Thompson Wine Group

The Thompson Wine Group is an Atlanta-based wine consulting firm offering wine and food educators, wine event marketing and management assistance, special speakers, and more. Founded in 1999 by Dan Thompson, the Thompson Wine Group was the original creator behind The Wine Report magazine. Thompson also founded the Wine South Festival in Atlanta. Other services include: * Wine shop retail consulting, selection, service, advice * Wine classes, clubs, collector and insurance appraisals * Wine education, seminars, tastings for both on-and- off premise * Wine related restaurant training, hotel and trade show events

More info:

390 W. Pike St. #201
Lawrenceville, GA 30045

• thompsonwine@gmail.com
• www.thompsonwine.com
• 678-776-4765

Maggie Meroney

Maggie is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators. She is also a Certified Instructor with the French Wine Academy. Offering private tastings, cellar management, and classes for individuals or groups, Maggie brings her "joie de vivre" to learning about wine. She is also a consultant at Sherlock's Wine Merchant in Brookhaven. Enjoy complimentary guided tastings with her on Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

More info:

• maggie4wine@earthlink.net
• www.nectar4wine.com
• 678-508-7560

Nancy Waldeck for Taste and Savor Inc.

Looking for wine information presented in an exciting and fun format? Interested in finding out what you like about a certain wine and why you like it? Creating events that get you involved in the enjoyment of wine and food is Chef Nancy Waldeck’s specialty and passion. Her excellent presentation skills, original ideas, engaging personality and artistic expression make Taste and Savor classes unlike any other. Holder of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, (WSET) Level Three Advanced Certificate, Nancy can help you confidently choose the right wine, create perfect pairings and expand your repertoire. Exploring Italian Wines, Emerging Wine Contenders, The Amazing Wines of Germany, and About Wine 101 are some of her most popular classes. Whether you are looking for an introductory class to demystify wine for the casual sipper or more intense courses for the potential collector you’ve found the right guide. Your experience with Nancy and Taste and Savor will be fun, valuable and memorable!

More info:

1741 Garraux Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30327

• nwaldeck@tasteandsavor.com
• www.tasteandsavor.com
• 404.483.7829

David and Gayle Darugh - Wine Educators

David and Gayle Darugh (Oeno-Spelunkers Extraordinaire!) offer Wine Appreciation, Humorous After Dinner Talks, Consulting and Culinary Classes nation-wide or at their Bed and Breakfast Inn in Clayton, Georgia. Both are wine education professionals with many years of experience in the food and wine industry. Classes, training and wine tastings can be customized for individuals or groups, always in a relaxed and entertaining format. The pair specialize in matching food to interesting and esoteric wines. An extensive Wine Cellar is available for exciting vertical and horizontal tastings.

More info:

Beechwood Inn Bed and Breakfast
P.O. Box 429
220 Beechwood Drive
Clayton, GA 30525

• ddarugh@alltel.net
• www.beechwoodinn.ws/abouttheinnkeepers.html
• (706) 782-5485

The Taste Network

We started the wine and cheese pairing revolution in Atlanta 3 years ago. Take a look at the website and see what we we do. Partners include Whole Foods, Viking Culinary Arts Center, Cocktail Hour and J. Martinez Coffee Merchants.

More info:

Anywhere. Atlanta, Ga

• brady@tastenetwork.org
• www.tastenetwork.org
• 404.849.3569

Todd Jones / Simply Wine

We are available for making presentation on wine, and food and wine pairings. Please call us for availability and cost.

More info:

9700 Medlock Bridge Rd
Suite 188
Duluth, Ga 30097

• todd@mysimplywine.com
• www.mysimplywine.com
• 770-814-7780

Christila Milner

Articulate and passionate about wine, she is dedicated to removing the wine mystery for consumers.

More info:

PO Box 83354
Conyers, GA 30013

• winedownwithchris@gmail.com
• www.winedownwithchris.com
• 678-748-0346

The Beer Sommelier - Matt Simpson

Your customers are asking for beer with dinner. You’ve thought about expanding your beer lineup…but even that’s not enough and you know it. What keeps them coming back, with friends and family, is knowing they can receive the same treatment and professionalism when it comes to beer and food pairing, as they may with wine. And a great, fun time doesn’t hurt either.

As the resident “Beer Guru,” I will show you how to increase regular sales, while minimizing expense. With my contacts and a few logical, sensible programs, you will have more loyal, regular customers, clamoring for new releases every month, or begging to know when and where the next tasting is.

That, dear enthusiast, is where I come in. What both your customers and bottom-line are starving for, is the knowledge that there’s more to life than watery, light American macro beers. What they really need to know is what beers pair best with the Szechwan chicken, braised lamb chops or flourless chocolate tort they’ll be ordering or serving tonight. And I have those answers and much more.

WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU:

* “Beer Education 101,” for your staff and customers…
* Facilitate and host customized beer dinners…
* Evaluate beer lineups and planagrams, to maximize customer satisfaction and your bottom line…
* Beer Cellar creation and maintenance…
* Much more…!

MY EXPERIENCE:

* Emory University - \"Beer Education 101\" Instructor...
* Beer Columnist for 2 national publications...
* BJCP Certified Judge (www.bjcp.org)
* High Level Administrator of RateBeer (www.ratebeer.com)...
* Interviewed by The Washington Post, as being the owner of one of the largest and most comprehensive beer cellars in the world...

Put my cellar of expertise to work for your table of knowledge...and your bottom line!

More info:

2435 Wood Thrush Ct.
Marietta, GA 30062

• beersommelier@gmail.com
• www.thebeerexpert.com
• 404.513.6288

The European Wine Table

The European Wine Table offers you wine country excursions without you ever leaving your home. Transform your home and take a trip to Italy with your friends enjoying the food and listening to Italian music while learning about the wines and traditions of Italy's vast wine region. Or take a trip to New Zealand and sip on Sauvignon Blanc while you learn about how it’s made and why it taste so refreshingly good. Experience a new trend in wine education. Take an indoor vacation learning about wine with your luncheon group, bridal shower or dinner party. It’s a trip to wine country that will always be remembered. * Fun group Wine Parties through our “Lectures on Wine Series” * We also offer wine consultation services for your dinner parties, luncheons, and your growing wine collection

More info:

• theeuropeanwinetable@comcast.net
• www.theeuropeanwinetable.com
• 770-573-1007

Wine With a Chef, Harry Haff

I am a Chef Instructor of Wines and Beverages at Le Cordon Bleu, Atlanta, and when not teaching about wines, I can be found in hot food and baking/pastry kitchens. I am currently enrolled in the WSET Diploma program and am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. I am also a published author. Learn more about wines and beverages in your home. Find out how you can qualify for free classes. We also cater intimate in home dinner and wine parties. See my web site for professional business services. Also, for lots of good wine information look at my blog, http://winewithachef.blogspot.com. Cheers!

More info:

1620 Midland Ct
Alpharetta, GA 30004

• h2fl@yahoo.com
• www.winewithachef.com
• 678-576-0320

The Grape Girls

Hi - We're the Grape Girls! We've made it our mission to demystify the wine tasting experience, food pairing and selection process. We'll keep you posted on what's new and hot on the food and wine scene. We want to share our love of food, wine and travel with the world and can't wait for YOU to join us on our adventures. Cheers!

More info:

• info@grapecrushevents.com
• www.grapecrushevents.com
• 770-579-0808

Michael Bryan

Executive Director, Atlanta Wine School

More info:

• michael@atlantawineschool.com
• www.atlantawineschool.com
• 770-668-0435

Wine Wise/ Ophelia Santos D.W.S.

The Approved Program Provider (APP) for Wine & Spirit Education Trust ® Certificate Courses.The WSET is England's Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Since 1969 it has been affiliated with the Institute of Masters of Wine in educating the wine trade as well as consumers seeking a very thorough wine education. In the U.K., completion of WSET's Advanced Certificate and Diploma classes are pre-requisites for Master of Wine candidates. We offer the Intermediate and Advanced Certificate courses in the Atlanta area. We also organize the wine classes offered at Emory University's Center for Lifelong Learning.

More info:

• lara.winewise@gmail.com
• winewise.org/
• 404-680-3425

Anita L. LaRaia

Dynamic, fun & funny, very experienced wine speaker who's had many corporate clients--see Bio on website for list and References. Author of new book "Pick A Perfect Wine In No Time" www.quepublishing.com/wine Even sings at her events. Wine educator 28 years.

More info:

5270 North Peachtree Road
Dunwoody (Atlanta), GA 30338

• anitalaraia@msn.com
• www.anitalaraia.com
• 770-901-9433

SBB & Associates/Wine Accessories Mart

We conduct fun and educational/entertaining tastings. We offer use of hi-performance stemware to enhance the tasting experience and event. Special print logos available and event enhancements and tending, to make it a memorable event. Mark Barlow Chief Wine officier

More info:

4708 S Old Peachtree Rd. Building 100
Norcross Ga 30071

• wineaccessories@yahoo.com
• 770 449 7610