Inside IWM

Chris Deas

Chris Deas is Vice President of Italian Wine Merchants. Since 2003, Chris has focused on building the IWM brand by launching the IWM e-Letter, website, and wine club; developing IWM’s proprietary Cellar Management program; creating and presenting educational material to wine enthusiasts; and building key business partnerships.  Chris came to IWM from McCann Erickson, where he served as an account manager and focused on Columbia/TriStar Pictures, and DNA Studio, where he served as Marketing Director.  He has a BS from Villanova University in Marketing, Business Administration and carries various certificates in wine studies.  Chris resides in Brooklyn with his wife and their daughter and continues his life’s mission: to find the perfect wing, slice and burger.

Christy Canterbury

Christy Canterbury returns to Italian Wine Merchants as Wine Acquisitions Director, a role that will engage her expertise in bringing wines from outside of Italy to IWM’s clients. Working with Sergio for three years previously, Christy’s wine education began at IWM and she earned her Diploma of Wine & Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) of London during that time. Having her philosophy of wine shaped by Sergio is an experience that Christy values more than she can say. After leaving IWM in 2004, Christy took her love of wine further, and today she is a candidate for the Master of Wine title and is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers. Christy’s various roles—including being a wine writer and editor—don’t give her much free time, but when she does have down time she enjoys hiking in far-flung destinations and listening to live symphony productions at the Met and Carnegie Hall. And when in Chicago, she’s always up for blues at Buddy Guy’s Legends.

Emily Lenhart

Prior to graduating Villanova University in May 2009 with a degree in Finance and International Business, Emily Lenhart was struck with the “wine bug,” something that came naturally with studying abroad in Geneva, Switzerland and traveling Europe during college.  Even though she has had no formal wine education, Emily’s curiosity about and knowledge of wine have blossomed upon her taking the position of Junior Portfolio Manager at IWM.  Some of Emily’s favorite pastimes include traveling, cooking (including trying new foods), and learning about new cultures.  A native to Rockland County, she looks forward to moving into NYC over the next few months, in hopes of starting her life as a real New Yorker.

Franco Vigorito

Having grown up in an Italian family in New Jersey, Francesco Vigorito has understood that food and wine are an integral part of his life since childhood.  Francesco became really interested in wine when he tasted one of Italy’s most iconic wines, a 1998 Ornellaia, at the family celebration for his high school graduation, and he was amazed at how one bottle of wine can have such an effect on a life. From that point on, Francesco has devoted much of his time to the science and enjoyment of wine. After graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science, Francesco enrolled in the Wine Expertise program at Apicius Hospitality School in Florence Italy.  There, he primarily studied Italian wine and viticulture, while soaking up every bit of Italian culture.  In Italy, Francesco wrote for “Mutineer Magazine,” a fine beverage magazine, and he also wrote two chapters in a Tuscan wine book as a joint student/teacher project for his school.    After a year of study, Francesco obtained his Sommelier Certification in the U.K and is now very happily employed with IWM.

Jane Nelson

Jane Nelson is the Junior Wine Portfolio Manager at Italian Wine Merchants. Food and people have long been an interest of Jane Nelson’s—a likely result of growing up as the middle of five children in a family whose existence centered on the arrival of meal times. Although as a child she was considered the pickiest of eaters, Jane has outgrown that designation and now eagerly samples foods of most shapes and sizes. Her work in restaurants for the better part of young adulthood has afforded Jane ample opportunity to work with customers of all dispositions, to develop a high standard of service, cuisine and wine, and the desire to learn more. In May 2009, she earned a Bachelors of Science from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. Jane Nelson joined IWM in September as a Junior Wine Portfolio Manager and she looks forward to enjoying all the food and wine perks that come with the position.

Janice Cable

Janice Cable has been writing for Italian Wine Merchants and Sergio Esposito since January 2008; she is currently the editor of the IWM blog. A magazine writer, blogger, copyrighter, academic and gadabout, Janice has had her work appear in GQ, Singular, Penthouse, Industry, Psychology Today, and New Woman magazines, as well as in several anthologies. She doesn’t know very much about wine, but she enjoys learning about it.

Josh Rubenstein

Josh Rubenstein leads IWM’s International Business Development and is currently based in Hong Kong.  Previously, Josh was IWM’s Sales Manager in New York, and he has worked with IWM’s Portfolio Management group for three years.  Living in Hong Kong since February 2009, Josh is developing IWM in Asia, including establishing IWM Hong Kong’s Portfolio Management, Export and Distribution, events and education.  Prior to joining IWM, Josh lived in Rome and managed Platform3000, a global student services company, for two years—all while developing a passion for Italian food and wine culture. Outside of IWM, you’re likely to find Josh on one of Hong Kong’s beautiful hiking trails or at one of the city’s many swanky lounges singing Sinatra at karaoke, although that happens in the office too.

Kathy Rushforth

After working a handful of years in book publishing, including stints in marketing at Hachette Book Group and Rough Guides, Kathy Rushforth joined IWM in 2007. Prior to joining IWM, Kathy had a season-long internship at a Long Island vineyard, obtained the Advanced Certificate at the International Wine Center (IWC) and decided to make wine a full-time study. While her work at IWM initially focused on managing the company’s content, more recent responsibilities involve e-Commerce, email marketing, site development, SEO and a host of other systems related tasks—things she learned on the job and in her coursework at Columbia University. Kathy feels passionately about wine, though she also extends that love to include cider and Belgian-style beer. She also loves the great outdoors.

Kerry-Jo Rizzo

Supporting her pursuit of the theatrical dream, Kerry-Jo Rizzo is currently working as a Sales Associate in IWM’s showroom, as well as for Haberdasher Theatre, a non-profit theatre company.  While living the cliché cocktail waitress-by-night/actor-by-day lifestyle, Kerri-Jo discovered her love of wine.  Kerry-Jo now holds certifications in both intermediate and advanced from the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust), which has helped to deepen her appreciation of wine and its ability to create wonderful shared experiences between people.  Kerry-Jo loves working for a company with such knowledgeable employees and such enthusiastic clients.

Maya Borenstein

Maya Borenstein graduated in 2008 from the University of Central Florida with a BFA in Graphic Design, minor in Digital Media. After graduating, she spent a year as a freelance designer while also working as a reading specialist in Miami. After the school year was over in June 2009, she moved to New York and started working at Italian Wine Merchants as a Junior Graphic Designer. With a passion for food and the arts, she now adds wine to the list of things she loves.

Melissa Sutherland Amado

A New Media designer peddling proud visual communication and brand strategy for the food and wine culture, Melissa Sutherland Amado is the Creative Director at Italian Wine Merchants. After a decade in policy and politics, Melissa jumped into the stream of design strategy and new media in 2005 when she helped open ViNOViNO, an innovative wine bar and shop. Melissa is an avid runner, a curious wanderer of New York streets and bookstores, and a seeker of unmerciful honest wine lists. Melissa completed her graduate studies in new media theory and production at The New School’s graduate program in Media Studies & Film in 2007, and she idealistically believes that one can live in a world of both word and image. Which she often does, preferably with a glass of Weinbach Riesling in one hand and a bowl of sesame cold noodles in the other.

Natasha Badillo

Natasha Badillo joined IWM in 2007, after working  for three years in the catering industry and earning a Diploma in Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute. Before her entry into the food & wine world, Natasha studied English & Theatre at Princeton University — one might say she began her “wine studies” there as well! Her journey at IWM began in the (then) brand new Cellar Management department, where she helped to build an extensive wine database, developed their web-based cellar tracking software, and earned the singularly mock-able title of “Cellar Master.” She now manages finance and logistics for the company, and a good part of her day is spent attempting to dial international phone numbers (at a 30% success rate) and dividing very large numbers by 12. She is very excited for this chance to exercise her right brain a little more often!

Perry Porricelli's son in IWM's Studio del Gusto

Perry Porricelli has been with IWM since its very beginning. Like Sergio Esposito, Perry grew up in a house where wine was served as an aperitif, a toast, a drink with meals, and a panacea, but unlike Sergio, he grew up in the Bronx; his family’s traditions and customs gave him a lifelong love of Italian wine and Italian culture. With a background in investment and financial services industry, Perry brings the financial savvy to match Sergio’s palate, and his current role at IWM allows him to employ his financial acumen, his management Zen, and his wine philosophy. In addition to wine, Perry has a passion for music and a tremendous collection of very cool belt buckles.

Rob Allen

Rob Allen is the VP of  Sales at Italian Wine Merchants. Hailing from Italian stock in upstate New York, Rob Allen has created a name for himself at the intersection of food and wine. Rob has spent his time since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1999 honing his knack for pleasing both oenophiles and gastronomes alike throughout the New York region. He was both chef and restaurateur in the Hudson Valley before coming to New York City to concentrate on his passion for wine. After working to broaden the portfolio and to create food pairings at wine tastings for Domaine Select Wine Estate, Rob moved on to find his niche as a Senior Wine Portfolio Manager at Italian Wine Merchants, then becoming a principal in New York Wine Co.  Returning home to IWM as VP of Sales, Rob’s clients trust his incredibly deep knowledge of wine; they are drawn to his natural ability to understand, match, and develop their tastes; and they appreciate his unpretentious character. He’s just Rob the Wine Guy.

Sergio Esposito in IWM's Vintage Tasting Room

Sergio Esposito, IWM Founder & CEO. With more than 20 years of experience in the world of Italian wine,Sergio is recognized by industry insiders as the premier Italian wine consultant in the United States. In 1999, Sergio founded Italian Wine Merchants in New York City and continues to lead the store in raising the profile of Italian wine in this country and influencing both colleagues and collectors with cutting-edge selections and services. Journalists, writers and wine enthusiasts regularly consult with him, and he is frequently featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and SmartMoney. Sergio spends three months of the year in Italy, where he meets with producers, tastes new vintages, and brokers the sale of wines. He travels around the United States monthly, giving lectures and presenting tastings. Sergio is also the author of Passion on the Vine: A Memoir of Food, Wine and Family in the Heart of Italy.

Passion on the Vine is Sergio’s evocative memoir of his journey from Italy to America and his frequent trips back to his homeland, some with his growing family in tow. He takes you to the cold hills of Friuli, the world-famous cellars of Piedmont, the sweeping estates of Tuscany, the windy beaches of Le Marche, and the lush fields of Campania. Along the way he introduces a cast of remarkable characters, not the least of which are his own mother and father-at times exasperating but always endearing. You’ll also meet the man who introduced Italy’s wine and gastronomic heritage to the world; a ballroom-dancing winemaker who bases his farming on the rhythm of the moon; and an obsessive prince who destroys his vineyards before his death so that his grapes will never be used incorrectly. A very personal celebration of food, wine, and family that no one will be able to resist, Passion on the Vine is quite simply the most beautiful love letter to Italy you will ever have the pleasure of reading.

Tara Carille

Currently in the final semester towards earning her Masters of Science in Management at Columbia University, Tara Carille is the Assistant Store Manager at Italian Wine Merchants. She primarily spends her days trying to demystify Italian wine and create an educational experience for all IWM clients. Tara hopes to take advantage of Inside IWM to further unmask wine and give more thorough explanations to some of her more challenging guest inquiries.  A holder of the Advanced Certificate with the WSET, Tara first discovered that a career in wine was her future during her undergraduate studies while abroad in Florence, Italy, where she enjoyed the seemingly endless meals of bottomless bottles of wine, divine cuisine and sublime company.

Tida Lenoel's dog Sophie, a Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Tida Lenoel grew up in Boston, MA, and even though she has re-located to New York City, she is still—and will always be—a Red Sox fan. Raised in part in her mother’s restaurant, Tida consequently lives and breathes all things food and wine. Tida was lucky enough to attend Cornell’s Hotel School, an undergraduate hospitality program where she learned everything from how to cook a five-course meal to how to create business models and manage finances. Tida just moved to New York City to start working for IWM in September as a Junior Wine Portfolio Manager. Tida has a passion for traveling, cooking, and she also has a soft spot for dogs.

Tina Benitez

Of Italian and Spanish decent, Tina speaks neither language. Instead, she chose to learn French, and now pronounces (or tries to pronounce) Italian wines on a daily basis. Prior to working with IWM, Tina graduated NYU with a BA in journalism and started working as a staff editor of a luxury travel publication where she had the opportunity to travel around the world and further fuel her love of wine. (Her earliest taste of wine was given to her from her late grandfather, who was of Sicilian decent.) Tina joined Wine Spectator in 2008. Still a contributing writer, Tina also writes for various publications as a freelancer and has been published in magazines like Billboard, Woman’s Day and Men’s Fitness but always prefers to cover music (rock) and wine—her two passions. An avid traveler, she started visiting a different wine region each year. Champagne and Burgundy have been checked off as well as most of Austria. Next: France’s Rhône region, Rioja and Priorat in Spain and—obviously—all of Italy! Always ready to learn more about wine, she’s working hard on her MA from the school of Italian Wine Merchants.

Tom Powers

Tom Powers joined IWM in March 2009 as the Director of Sales, a role that keeps him busy developing new clients around the US. Before joining IWM, Tom worked for two years with Moet Hennessy, but he spent bulk of his professional career in the restaurant industry in Chicago. He opened the Marche in 1993 serving as General Manager, and in 1997 he opened his own restaurant Harvest on Huron, which earned Best New Restaurant from the Chicago Tribune, 20/20 from WBBM, and had a feature article from John Mariani in Wine Spectator. Tom also has had a consulting business for years, has served as the on-camera Wine Expert for WGN TV, has published several wine articles and has become a respected lecturer on service and the wine industry. Tom currently lives in Chicago with his fiancée Kara Kelly, son Michael Alexander, and golden retrievers Remi and Simon, a brand new puppy. In addition to being passionate about wine, Tom loves scuba diving, attending live music and enjoying epic meals with friends and family.

Will Di Nunzio

Back in 1984, my father decided to move the family from my birth place of Greenwich, CT to his home country – Italy. Rome was the destination and would be my home for the next 23 year… not too bad. My father, born in small town outside of Campobasso, Molise, made sure that we got the best of both worlds at all times; Italian life style and culture with an American education. At the time, my father was not the best cook, but he went to culinary school to learn how to make the dishes for us that you say “oh my God” – his lasagna is still unrivaled in my book. He was busy so family time, much like in Sergio’s book, was at the table. We learned how to cook and how to eat at a young age. Wine was, of course, always a part of it. Sunday lunch always involved some sort of red table wine that we all shared. Once out of school and ready to start my work carrier, I found working in restaurants and bars fascinating and, above all, fun; and so it began. Eight years of working in the food and beverage industry while holding a sales job during the day, reflects the traditions of the proud workaholics in my family who tended to not do much else than work.

Being in New York City now for almost 3 years, I have learned many things, ironically, about Italian wines and grow more passionate of them each day. Being one of the few Italians in the IWM Family who was raised in Italy, I am eager to share my thoughts on the wines that come from my home country (one of two) and always try to give that “outside of the box” opinion when asked.