I’m Ryan + I love wine.
My dad loved wine. Like many Americans of his generation he gravitated toward big, bold Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Then we traveled to Chile and he fell in love with Carmenère and Malbec. Throughout his life, he enjoyed good food and good company. Good wine was just the glue that brought everything together. In Chile, after a few bottles of wine and a superb dinner, we dreamed of starting a winery.
While my dad is no longer alive (and we never did start a winery together), I’ve continued to live out his legacy:
good food
good company
good wine.
About 5 years ago I started systematically drinking and studying wine. I would focus on a new country or region each month, try different wines, learn about the styles, take notes and move on. In 2016, I moved to Paris and (again) systematically dove into the world of drinking/learning wine, having the opportunity to visit all of the major wine regions in France.
Due to the convenience of living in Europe and my love for travel, I found myself visiting wineries in over 15 countries. When my firstborn daughter was 5 weeks old I took her to her first winery (Fin del Mundo in Neuquén, Argentina) and by the time she was 4 she had joined me wine tasting in 6 countries.
___
I gravitate toward wine and wine producers that take a more traditional approach to winemaking rather than an industrial/commercial approach. TLC (‘tender love and care’) is more important to me than taste profile, availability, or economics. Wine should be made in the vineyard, not just in the cellar. Wine, more than any other drink, can vary in complexity, taste, style, and boldness. I’ve learned to appreciate wines across the spectrum of taste, style, and boldness, and prefer wines of complexity, connectedness (to a place or person) and care… even if I have to pay a little extra.
While getting my MBA at IE Business School in Madrid, I was the President of the Wine & Gastronomy Club, organizing food & wine events with industry professionals and leading tastings. Since moving back to the US in 2020, I have been leading virtual wine tastings — a great way to keep in touch with friends and wine lovers across the globe. I love helping people discover new wines… and people/places behind the wine.
As I continue sharpening my palate and learning about the world of wine, I will be formalizing my credentials through the Society of Wine Educators as a Certified Specialist of Wine.