When Kermit Lynch opened a retail wine shop in 1972, he took a bold leap into a new career. One year later, after traveling to Burgundy to meet directly with farmers, winemakers and négociants, his passion for French wines deepened. Moreover, Lynch established a commitment to supporting producers representing the best of their region and appellation and showcasing wines that are pure, with minimal external influence and manipulation. Lynch is the author of Adventures on the Wine Route, winner of the James Beard Foundation’s “Wine Professional of the Year”, and the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the French government for his service to the wine industry.
For the past thirty years, Randall Grahm has been the winemaker and self-described “President-for-Life” of Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz. Since 2002, he has focused on the implementation of Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic principles in his vineyard and winery and in May 2007 his Ca’ del Solo Vineyard received Biodynamic certification. A frequent lecturer and writer, Grahm is also very interested in the intersection of language and the fermented grape. His idiosyncratic newsletters have developed a cult-following on par with that of his wines.
Karen MacNeil is considered one of the foremost wine experts in the United States. She is the author of The Wine Bible, recognized as “the most comprehensive and authoritative book on wine written by an American author.” The winner of numerous awards and industry distinctions, MacNeil was inducted into the Wine Media Guild Hall of Fame in 2010.