Erin Rolek was the Wine Director for The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis for over eight years. Along the way she was recognized multiple times, perhaps most notably by Food and Wine as a Sommelier of the Year 2017 as well as earning a spot in the 2019 list of James Beard Semi-finalists for Outstanding Wine Program in America. Erin moved to Los Angeles in 2019 to oversee the wine program at Onda and, though short-lived, the Los Angeles Times took favorable notice of her list from the outset. Since then, she's spent time at Domaine LA and has opened a small wine market in Silver Lake Los Angeles called, "Rolek's". 

Nick has worked in the restaurant business for 20+ years. He's always worked front of the house, and like most front-of-house employees do, he caught the wine bug early on. Scott went on to be the beverage director and somm for many restaurants in San Diego. He now represents Springboard Wines and gets to showcase amazing wine producers that he believes in every day!

Born and raised in San Diego, Patrick cut his teeth in the restaurant industry through high school and college.  He toyed with the idea of being a chef but was eventually turned off by the hours required of the role and quickly found the wine trade as a similarly rewarding and more attractive option.  Patrick jumped in headfirst with his first wine class at SDSU and quickly started studying with the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) eventually earning the accreditation of Certified Sommelier and WSET Advanced.  In his 20+ years in the wine business, Patrick has had the opportunity to travel to many of the iconic wine regions of the world and taste many of the world’s best wines.  Rare and expensive wines will always be exciting, however, what’s most thrilling for Patrick is unearthing value wines that authentically reflect the grape and place they’re from. 

"...A complete novice, she got straight to work, studying day and night — basically, any time she wasn’t working at the restaurant — and just six months later, she earned her certification as a sommelier. Her adaptational fast-track to the world of wine is a feel-good story all its own, but it was just the beginning of the successes for her and the family business, Californios. 

In 2015, two years after opening, the white linen was awarded its first Michelin star, and by 2017 it had the distinction of being the world’s only two-star Michelin restaurant celebrating Mexican cuisine. Randolph’s wine program, which grew from a list with 14 producers to a cellar featuring more than 800 in a span of just eight years, was integral to those accolades, as well as a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and a Best Wine Restaurants nod from Wine Enthusiast. And in 2021, when The Michelin Guide bestowed its first-ever Sommelier of the Year awards, she was one of just two somms to receive one." - excerpt from Ranch and Coast Magazine

Brett Benham is a San Diego-based California Native managing Southwest and Pacific Northwest national distribution for Massanois Imports. After growing up in the Bay Area, and a short stint in Provence, he studied Agriculture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. He then spent 8+ years working in distribution in San Francisco before moving to San Diego to assume his current role.

Brett has a passion for authentically made classic wines, as well as a particular interest in Organic & Biodynamic viticulture. His inspiration may go back to his time living in France, or his studies of Organic Agriculture, or possibly it was that first bottle of Port he stole from his parents all those years ago. Whatever the inspiration may be, Brett has been thoroughly bitten by the ‘Wine Bug’. He has worked as a cellar intern, harvest intern, tasting room attendant, merchandiser, as well as local, and national sales rep. He has his WSET level 3 certification and is currently pursuing his Diploma.

Working for Massanois Imports, he is given the opportunity to share stories and wines from small family producers who focus on the environment as much as they do the quality of their wine. When not at work, he can be found gardening, running, or drinking - Life is all about balance!

Kyley is 20 year veteran of food & wine industry. She caught the wine bug early on in her career working in restaurants in her hometown of Chicago. After fleeing the Windy City for better weather and more opportunities she moved her family to and LA worked as both a Sommelier and eventually into sales. Production became a raging desire that just wouldn’t go away. After over a decade in LA she decided to pursue her dream of being a winemaker. She now resides in San Diego County and makes juice under her label, Little Sister Wines. Litter Sister's vineyard is up in Ramona, CA.

Kate MacWilliamson, like many reps, has been in the restaurant business for years and years. She now works for the one and only Kermit Lynch. One of the most famous wine import and distribution companies in the world. Kate was part of the very first group of reps assigned to California and is large reason why they have been so successful.

Scott grew up here in San Diego, where he attended Scripps Ranch High School and then continued his education at San Diego State University. He received a degree in business marketing as well as a minor in business management. He grew up playing multiple different sports such as basketball, soccer, baseball, and golf. Now, he likes to stay active by either enjoying a round of golf, pickleball, or softball! He's now in the wine distribution world at 24 years old — go Scott! What a great job to have right out of college.

Greg grew up in Charleston, SC but was born in California’s central coast on the Vandenberg Air Force base. After college, he moved to Vail, CO after famously telling his parents he would go to grad school following a season snowboarding. After his second ski season, he found his way to Vin 48 Restaurant & Wine Bar (which conveniently opened at 5 pm nightly, allowing him to snowboard every day). While at Vin 48 he began his wine studies. In 2016 he successfully completed the Certified Sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Shortly after this accomplishment, he relocated back to the Golden State to San Diego with his girlfriend and their lab-mix, Brigitte (Bree-JEET).

Greg is a 17-year veteran of the restaurant industry. His hobbies include surfing, hiking, and yoga.