Tom DiNardo - The Wine Zealot

Tom DiNardo has worked in the wine industry in both California and Washington. With a reverence for the grape, Tom continues his passionate pursuit today as a wine consultant and educator who teaches others about oenology and wine collecting. Mr. DiNardo is a sommelier diplomate with the International Sommelier Guild and a member of the Society of Wine Educators. He is a freelance writer for Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, Santé and Wine Adventure Magazines, and is a regular contributor to Wine Squire.com and WineandSpiritsJobs.com. Tom is a featured auctioneer for Chicago based ERI wine auction gallery, and has sold some of the finest and rarest wines from around the world. Mr. DiNardo is also a certified master appraiser. Through these unique experiences, Tom has gained invaluable knowledge about the wine industry.

Prior to his wine immersion experience, Tom DiNardo founded DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers in 1993. A true entrepreneur and veteran charity auctioneer, Mr. DiNardo now had a unique opportunity to marry both his passion for wine and fund-raising auctions together in pioneering what is today one of the most exciting and newly emerging trends: charity wine auctions. Since its founding, DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers has achieved an outstanding reputation for fund-raising, record setting auction revenues (5 world records), and client satisfaction. Tom has been a featured auctioneer on TLC's "Wrecks to Riches" television program. DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers is ranked as one of the “Top 4 fundraising auction firms" in the nation, and Tom DiNardo has been referred to as "one of the nation’s preeminent charity wine auctioneers.” Tom welcomes the opportunity to serve your organization. Visit my Auction Calendar.

More info:

PO Box #11

Lynden, WA 98264

• info@DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com
• www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com
• 888-503-0828

Craig L. Bissell

25+ year wine industry professional. Vast knowlede of wines from around the world, polished, articulate, friendly and down-to-earth style. Staff training, beverage program development/management, hosted events, high-end functions, in-home dinner/wine tasting parties. Will assist will aspects of planning and selection. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

More info:

Central Florida

• clbissell@bellsouth.net
• 407.330.5827

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine and Spirits

Atanas Nechkov has been with ABC Fine Wine & Spirits since April, 2002, first as a wine consultant at one of our largest Orlando area stores, then as wine supervisor for the Central Florida and central coastal areas, supervising more than 40 stores. Prior to joining ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Atanas accumulated 14 years experience in resort and fine dining management here and abroad. Atanas is Sommelier Certified, receiving certification in October, 2001. Fluent in French and English, he has traveled extensively through Europe on wine buying trips. Atanas has frequently been called Orlando's best wine consultant, as he brings to the business of wine recommendation a genuine love for wine and an engaging style.

More info:

PO Box 593688
Orlando, FL 32859-3688

• atanasn@abcfws.com
• www.abcfws.com

Shayne Hebert, ABC Fine Wine and Spirits

Shayne began his career in the wine trade in upstate New York. In 1993, he moved to Florida and joined ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. He has visited growers and vintners throughout California, Germany, France, Italy and Australia, as well as Portugal and Austria. For several years, as the Wine Supervisor for our Central Florida and East Coast stores, Shayne also taught wine knowledge classes in ABC’s training program. Currently Wine Marketing Supervisor for ABC, Shayne is an excellent educator, making wine friendly and accessible, and with a wealth of knowledge to share with the most knowledgeable of wine enthusiasts.

More info:

PO Box 593688
Orlando, FL 32859-3688

• shayneh@abcfws.com
• www.abcfws.com
• 407-851-0000

Lisa Wilk, Orlando Uncorked

Co founder of Orlando Uncorked, a not for profit adult wine education group formed in 2002, promoting the exploration of wine for beginning, intermediate and advance wine drinkers. Orlando Uncorked functions are held one to two times per month. Lisa also currently teaching wine classes at the Winter Park Lifelong Learning institute offered through the Winter Park Library. Classes and events are a very approachable, designed specifically to demystify wines, one glass at a time! Featured in the May 3, 2006 Good Living section of The Orlando Sentinel.

More info:

• lisa@orlandograpevine.com
• www.orlandouncorked.org
• 321-662-3118

Julia Anita

Julia Anita - Cuisine & Etiquette Educator, Speaker & Author - has been conducting workshops, classes, seminars, briefings and team building programs in culinary appreciation, business and social etiquette skills for 30+ years in the United Kingdom and the United States. Julia has authored three gourmet cookbooks. She writes columns for magazines and newspapers on etiquette and culinary topics and appears on TV and radio talk shows sharing her expertise. Julia believes that we pick up, retain new skills, and make them into good habits more easily if we are having fun at the same time, thus her presentations are entertaining as well as informative.

More info:

PO Box 504,
Windermere, FL 34786-0504

• chefmagic@aol.com
• www.protocolessentials.com
• 407-484-7378

Rob the Wine Guy

Rob the Wine Guy Sommelier through court of Master Sommelier, and Professional member of Society of Wine Educators. Rob is the Director of Food & Beverage at Hilton's Historic Bayfront Resort in St. Augustine, Fl, and will be back in Orlando September 10th 2009,Rob's passion for wine and excellent communication skills make him a sought after wine educator for private tastings, wine festivals, and corporate VIP team building tastings throughout Florida. Exciting Executive Food & Wine Team Building Experience, Wine tasting classes and Advanced tastings are on-going. Web-site www.localwineevents.com Orlando tab.

More info:

1758 King Phillip Dr
Kissimmee, Fl 34744

• rcastillow@yahoo.com
• 407-791-7626

Tasters Guild Orlando

Tasters Guild Orlando... A Haven for the Food and Wine Lover... an International Organization dedicated to the education of individuals passionate about wine and food. Local events include wine tastings, wine dinners and quarterly magazine, The Tasters Guild Journal. Wine Speakers and Educators available for any event. Membership and information available at www.tastersguildorlando.com.

More info:

12448 Accipiter Drive
Orlando, FL
32837-8114

• info@tastersguildorlando.com
• www.tastersguildorlando.com
• 407-574-7500

The Vineyard at Cascades of Isleworth

A TRULY UNIQUE WINE EXPERIENCE Do you want to understand what wine is? Do you want to be able to describe what you taste? Learn the wine basics from A - Z! Taste several types of wine and acquire the skills to evaluate what you smell and taste. We'll also teach you how wine is made, what pairings bring out the best in food and wine, the do's and don'ts of wine service, how to purchase and store wine, and wine history. Anecdotes, laughs and wine are all served in generous proportions. Discover the world of Fine Wine! So many different and wonderful wines -- and they represent the place, the philosophy and the culture of country of origin. We taste and enjoy a variety of quality varietals to enhance your knowledge and bring a hedonistic smile to your face. We pair the wine with a series of marvelous foods and discover the culinary secrets together. Each experience is as unique as the vintage from which it came. We offer regular events that our customers love…….. The Vineyard is Orlando’s most exclusive fine wine shop as well as the area’s most relaxing wine and coffee bar.

AOL®CityGuide Editors and partons voted The Vineyard at Cascades in the Top 4 of Best Wine List in the Orlando area for 2006.

More info:

4848 S. Apopka Vineland Road
Suite 202
Orlando, Florida, 32819

• stan@thevineyardfl.com
• www.thevineyardfl.com
• 407-909-9522

Andrew McNamara

Andrew McNamara is the Department Chairman of the Certified Sommelier Program at the Professional Culinary Institute of Orlando. He passed the Master Sommelier exam in 2007, winning the Krug Cup – a prestigious award given to the person who passes the Master Sommelier Exam on the first attempt. He is the 10th person in the world to win this award. Subsequently, he was named one of Wine & Spirits Magazine's "Best New Sommeliers" for 2008. Prior to joining PCI, he was the sommelier of L’Escalier, the award-winning restaurant at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach – winner of the AAA Five Diamond Award and the Wine Spectator Grand Award. McNamara joined the prestigious sommelier team at the Breakers Palm Beach in March of 2005. In his role there he was responsible for the beverage operations of L’Escalier Restaurant, as well as the Tapestry Bar and the Breakers newest restaurant concept - Brasserie L'Escalier. He also assisted with purchasing for the other seven restaurants at The Breakers. He was also active in staff training throughout the hotel, participating in the resort's intensive employee wine class. In 2008 he, along with fellow Breaker's Master Sommeliers Juan Gomez MS and Virginia Philip MS, created "Discover the Wines of the World" - an ongoing wine education experience for the public and industry personnel alike. Prior to arriving at The Breakers, Andrew worked and consulted for Arthur’s Wine Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. McNamara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C.

More info:

1315 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 3B
Orlando, Florida 32835

• andrewm@pciwine.com
• pciwine.com
• 407.422.4080 x 5413