About our Lead Instructor, ROGER C. BOHMRICH, MW
In 1993, Roger became one of the first Americans to pass the Master of Wine (“MW”) examination administered by the Institute of Masters of Wine in London. For ten years he dedicated himself to the MW cause, first as Education Coordinator of the North American educational program, then as Chairman of the No. American Advisory Board, leading the formation of the non-profit Institute of Masters of Wine (No. America), where he served three terms as its first President.
Roger has worked for two national importers, last as Senior Vice President-Marketing for Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, where he directed a team in brand management, advertising, and public relations. He acted as buyer and liaison with wineries in a dozen countries, and also developed training and education for the firm’s staff and wholesale clients.
More recently, he set up the U.S. affiliate of Millesima, S.A., Europe’s leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers via mail order and the internet. At present, he is an independent educator, speaker and consultant. Visit Roger's website: http://www.vintrinsic.com/
His articles and writing have appeared in Wine Business Monthly, Santé Magazine for restaurant professionals, and The Business of Wine – An Encyclopedia. Roger also provides the “Wine Q&A” replies to questions posted on LocalWineEvents.com.
Roger has an intimate association with Rhône Valley wines, travelling regularly to the region to taste the new vintage and visit vineyards and cellars. He brings this expertise and his MW background to the Rhône Master-Level program.
Words on Roger’s teaching style (feedback from past students and hosts):
“You have an amazing talent in your ability to succinctly and clearly convey a great deal of knowledge” – Great Wine Seminar, Florida
“You received so many accolades from the audience – far more than any other speaker” – Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh
“You put on one of the most enjoyable and educational tastings I have had the honor of attending” – California State University, Fresno, Dept of Enology
“Your presentation was outstanding” – Sonoma County Grape Growers
“Your presentation romanticized the wines and literally brought them to life” – Epcot Wine Festival, Walt Disney World
“The SWE would like to have you back as a speaker…your evaluations in both sessions were extremely high and the sessions were very popular” – Society of Wine Educators
KELLY MCAULIFFE, Sommelier
American-born and French-trained, Kelly’s roles within the wine world have included superstar sommelier, wine consultant and educator and wine tour entrepreneur. Kelly has been sommelier or wine director for Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, Chef Alain Ducasse’s go-to wine guy with head sommelier/wine director or assistant director duties at Spoon, Alain Ducasse’s restaurant in Paris, Bar & Beouf in Monte Carlo, and Mix Restaurant in Las Vegas. He was also head sommelier at Avignon’s only Michelin star rated restaurant, Christian Etienne. Currently, Kelly is a wine consultant for Inter-Rhone and agent for French exports; he conducts custom-guided wine tours of the Rhone Valley.
Kelly completed his sommelier diploma from the Universite du Vin, Suze-la-Rousse, France and his wine education at the University of California-Berkley. He is member of the Association de Sommellerie Française in the Languedoc-Roussillon & Valley du Rhône regions.
Words on Kelly’s teaching style (feedback from French Wine Society Conference 2010 attendees):
“Great presenter, Kelly was very laid-back and approachable”
“McAuliffe was awesome, down-to-earth, knowledgable…bring him back!”
“I loved his combination of knowledge and passion. Amazing that 3 hours could go by so quickly.”
“Great humor blended with vast experience. He really knows how to engage and present.”
“With his on-the-ground experience, it was almost as good as being there.”
CATHERINE FALLIS, MS
America's premiere female Master Sommelier.
Planet Grape's popular and entertaining speaker and host for corporate and private events, Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis, aka grape goddess®, is also a professional Champagne sabreuse(www.saberingchampagne.com), a Contributing Editor for Sommelier Journal, CNBC's Wine Portfolio and Basil Magazine, and a French Wine Scholar and instructor at the San Francisco Wine School.
Fallis is the only person in the world to have earned both the prestigious Master Sommelier diploma from the International Court of Master Sommeliers and the Advanced Certified Wine Professional title from the Culinary Institute of America. She is also a French Wine Scholar and an instructor at the San Francisco Wine School.
Words on Catherine’s teaching style (feedback from past students and hosts):
“Thank you so much for bringing European wines to life! I have such an American/Californian palate that I could not dig deeper into the nuances of the delicate French wines! I feel I have a base knowledge now and certainly a marker from which to evaluate French wines...”
“Catherine, thank you so much for the amazing class on Classic European wines at the CIA/Napa.”
“You are very professional, very knowledgeable, very classy a great presenter with a great sense of humour.”
“Catherine delivers a generous slice of personality in the classes she teaches for us”
“Panache doesn’t begin to describe the sight of Catherine Fallis sabering a bottle of Champagne”
CHARLES CURTIS, MW
Head of Asia Wine Sales, Christie’s
Charles' professional career began as a chef who trained at the Cordon Bleu Paris. He worked in restaurants around the world before moving to the wine wholesale and importer arena in NY. Most recently, he was Director of Wine and Spirit Education for Moët Hennessy USA.
Curtis becamse the 22nd Master of Wine in the United States in October of 2004. Through the years, he has garnered a number of honors, including the prestigious “Bourse André Crispin” in 2002, presented by the Commanderie de Bordeaux aux Etats-Unis, of which he is now a member. He is on the board of the Institute of Masters of Wine (North America).
Words on Charles’ teaching style (feedback from French Wine Society Conference 2010 attendees):
“What a treat! Worth the money and the trip from far away. Star of the show!”
“This was the most fun! Loved this! Wish we could do it for half a day!”
“Amazing”
“Fantastic”
“10++++”
“Excellent speaker”
“His presentation was worth the admission I paid for the entire conference, excellent”
“His guided tasting was invaluable.”
“Enjoyed and learned…great experience”
PAUL WAGNER
President, Balzac Communications
Paul Wagner has been an instructor for Napa Valley College's Viticulture and Enology department for fifteen years. In addition, he teaches at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and is a guest lecturer at universities throughout the world on wine history, culture, and wine marketing. His public relations company, Balzac Communications, has represented the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux in the USA for the past ten years.
Paul is a founding member of the Academy of Wine Communications, a member of the nominations committee of the Culinary Institute of America’s Vintner’s Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Spadarini della Castellania di Soave in 2005. In 2009, he was honored with a “Life Dedicated to Wine” award at the Feria Nacional del Vino (FENAVIN) in Spain.
Words on Paul’s teaching style (feedback from French Wine Society Conference 2010 attendees):
“Paul is very entertaining and informative and has a refreshing take on wine education.”
“Paul is an accomplished orator and has a wealth of knowledge.”
“Thought provoking--brings the subject alive.”
“Great communicator—terrific approach”
“Delightful!”
“Intelligent, lively, well-prepared, excellent points made”
“Funny! Engaging.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed his presentation; very thought-provoking.”
“Unique approach, 180 degrees away from what most of us are used to”
DAVID GLANCY, MS
Owner, San Francisco Wine School
David Glancy is one of only 12 people in the world to pass both the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Master exam (MS) and the Society of Wine Educators’ Certified Wine Educator exam (CWE).
He created, oversees and teaches the Certified Sommelier Program at the Professional Culinary Institute in California and is a regular contributor to Sommelier Journal. He has worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years throughout the U.S. and in Asia and has traveled to many of the wine regions of the world.
Words on David's teaching style (from his past students):
"The single greatest education experience I've ever had"
"David is a dynamic, dedicated and inspirational teacher."
"Highly professional, expert, with an incredible amount of knowledge that he loves to share with his students, and anyone interested. Patient, caring, approachable, motivating, knowledgeable, funny are only some of the words that describe him. He will be there for you to answer every question and make sure you understand."
“David Glancy's exceptional sommelier instruction and ongoing mentorship are key elements to my success in my new, and wonderfully satisfying, career as a sommelier and Wine Director of a Michelin star restaurant."
