Who’s Coming

Chef
Brandon Pettit is the Chef and owner of award winning restaurants Delancey, Essex, and Dino's Tomato Pie. He lives on a farm outside Seattle with his partner Natalie, and their three wonderful daughters.

Sommelier
Charlie Humphreys is a Colorado-based wine professional who has dedicated his career to educating people about fine wine. Today he is proud to represent a portfolio of fine wine at Empire Distributors.

Butcher and Salumiere
Forbes Rigsby is a culinary enthusiast who grew up in their family's restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, where his passion for the culinary arts was ignited. Building on this foundation, he has expanded his culinary expertise in Colorado, specializing in whole animal butchery and charcuterie.

Sommelier
Joanie Bonfiglio is a wine sales professional who has specialized in French and Italian wines for over 20 years. She has taught a course about indigenous Italian wine grapes at the University of California, Irvine for several years, and travels to France and Italy regularly to study and learn about wine growers.

Proprietor
Meet Aaron Tomcak, the easygoing proprietor of Mountain Spirits Liquors, whose journey into the world of wine began when he took ownership of his liquor store in 2004. Since then, Aaron's path has been filled with exploration and tastings, affording him the opportunity to refine his palate and delve into the diverse realm of varietals and wine styles.

Sommelier
From perfectly brewed cups to impeccably poured glasses, Troy Bowen has always been passionate about crafting the perfect experience. At his wine bar, Noble Riot in Denver, Colorado, you'll find an atmosphere as captivating as a well-acted scene and wines as complex and intriguing as the best coffee beans.

Enologist
Sharde Shepherd became the ultimate wine aficionado when she discovered she could bring people together with science, history, geography, folklore, and a little bit of magic. At the end of the day she’s just a gal that loves to travel, be creative, and watch sunsets with her dogs.

Chef
Abby, the creator and Executive Chef of XIT Ranch Kitchen, boasts a rich culinary journey rooted in classical training and a passion for sustainable sourcing. Now a rancher herself, Abby and her family steward the XIT Ranch in Southern Colorado and Texas, prioritizing regenerative practices and direct sourcing from farmers and ranchers.

Chef
Seasoned culinary innovator, Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, is Executive Chef at José restaurant. A first-generation Mexican-American and native Texan, Chef AQ, as she is known, brings over 20 years of acclaimed culinary experience to produce regionally inspired dishes from Jalisco, Oaxaca, Mexico City and beyond.

Winemaker
As an assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock, Elizabeth honed her craft under luminaries like Heidi Barrett and Pam Starr, eventually ascending to the role of winemaker in 2005 and later becoming General Manager in 2011. With a knack for blending her strong science background with a love for wine, Vianna consistently crafts acclaimed wines at the Stags Leap District estate, earning both critical praise and consumer admiration.

Chef
Pat Manning's culinary journey began a decade ago at The Bean in Gunnison, where he's now set to open 1880 Tapas and Spirits with his wife, Kate. Graduates of Western Colorado University with business degrees, they ventured to Portland for culinary school, where Pat fell in love with food while working at Toro Bravo.

Winemaker
Lance Hanson co-founded Jack Rabbit Hill Farm with Anna Hanson in 2001 in Hotchkiss, Colorado. Jack Rabbit Hill is a pioneer in Colorado’s circular economy movement and it was the first certified organic vineyard-winery in Colorado.

Wine Professionals
Get ready to uncork a world of fun with Judy Byron and Diane Kresley, the dynamic duo with nearly four decades of combined wine expertise! Having joined the wine scene just a month apart almost twenty years ago, their journey has taken them to countless countries and wine regions, enriching their understanding of wine and their passion for travel. With a mission to banish pretension from the wine experience, Judy and Diane's seminars promise an unforgettable time filled with laughter, learning, and a few surprises along the way. Get ready to expect the unexpected and raise your glass to a truly memorable wine adventure!

Herbalist
The creative force behind Superbloom Herbals, transforms her lifelong passion for plants into a flourishing tea-making venture. With over a decade of experience in herbalism and a Master Clinical Herbalist Certification,Amanda crafts herbal teas that capture the essence of her botanical adventures, fulfilling her dream and delighting tea enthusiasts everywhere.

Chef
Meet Michael Busse, the culinary maestro and co-owner of Garlic Mike’s in Gunnison, CO, where he and Traci have tantalized taste buds for 30 years. Hailing from New Jersey, Mike infuses his dishes with a fusion of family recipes and inventive flavors.

Proprietor
Founded by husband and wife duo Devlin and Emily Forsythe, the Tahoe Kitchen Company has been on a mission since 2009 to curate exceptional kitchen products, starting with Hammer Stahl Cutlery and Heritage Steel Cookware, and expanding to include Wölfe Cutlery and La Fiola Olive Oils.

Wine Professional
With a heart both deeply in love with the Mountain West and the expansive category of Old World wines, Lucas has been on a journeyman adventure in the wine trade for over 15 years. Most recently, a kindling interest in indigenous Italian grape varieties has erupted into a full-blown passion for experiencing these cultural treasures of the Mediterranean.

Wine Professional
For the last 22 years Brooke has been building his career in the wine industry from coast to coast. Brooke lives in Colorado and is a District Manager with Terlato wines. His Passion for food and wine started during college while working in a fine dining restaurant. When Properly paired, Brooke knows that food and wine can truly come to life.

Winemaker
Kevin is a Colorado enthusiast; he takes advantage of our incredible biking, skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking, and wine! While working in Palisade he completed the Viticulture and Enology program at Colorado Mesa University. He is now the Assistant Winemaker at Buckel Family Wine in Gunnison, and loves making fantastic wines in this fantastic valley!

Wine Professional
Camille Cox brings her wealth of experience as the Vice President of Sales for Jeeper Americas, having dedicated most of her career to two prestigious Champagne Houses before joining Maison Champagne Jeeper. Instrumental in establishing these brands in the early days of the US market, Camille now focuses on crafting and conveying the compelling narrative of Maison Jeeper and Chateau La Mascaronne.

Spirits Professionals
n 2015, Katie and Tim began exploring craft cocktail making at home, sparking a passion that grew when they settled in Crested Butte in 2020. Tim's bartending skills flourished in local establishments, leading them to envision a business contributing to their beloved community. Through chance, they acquired Montanya Distillery's equipment, launching them into artisan distilling. Just two years later, they unveiled Anthracite Lounge on Elk Ave., offering a variety of spirits and inventive cocktails.

The Wyld Honeys
We're two best friends who share a deep passion for the joy of cooking and dining in the great outdoors. Join us in bringing a sense of adventure to your table where every meal becomes a story, and every gathering is one for the books.

Winemaker
Vianna was named to the position of Assistant Winemaker at Chimney Rock in January 2002, and advanced to the position of Head Winemaker in April 2005. In 2011 she was promoted to General Manager of Chimney Rock, and she continues in her role as Head Winemaker at the Stags Leap District estate winery.