Lindsay Pomeroy: The Wine Smarties

San Diego Magazine's 2009 finalist for 'Women Who Move the City,' Lindsay Pomeroy, is creator and owner of The Wine Smarties, a San Diego-based wine events, education, and consulting company.

Full of pizazz and endless new ideas, she adds sparkle to the world of wine!

Her background is perfectly paired to her mission of helping people get "wine smarter." She has been teaching to the public since 2001, when she started her career as an ESL teacher. She went on to teach in Italy, Boston and finally San Diego. In 2004, she helped manage the busiest and most successful wine bar in San Diego, in 2005 obtained her Specialist of Wine certification with The Society of Wine Educators, and in 2006 The Wine Smarties was born!

Most recently, Lindsay was the wine director at Dussini Mediterranean Bistro downtown, Dudley's Wine & Gifts in Temecula, and The House of Congress in Old Town. She has taught her unique wine classes since 2006 at different venues throughout San Diego.

She is now San Diego’s first and only provider for WSET Certification (Wine Spirits Education Trust). www.wset.co.uk. The WSET has grown into the leading and most recognized educational program in the alcohol beverage industry worldwide. Currently, the program is available in over 47 countries in 13 languages and teaches an astonishing 21,000 students every year. The WSET is the feeder program to obtain the esteemed Master of Wine (MW) credential. If you are looking to get into the wine business or want to take your career to the next level, Lindsay can help you reach your goals!

Lindsay specializes in taking private wine parties, wine events, industry trainings, consulting work, and group classes and certifications to the next level with her passionate and inventive approach.

More info:

415 Laurel Street, #216, San Diego, CA 92101

• lindsay@winesmarties.com
• www.winesmarties.com
• 619-955-8884

John Alonge - The Wine Hereitc

2009 San Diego Magazine "Best Wine Coach" Author of "The Wine Heretic's Bible - Plain English Advice for the Casual Wino" Group presentations on wine and culinary topics, team building events, corporate presentations, keynote speaker, private classes, in home wine and culinary classes and events.

More info:

2707 Lake Pointe Drive
Suite 103
Spring Valley, CA 91977

• john@wineheretic.com
• www.wineheretic.com
• 619-607-0575

The Cork Head

Mark H. Stuart is a Certified Wine Professional through The Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley where he did the bulk of his studies. Additionally, he is a Certified Specialist of Wine from The Society of Wine Educators. Currently, he serves as the wine columnist for The San Diego Suburban Newspapers and as a competition judge at The California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition and The Green Wine Competition. Specializing in speaking and education, he has performed functions for such names as Citibank, Alliance Bernstein, The American Institute of Wine and Food, and Capella Telluride, among other private and commercial clients. As a wine speaker/educator, Mark's goals are quite simple. Most importantly, he wants everyone to have fun in his classes. Second, his students should learn a little something about wine. Finally, he hopes to encourage them to enjoy wine more often and to its fullest extent. These goals are accomplished by performing light hearted, interactive classes without pretense. If you have a fundraiser, social gathering, holiday party, or corporate or other event, please contact Mark at his website for a personal consultation and discussion about how he may be of benefit.

More info:

PO Box 99780 San Diego, CA 92169

• www.thecorkhead.com
• 858-454-8519

Charrie Foglio - International Sommelier Guild

Instructor with the International Sommelier Guild at the San Diego Culinary Institute.

More info:

15519 Meadow Oaks Lane
El Cajon, Ca 92021

• cfoglio@internationalsommelier.com
• www.internationalsommelier.com
• 619-244-4224

Greg Martellotto

Greg Martellotto is a bon vivant who brings a wealth of international experience to the world of wine. After eating and drinking his way through more than 50 countries, Greg developed Martellotto Wines, a wine distribution company based in San Diego. In addition, Greg operates Baja Vino Tours, a day tour company that introduces tourists and oenophiles to the Mexican wine country. When Greg is not sharing his knowledge and passion for wine through educational events, he works as an assistant winemaker in Mexico and Santa Barbara developing his own boutique labels. He is available for corporate functions, private tastings, and retail wine consulting.

More info:

2006 Second Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101

• wineworld@gmail.com
• Bajavinotours.com
• 619-227-8579

CHATEAU DU MONDE

ONSITE EDUCATION SCHOOL FOR THE PUBLIC AND RETAILERS (WAIT STAFF TRAINING FOR RESTAURANTS AND WINE STORES). WE ALSO DO WINE CONSULTING FOR RESTAURANTS AND INDIVIDUALS. WINE LIST FOR RESTAURANTS. NEED HELP WITH HOSTING A HOME, BUSINESS, WORKGROUPS OR SOCIAL GROUP? CONTACT US.

More info:

2730 JEFFERSON ST. SUIT 22 CARLSBAD,CA. 92008

• wineishealthy@gmail.com
• 858-7799787

The Princess Grape

Antonia is an engaging speaker, and a wine educator holding the highest certificate with WSET London. She has a culinary diploma from Italy and has been involved in the food and wine business for 20 years. Having owned restaurants, managed wine distributorships, sales and marketing in the wine world, she has a verve for teaching and sharing her stories from wine regions all around the world. She also has written wine articles for hospitality magazines around the world. She brings entertainment with her education events.

More info:

333 Coast Blvd Ste 13
La Jolla California 92037

• antoniaquast@sbcglobal.net
• www.theprincessgrape.com
• 760-889-7424

North County Wine Company

James Allyn and his CIA & WSETcertified staff can educate you in every wine from every area of the world. Daily wine tasting events make it possible from over 55,000 different lables. Come enjoy wine and learn, every day.

More info:

1099 San marcos Blvd. San MArcos, Ca 92078

• james@NorthCountyWineCompany.com
• www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com
• 760-744-2119

Dagan Koffler

Informed by international wine travels and fine dining establishments, Dagan Koffler is the quintessential wine professional. Koffler worked as sommelier at Alto, Del Posto, and Otto restaurants, which boast extensive and dynamic wine lists. Prior to individually selecting the perfect wine for guests at these renowned New York City restaurants, Dagan was involved in many facets of the wine industry. While studying wine at Sonoma State University, he spent seven months in Italy absorbing intricate cuisine, rich culture, and diverse wine. Upon return he became Wine Educator for Sebastiani Winery. Following his pursuit for knowledge, Koffler relocated to Franciscan Estates in the heart of Napa Valley where he worked with distinguished wineries Ravenswood, Quintessa, Simi, Estancia, and Veramonte. In 2003 Koffler traveled to South America to further enrich his understanding. He visited the regions of Tarija, Bolivia, Casablanca, Chile, and Mendoza, Argentina. A stopover in Chile presented him with the opportunity to work as Wine Educator for a cross cultural winery, Veramonte. Through extensive travel and wine-specific exploration, he has gained experience and knowledge of the world’s great wines and their regions. With the desire to share his passion for wine, Koffler has launched Epiphany wine tasting.

More info:

314 South Nardo Ave
Solana Beach, Ca 92075

• epiphanynyc@gmail.com
• www.epiphanynyc.com
• 619 813 2982

SARA A. HENRY - THE ART OF WINE

Exciting and fun wine tasting classes taught in any location of your choice! Great for both personal or business events! Sara has over 5 years of wine education experience. Most recently she was one of the managers at Domaine Carneros winery in Napa Valley and she was responsible for the staff''s wine education. She has also received her Certified Specialist of Wine credentials from The Society of Wine Educators (97% score on her first sitting). Additionally, Sara owned and ran her own wine store ("The Art of Wine") in Park City, Utah and she taught public nightly wine classes in her store and also private classes (including corporate wine tastings during the Sundance Film Festival) that featured both national and international wine regions and varietals. Sara's approach to wine education is extremely user friendly and never intimidating. Choose from any number of great themes such as: Best Wines for Your BBQ, The "Sideways Effect", Wine 101, Old World vs. New World, and much much more. You choose the theme and your budget and I will ensure that your guests not only learn, but have an unforgetable night of laughs while they enjoy some amazing wines. Don't forget that not only is a wine tasting class a great way to connect with friends and family but it is also a great for business purposes to thank your best customers or clients or award your employees! Please contact Sara to set up your memorable wine tasting experience!

More info:

500 West Harbor Dr., #617
San Diego, CA 92101

• theartofwine@bigplanet.com
• (619) 546-7666

Douglas Wiens, California Wine School

Thirsty for wine knowledge? We teach everything about wine from the soil to the gass... classes offered in wine tasting, explorations of wine varietals, wine cellaring, wine serving, wine grape growing, winemaking, and food pairing. The mission of California Wine School is to teach you everything about wine, not to sell it to you. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned wine lover, come to our classes to taste, discuss, and learn wine in a professional yet fun classroom environment. TEMECULA ~ SAN DIEGO ~ ORANGE COUNTY ~ PALM SPRINGS

More info:

35055 Via Del Ponte
Temecula, CA 92592

• doug@CaliforniaWineSchool.com
• www.CaliforniaWineSchool.com
• 951-623-9708

Antonia Quast

Antonia is a certified wine educator holding the highest diploma with Wine & Spirit Educators Trust in London,England. WSET is the only international accrediting body in the world and she is currently on the road with achieving the revered Master of Wine Degree. Antonia teaches: Informal in home wine events/parties, education classes for the public and does education facilitation for the wine industry for distributor teams and on premise staff. Her style is engaging, always colourful, entertaining as well as educational. Her experience and passion in wine has travelled the globe and the industry! Sales , sommelier, brand director, marketing manager all for some of the most prestigious wineries in France, Italy, Chile, Portugal, New Zealand and more. Contact her for your next corporate or home event. Or checkout the many public classes she teaches.

More info:

• Antonia@AntoniaQuast.com
• www.AntoniaQuast.com
• 760-889-7424

Jim Barrasso

Chef/Owner of Firefly Grill and Winebar currently teaches cooking and wine pairing classes at several local kitchen shops. Specializes in de-mystifying cooking techniques and explaining how and why food and wine goes together well.

More info:

252 N El Camino Real Ste. B
Encinitas CA 92024

• jim@fireflygrillandwinebar.com
• fireflygrillandwinebar.com
• 760-635-1066

Truly Fine Wine, Inc. (German Imports)

Truly Fine Wine is a direct importer of limited production German Rieslings, Pinot Noir, rare dessert wines and more. We love sharing our passion for the amazing and often misunderstood wines of Germany, which offer some of the most food friendly options on the planet. Contact us for your next event or to host a private event! We love to share our passion for nouvea German wines!

More info:

4060 Morena Blvd, Ste K
San Diego, CA 92117

• info@trulyfinewine.com
• www.trulyfinewine.com
• (858) 270-9463