Staff
Here at Vino! we love wine. Ask any of us!
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John Allen - Co-founder, Sales ManagerI remember in December of 1984, I was absolutely struck by a wine served to my friends and I at Rossilini's Other Place in Seattle, when my interest in wine was more casual. The wine was so etherial and completely beautiful to taste I could hardly believe it. It "rocked my world" and truly set me on the course of my future carreer. It was a Chardonnay, a white Burgundy from Mersault, I'll never forget it! John is a deep well of wine knowledge. Considered one the of the leading wine authorities and educators in the Inland Northwest, John has been in the retail wine business for over 20 years. He loves to share his knowledge and has designed and conducted over 1000 wine-related presentations, seminars, tastings, dinners, and educational classes. |
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Nancy Sazama - Co-founder, Business ManagerI always thought I only liked white wine, until I had the rare opportunity to taste a 30 year old Bordeaux. What a revelation for me. Not only did I discover that I could love red wine as much as white wine but I began to understand what time in a bottle can do for wine. Young red wines are still not my favorite but add a few years and voilà, heaven in a glass. Nancy not only has a passion for wine, but for managing her own business as well. After working in the business world for 20 years, it was natural that she bring that knowledge to the Vino! table. Most days you can find her in the office doing what she loves, making sure all the background details that keep Vino! running smoothly are handled. |
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Jennifer Haglund - Co-founder, Operations Manager"I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and I drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it- unless I'm thirsty." - Lily Bollinger After growing up in Walla Walla wine country and working in fine dining all through college, it seemed destined that Jennifer end up at Vino! Her goal is to run a well-oiled machine dedicated to bringing the best wine, customer service and consistency to Vino! Customers. One of her true passions at Vino! Is writing the restaurant review for the monthly newsletter. She considers this "one of my “hardest” job duties." |
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Terry Knight - Lead Sales, Assistant Operations ManagerI appreciate all wine, just some more than others. Ridge 1978 Montebello will forever hold a place in my memory! Lush, rich and seductive, an ‘OMG’ moment. Not that others aren’t equally so, but this was one of my first ‘big time’ wine experiences, most unforgettable. Terry joined Vino in 2004 and has been helping customers, whether on the phone or in person, find exactly what they are looking for ever since. Her background as a teacher (20 years!) makes her the excellent person to not only answer questions but also continue learning about wine with the customers. She loves the challenge of helping a customer find the 'perfect' wine for any occasion. |
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Erin Hill - Sales AssociatesDuring a trip to the Walla Walla Valley in the early 90’s, we visited several wineries, learning about varietals, talking with winemakers and sipping our way through the valley. It opened up a whole new world and the love affair and passion for wine took hold. Until then I had enjoyed the wine my mother drank while growing up – Gallo Burgundy, yes I am a product of the 60’s. I had no idea that wine was so complex, so full of history and yes, even sexy. I hope to keep learning and sipping for the rest of my life. After working for several years in telecommunications, Erin decided to follow her passion and joined the Vino! team. Since then she has been thriving providing great customer service and spreading her love for the Vino! experience. As well as helping Jennifer and Terry run the shop, she is using her unique skills to help Vino! reach a whole new audience via social media. |
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Rhett humphrey - Sales AssociateI can't tell you every label or producer that I have tasted, but I'll always remember the friends and family smiling and laughing with me over the glug of wine being poured and the clink of toasting wine glasses. I think of the time sitting on the steps of the Sacre Couer Cathedral in northern Paris drinking an inexpensive table wine with good friends. I think of walking the streets of Pamplona enjoying some traditional sangria and celebrating the San Fermin Festival. I think of the time of celebrating Independence Day with a magnificent bottle and watching fireworks from the deck on Lake Chelan with family. Having a deep passion for wine and a thirst for knowledge in the industry, Rhett returned to school and recently obtained his Global Wine Studies degree from Central Washington University. Being new to the wine scene and the newest member of the Vino! family, he hopes to bring a youthful perspective to the business as well as knowledge from his experiences working in different tasting rooms and wine shops. |
From its beginnings in 1995, Vino!-WineShop has been the happy center of continuous activity, from ferreting out the best wines we can find, scheduling unique classes and dinners, hosting Friday & Saturday tastings, building more bins for new Wine of the Month Club members, and helping non-profit groups with fundraisers. From our shelves to your table, we are busily committed to finding great values, selecting excellent wines, supporting the local community, and creating a fun place to shop. We love our work, and we hope you do, too!
Remember, if you don't like any wine you purchase from us, you can bring it back and we'll replace it with a wine of equal value of your choice. We are committed to making sure you enjoy what you purchase from us.
