jennifer Johnson, C.S.W.
| | Jennifer Johnson’s goal is simple: Create enthusiasm and awareness for wine in a fun, unpretentious way. A Level II Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Specialist of Wine from
the Society of Wine Educators, Ms. Johnson discovered her passion for wine while directing food & beverage operations at the Mobil Five
Star and AAA Five Diamond properties Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel and Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly Hills Hotel.
In 2003, Ms. Johnson joined LearnAboutWine, quickly re-directing a small seminar-based business into a prolific source for trade and consumer wine education events in Southern California. Ms. Johnson collaborated with more than 50 wine industry associations, including
Santa Barbara Vintners and Growers Association, New Zealand Wine Commission and the Bordeaux Wine Bureau. Additionally, she worked with Fox Searchlight Films and Think Film Company to successfully produce opening nights and wine receptions for the films Sideways and Mondovino respectively, in Los Angeles.
Currently the marketing director for an award-winning Missouri winery, Ms. Johnson also works as an independent consultant and wine educator in St. Louis. She has appeared on television & radio, including St. Louis’ Fox 2 “Midday News,” Channel 5’s “Show Me St. Louis,” KMOX’s “The Science of Food,” WGNU AM 920’s “On the Table,” and the west coast CRN Networks’ “What’s Cooking.” Ms. Johnson actively serves for the Society of Wine Educators’ Southwest Regional Membership Committee, assisting in increasing Society awareness in Missouri.
More Info:
(314) 277-7390
www.stlouiswineclinic.com |
| Jeff Birkemeier, C.W.E.
| | Jeff Birkemeier realized the joys of wine while employed at Cafe Napoli and has zealously pursued knowledge of the subject ever since. Mr. Birkemeier is a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators. In 2006, Mr. Birkemeier joined The Wine Merchant, Ltd. and currently serves as the company’s Director of Education. In this role, he helps maintain the Wine Merchant staff as the most informed in St. Louis and teaches beginner and intermediate level classes for the public. He participated in the Chaine de Rotisseurs Young Sommelier Competition in 2007 and 2008, reaching the Regional Finals both years. He is currently preparing for the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier Exam.
More Info:
314-863-6282
www.winemerchantltd.com/html/clayton.html |
| Bottles Inc. - St. Louis Wine Clinic
| | Few people are as familiar with the intricacies of food and beverage service as Chris Hoel.
A seasoned professional, Mr. Hoel has gained valuable experience over the last 16 years. In the second half of his career, Chris Hoel has shared his passion and extensive knowledge of every major wine producing region in the world as an associate in some of the finest establishments in St. Louis, including Bellerive Country Club, Faust’s at the Adam’s Mark, the Starlight Roof at the Chase, Truffles Restaurant and Monarch Restaurant and Wine Bar where he just was awarded “Best Award of Excellence” for the wine list by Wine Spectator Magazine.
Chris is also co-founder of the St. Louis Wine Clinic held here at various restaurants around St. Louis in which he teaches an intensive 8 session clinic on all aspects of wine and covering every major wine region in the world. Most Recently Mr. Hoel teamed up with longtime friend and fellow Sommelier, Darin Link, to launch a wine & cellar consultant company called Bottles Inc.
Mr. Hoel has proven his mettle in the Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Sommelier Competitions, achieving top honors in the Midwest three years in a row and twice advancing to the national finals.
In April 2005, became one of only two Advanced Sommeliers in Missouri. He is currently pursuing Master Sommelier Diploma with The Court of Master Sommeliers. Mr. Hoel has also achieved his Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators. Mr. Hoel has also been featured in articles in St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis Home Magazine, Sauce Magazine as well as a feature article in the RFT. Most recently Chris won “Best Sommelier 2007” in the Riverfront Times “Best of St. Louis 2007”. You can also catch Chris on his radio segment “Grape Juice” Monday mornings on 550 am KRTS at 7:40 am.
More Info:
311 Clay Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
314-369-8255
www.bottlesinc.com |
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St Louis Wine & Food Educators 
