About Vine Connections
The VC Team
Click on our names to learn more!
Vine Connections Argentine Wine and Japanese Sake
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Argentinean Wine Japanese Sake
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Ed Lehrman
Co-founder & Partner
Fun Fact: Ed was voted "Best Pledge" in his college fraternity class. His GPA that semester was not what it could have been.
Favorite Wine: "I can't pick a favorite--they are all like my children. I do like Malbec quite a lot. And Torrontes. And Bonarda..."
Favorite Sake: "They are all like my children too, but I have a particular fondness for Tentaka Silent Stream Junmai Daiginjo!"
Lives: Larkspur, California
Email: ed@vineconnections.com
Nick Ramkowsky
Co-founder & Partner
Fun Fact: "I live where the Elk and the Buffalo roam."
Favorite Wine: Mendel Unus
Favorite Sake: Shrine of the Village
Lives: Jackson, Wyoming
Email: nick@vineconnections.com
Melanie Malosky
Director of Sales
Fun Fact: "My Motto is: What would Rocky
Balboa do?"
Favorite Wine: "It depends on my mood, food, or location but if you must make me pick I guess Mendel or Susana Balbo Malbec"
Favorite Sake: "Also mood induced but my go to is Silent Stream"
Lives: Golden, Colorado
Email: melanie@vineconnections.com
Jonas Carlson
General Manager
Fun Fact: "My favorite personal halloween costume was The Greatest American Hero (which I donned in 1997 - Boston, MA)"
Favorite Wine: Tikal Patriota
Favorite Sake: Fukucho Moon on the Water
Lives: Noe Valley, San Francisco
Email: jonas@vineconnections.com
Lisa Johnson
Director of Marketing
Fun Fact: Lisa came in 1st place in the Mendoza Half Marathon when she was living there a couple years ago.
Favorite Wine: "Crios Torrontes: It's perfect for any time of day and it sure makes cleaning house so much more enjoyable!"
Favorite Sake: "Divine Droplets: Not only do I love its smooth and clean taste, but I also love the fact that Takasago builds an igloo every year just for pressing this sake."
Lives: Sonoma County, California
Email: lisaj@vineconnections.com
Emily Allen
Operations Manager
Fun Fact: "Let's face it, most facts about me are fun."
Favorite Wine: "Tikal Amorio is my current squeeze."
Favorite Sake: "Mantensei Star-Filled Sky"
Lives: San Francisco, California
Email: emily@vineconnections.com
Richard Paleski
Regional Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "I fell off my horse in Mendoza!"
Favorite Wine: Mendel Malbec
Favorite Sake: Chiyonosono-Garden of Eternity
Lives: San Mateo, California
Email: richard@vineconnections.com
Steve Falace
Director of Finance
Fun Fact: 'Farms' his own nine-vine vineyard from which he creates his own Bordeaux-blend, used to be pretty dangerous with a tennis racket in his day, and now enjoys hanging out with his wife, Trina, his son, Stuart and his Schnoodle, "Stan the Man".
Favorite Wine: Luca Malbec
Favorite Sake: Bride of the Fox
Lives: Napa, CA
Email: steve@vineconnections.com
Lisa Romero
Marketing, Accounts Receivable
Fun Fact: Lives on a boat, dabbles in Acupressure and singing.
Favorite Wine: Susana Balbo Malbec
Favorite Sake: Tozai - Living Jewel
Lives: Sausalito, California
Email: lisa@vineconnections.com
Sharyn Alexander
Southwest Regional Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "Love my family, people and having fun. Believe in the philosophy that the glass is half full and life is a beautiful gift. Cooking, eating, drinking everything as long as it's good, travel and the beach."
Favorite Wine: BenMarco Expresivo
Favorite Sake: Divine Droplets
Lives: Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, California
Email: sharyn@vineconnections.com
Morgan Hartman
Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "I love trash TV - Rock of Love, Paris Hilton's New BFF, Charm School, Celebrity Rehab - I'm pathetically hooked!"
Favorite Wine: "Luca Chardonnay - anyone in my territory will tell you that I love this one best!"
Favorite Sake: "More affordable: Root of Innocence, High Dollar: Ancient Pillars"
Lives: Miami, Florida
Email: morgan@vineconnections.com
Robert Krupp
National Accounts Manager
Fun Fact: "Due to color blindness, if I were a superhero, my weakness would be "accessorizing"
and Australian Shiraz would be my Kryptonite."
Favorite Wine: Mendel Malbec
Favorite Sake: Fukucho Moon on the Water
Lives: Denver, Colorado
Email: robert@vineconnections.com
Julie Kinnaird
Field Sales Support Manager
Fun Fact: "I've never lost a limbo contest."
Favorite Wine: "Always in love with Luca Malbec."
Favorite Sake: "Silent Stream, with Shrine of the Village as a close second."
Lives: Fort Collins, Colorado
Email: julie@vineconnections.com
Chad Beverlin
Regional Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "I'm from Iowa."
Favorite Wine: La Posta Pizzella Malbec & Crios Torrontes
Favorite Sake: Takatenjin Shrine of the Village & Ama No To Heaven's Door
Lives: Manhattan, New York
Email: chad@vineconnections.com
Katie Berndt
Marketing Manager
Fun Fact: Katie was on one of the very first episodes of "elimiDATE."
Favorite Wine: "I'm seasonal: in the summer, Luca Chardonnay or Crios Rosé of Malbec. On a cold day, I like Luca Malbec or BenMarco Expresivo"
Favorite Sake: Star-Filled Sky
Lives: Piedmont, California
Email: katie@vineconnections.com
Katie Stile
Marketing & Administrative Coordinator
Fun Fact: "I was a vegetarian for 15 years until the undeniable need for bacon lured me back."
Favorite Wine: "Anything from Luca - yum!"
Favorite Sake: sake2me
Lives: Petaluma, California
Email: katies@vineconnections.com
Carri Calhoun
Administrative Manager, Executive Assistant to Ed Lehrman
Fun Fact: "I'm an original "Napkin" and, given a choice between feeding myself or golf, I'd probably starve!"
Favorite Wine: "BenMarco, Malbec. It makes my mouth happy."
Favorite Sake: saké2Me
Lives: Napa, California
Email: carri@vineconnections.com
Vic Zelinsky
Massachusetts Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "My grandson and I just celebrated our fifth birthdays together. Of course I count Jupiter's orbit around the sun not the earth's orbit around the sun when I determine my age. Oh to be three again"
Favorite Wine: "BenMarco Malbec. A little Bonarda goes a long way."
Favorite Sake: "Rihaku Dreamy Clouds. Cool Nigori."
Lives: Millis, MA
Email: vzelinsky@verizon.net
Karla Petty
Accounts Payable Clerk, Operations Assistant
Fun Fact: "I'm the proudest geek I know! I consider myself a Myst aficionado. It's the ultimate collection for the 'serious' computer gamer. I believe math solves all problems. My next pet will be named Calculus."
Favorite Wine: Anoro Chardonnay. One sip and there's nothing left to say.
Favorite Sake: Tozai "Voices in the Mist" Nigori. It's my tropical getaway.
Lives: Richmond, CA with a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Email: karla@vineconnections.com
Don Weston
Regional Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "I'm a huge dog lover... my best friend and running partner is my chocolate lab, Ronan"
Favorite Wine: Tikal Patriota
Favorite Sake: Mantensei Star-filled Sky
Lives: The Emerald City of Seattle
Email: don@vineconnections.com
Sunny Grosso
Saké2me Regional Sales Manager
Fun Fact: "I met Nick in Mendoza with Laura Catena some 6 years before I became part of the VC team"
Favorite Wine: Mendel Unus
Favorite Sake: Yuzu Citrus saké2me and Ancient Pillars
Lives: San Francisco, CA
Email: sunny@sake2me.com
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