"I've been to events around the country. But nothing like euphoria. Nothing that gets you this close to the people creating this awesome food, wine and music."

Suzanne | Rock Hill, SC

2009 Wine

Wayne Belding -

Member of the Court of Master Sommeliers since 1990; Prestigious Krug Cup winner; Owner of “The Wine Merchant” in Boulder, CO

Wayne Belding

Wayne Belding grew up in the mid-Hudson Valley of upstate New York, now, ironically, a burgeoning wine-producing area. After earning a degree in geology from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1972, he moved to Colorado and ultimately found his way into the oil fields of the U.S. as a geologist. Along the way, he became fascinated with wine, and when the energy boom went bust in 1982, used that opportunity to transform his avocation into his vocation.

He began at The Boulder Wine Merchant, a wine specialty shop in Boulder, Colorado. He then became Sommelier at the Heritage Hotel in Denver which, at the time, had a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar. During his tenure at the Heritage, he competed in The 2nd Annual French wine and Spirits Sommelier Competition in America, sponsored by Food and Wines from France, in 1985. He won the Denver Regional Competition and placed seventh in the final competition in New York. The examination experience was stimulating and, when the Court of Master Sommeliers first came to the U.S. in 1987 and the opportunity was presented, he began his pursuit of the Master Sommelier diploma. After passing the basic Certificate course and Advanced Sommelier course, he became the 13th American to pass the demanding Master Sommelier examination at Monterey, California in 1990. In addition to passing the rigorous examination, he also earned the Krug Cup - an award bestowed by Krug Champagne on the person who passes all three parts of the Master Sommelier test at the same examination and attains the highest score of those tested. To the present, only 75 Americans have passed the Master Sommelier examination. He has served as Education Chairman and Chairman for the American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Throughout his years in the wine business, Mr. Belding has been an educator as well. He has taught wine appreciation classes for over twenty years, instructing well over 1000 students in that time. He has been a wine competition judge at the National Restaurant Association Wine Classic in Chicago, The Jefferson Cup, the Colorado State Fair and the California Wine Celebration in Denver. He has also been a featured speaker at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, The Telluride Wine Festival, The Taste of Vail and the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival in Winter Park, Colorado. He has taught professional wine service classes throughout the country and since 1986, he has been an owner of The Boulder Wine Merchant.

Ron Edwards -

Member of the Court of Master Sommeliers since 2005; Five Star Sommelier Service, Charlevoix, MI

Ron Edwards

"I have been shown the importance of serving others all my life. My father is a Minister and has spent his life putting himself second and is one of the happiest men I know. He inspires me. I have found that hospitality and wine give me that same deep joy and so have pursued them with excellence as the goal."

Although Ron graduated from the North Carolina State School of Mechanical Engineering he found that serving in restaurants was more compelling. Instead of following his education he followed his heart and became a manager at Sweet Loraine's Cafe in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This job led to being the General Manager at Five Lakes Grill in Milford, Michigan. It was here that he was inspired by Chef Brian Polcyn's vision of excellence to become a leader in the industry. Through the encouragement of his mentor, Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, Ron began the journey to become a Master Sommelier. In 1997 Ron passed the Introductory Level Sommelier exam and then the Advanced Sommelier exam in 1998. In 2004 he passed the Practical Service portion of the Master Sommelier Exam and in 2005 he passed the Theory & Tasting portions and earned the Master Sommelier diploma. In his journeys Ron has been blessed to be in the presence of greatness and to work for inspiring people. He spent six years as the General Manager/Sommelier of Chef Brian Polcyn's celebrated Five Lakes Grill. Brian Polcyn and his restaurant have been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, Gourmet, Bon Appetite and most recently in the book "The Soul of a Chef" by Michael Ruhlman. Next came Tapawingo and the opportunity to work with more great chefs. They were legendary owner Harlan "Pete" Peterson, Stuart Brioza who was called one the Top 10 Best New Chefs by Food and Wine Magazine, Jean Robert de Caval of Pigalle, Eric Aubriot of Aubriot, Pastry Chef Jacques Torres, James Beard Winner Takashi Yagihashi, local stand-out Dan Flynn and the new culinary leader Jeremy Kittelson formerly of Blackbird in Chicago.Ron is now working to bring all this experience and inspiration to multiple dining rooms, hotels, and interested students through Five Star Sommelier Services.

Laura Williamson -

Member of the Court of Master Sommeliers since 2003; Certified Wine Educator; Co-owner of “Vin Tabla”, Tuscon, AZ

Laura Williamson

Laura Williamson began her formidable career in the service industry at the young age of 18. She grew up in a dry county in Arkansas (her parents still reside there!) and only began to discover the virtues of wine once she moved to Paris, France at the age of 19 for her first two years of college. After exploring wine through service positions at David Paul’s in Lahaina, Maui, Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, John’s Restaurant and Flagstaff House in Boulder, Colorado and Sweet Basil and Wildflower in Vail, Colorado, she was convinced that her talents with wine could lead to a more exciting and fulfilling career than her opportunities with her Financial Planning and Economics degree.

She was encouraged to pursue the Master Sommelier accreditation by her mentors Wayne Belding and Sally Mohr of the Boulder Wine Merchant and achieved this coveted distinction of which only 78 Americans (including just 13 women) had attained prior to her success in 2005. She is currently an active member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, the grading body for aspiring candidates. She also holds the prestigious title of Certified Wine Educator and achieved this feat in 2002 when only approximately 100 others had previously.

Following her accreditation, she began consulting for Small Vineyards Imports, the fastest growing Italian Wine importer in the US for 2006 and 2007 and the only Italian importer to focus exclusively on small-production and hand-harvested fruit with minimal environmental impact. She assists in selecting the portfolio and educating nationally the supplier and distributor staffs on the superior virtues of small, earth-friendly wine production.

She is also a co-owner of VinTabla Restaurant and Wine Shop in Tucson, AZ and simultaneously runs the beverage program for VinTabla as well as doubling as a sommelier for her restaurant. Her wine list proudly showcases over 100 wines from around the world by a ‘taste’ and ‘glass’ pour to enhance the synergy of food and wine pairings with acclaimed Chef Bruce Yim’s diverse New American cuisine. She never tires of customizing flights personally for VinTabla diners and enjoys creating this rare opportunity and experience for her coveted guests.

She can also be found at her newly opened sister restaurant, Dove Mountain Grill, located just outside of Tucson in Marana, AZ.

She lectures nationally to businesses, restaurants and private clients about the wine regions of the world, the techniques involved with pairing food and wine and the art and skill surrounding wine collecting. She also speaks annually at national wine conferences and festivals and is a staunch advocate for artisan wine producers. She passionately travels the globe in search of unknown, exotic wines from eclectic indigenous grapes just to share these rarities with others.

In her spare time, practicing Anusara Yoga and leading yoga and wine workshops takes priority in her life along with supporting local children’s charities.

Michel Brismontier - Michel Brismontier, Director of International Sales, Duval-Leroy
Wine Host: Duval-Leroy Champagne Dinner at The Wine Cafe at Northampton Wines (Saturday, September 19th)

Michel Brismontier

Born “in the middle of vineyards”, baptized with a spoon of champagne (it is a tradition in Champagne), Michel BRISMONTIER arises from wine growers' family since several generations. He is native of a village of the “Vallee de la Marne” where he always lives.

His grandfather creates in the same village, between the two world wars, the first business press centre, where the traders used to come and buy the must.

He was familiar with the vineyards and always worked in the trade. So he practiced both ‘worlds”.

The champagne and the Champagne region are a part of his daily life, and he carries the message worldwide.

Co-worker of Champagne Duval-Leroy for more than 20 years, he attempts more particularly to present and to explain this Family Company in the meetings and the professional circles abroad.

He loves this “sparkling” life.

Euphoria Wines - Click here to see a sampling of the wines that will be poured throughout the weekend.

Euphoria Wines

Arona Sauvignon Blanc
Bernard Machado - La Cantera Pinot Noir - 2005
Ch Trignon Roussanne
Chono - Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 2006
Chono - Reserva Carmenere - 2006
Chono - Reserva Elqui Valley Syrah - 2007
Chono - Reserva Riesling - 2006
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo Bricco Buon Natale
Clendenen Family Vineyards Tocai Friulano Borgo Buon Natale
Cloudline Pinot Gris
Cloudline Pinot Noir
Cucao - Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah - 2006/2008
Cucao - Chardonnay - 2008
Dme Vieux Lazaret Cote Ventoux
Dme Vieux Lazaret Red
Dme Vieux Lazaret White
Drouhin Laforet Pinot
Eagle Eye Muscat Canelli
Eagle Eye Voluptuous
Fess Parker Rodney's Syrah
Fess Parker SBC Chardonnay
Fess Parker SBC Pinot Noir
Fortress Sauvignon Blanc
Fournier Sancerre
Hyatt Cab
Hyatt Riesling
La Chasse Du Pape CDR rouge
Lucas and Lewellen - Santa Barbara Chardonnay - 2006
Lucas and Lewellen - Valley View Cabernet Sauvignon - 2004
Lucas and Lewellen Santa Barbara Pinot Noir - 2006
Magellan Ponant
Maison Champy Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Petit Batard Red Wine - 2005
Pulse Pinot Noir
Queen of Hearts - Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Barbara - 2004
Queen of Hearts - Chardonnay Santa Barbara - 2006
Queen of Hearts - Merlot Santa Barbara - 2005
Queen of Hearts - Pinot Noir Santa Barbara - 2007
Rayun - Cabernet Sauvignon Rose - 2008
Rayun - Sauvignon Blanc - 2008
Rayun - Syrah - 2008
Robin K Cabernet - 2006
Robin K Chardonnay - 2006
Robinson - Reserve Pinot Noir - 2005
Saxon Brown Cricket Creet Semillon - 2007
Saxon Brown Flora Ranch Syrah - 2006
Saxon Brown One Oak Zinfandel - 2007
Schug Pinot Noir Rose
Schug Savignon Blanc
Schug Sonoma Chardonnay
Schug Sonoma Pinot
Sur Bonarda
Sur Cab/Malbec
Sur Torrontes
Tamarack Firehouse Red
Teira Zinfandel
Walnut City - Pinot Gris WV - 2006
Walnut City - Pinot Noir WV - 2007
Walnut City - Reserve Pinot Noir - 2006
Walnut City - Viognier - 2006
Walnut City Essential Viognier
Xtant Red Wine - 2004
Zivo - Quartet - 2005
Zivo - Riesling - 2007