SHARI GHERMAN
Shari Gherman has been involved in the wine business for over 35 years. Her experiences in virtually every part of marketing, distribution, supply, and advertising have combined to form a unique background and the basis for her company, The American Fine Wine Competition.
Almost 17 years ago Gherman co-founded the AFWC with two friends, Monty & Sara Preiser, who are also Vintners. The AFWC is the only competition in the country that limits its entries to “premium level” American produced wines only- and which must be invited to participate. The media and winery buzz over this competition has garnered press from around the nation and interest from notables such as Robert Parker Jr.
The AFWC recently added two competitions to its repertoire, All Americas, which accepts all wines from Canada to Argentina, and THE Rose Competition, which accepts Rose wines from anywhere in the world. All are based on Gherman’s passion for wine. Gherman has melded her love for wine with her drive to give back to the community. In the last 16 years, through AFWC events, she has raised more than $1.1 million for a variety of charities.
Earlier in her career, Gherman worked in the publishing industry, which earned her a tremendous amount of experience in marketing. She worked with wineries, suppliers, and distributors and this experience helped her learn both the technical and logistic arm of the wine business. Working with distributors rounded that education with knowledge of distribution and related concerns. It also gave her a first-hand look at commercial customers, how they think and more importantly why they purchase certain brands over others.
Gherman has sat on wine judging panels, participated in hundreds of formal and informal industry tastings. She is a Sommelier and has traveled extensively throughout the USA to search out new wineries and products. She has also toured the wine regions of Italy, France and South Africa. Her palate “is one of the best I’ve ever seen” according to Fred Tasker, former wine writer for the Miami Herald.
However, what really makes Gherman different is her combination of advertising and promotional expertise that complements her wine knowledge. Gherman worked more than 15 years in advertising. Gherman was the brainchild and developer of the wine section for the iconic Ocean Drive magazine.
Passion, expertise and drive separate Shari from the pack. Her skill set of wine and marketing knowledge have been the basis for her outstanding successes. It is this combination that will continue to help Gherman, and those associated with her, to move forward into the ever-changing wine industry.
WENDY ROSANO
Wendy Rosano has over 25 years in the restaurant business. From her roots in New York, she has owned and operated over half a dozen restaurants and was directly responsible for the wine list in each establishment. She has received honorable mention for her wine lists. Wendy also currently works as a consultant for the hospitality industry. She holds her intermediate certification in wine and spirits from WSET (The Wine and Spirit Education Trust of London) and has participated in hundreds of formal and informal industry tastings.
She is currently operating Terra Fiamma at the Delray Marketplace and is responsible for the wine program which currently offers more than 40 wines by the glass.
ROBERTO COLOMBI
Roberto grew up in northern Italy, where he studied Hotellerie School and started his career in the Wine & Restaurants industry. In 2002, he joined the staff at the 2 Michelin Star Ristorante Gualtiero Marchesi. Roberto moved to England in late 2003 to work for Gordon Ramsay at the Connaught Hotel in London. He completed the WSET Level 2 and started the Court of Master Sommelier in 2006. In 2007, Roberto moved to Florida as part of the opening team of Gordon Ramsay’s new venture, Cielo at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. In 2008, Roberto was awarded Rising Star Sommelier of South Florida by Starchefs.com. In 2010 he joined Michela Larson and from 2014 to 2020 Roberto had the role of General Manager of The Blue Restaurant. While under Michela Larson he completed the Certificate level of the Court of Master Sommelier, the WSET Level 3, the French Wine Scholar and the Spanish Wine Scholar with the Wine Scholar Guild. Today Roberto is working with his wife and Chef, Christie Tenaud on the opening of their first Restaurant “Union Kitchen & Bar”.
JEN SCHMITT
Jen has been working in the hospitality industry for many years now in various styles of service and positions. She served as Wine Director/ Sommelier at Everest Restaurant in the Greater Chicago area from 2012 – 2016. She is currently the Head Sommelier at Zuma in Miami, an international company with a Japanese focus. ZUMA is a benchmark in Miami and around the world for food, service, and beverage. The beverage program created by Jen is neither selfish nor stale, but a thoughtful layering of business relationships and passion for this craft.
DELIUS SHIRLEY
Delius Shirley, proprietor of the former restaurant, Ortanique in Miami and the Cayman Islands, has been a restaurateur and consultant for more than 20 years, consistently collecting accolades from his peers for his ability to create wine lists of distinction nationwide. He is driven by a passion for an evolving wine industry and its opportunity for education. He is also the F&B Director at the Dunmore Beach Hotel, Harbour Island, Bahamas; and most recently became the General Manger of Cerveceria La Tropical in Wynwood.
TODD LIND
Todd Lind has been a wine collector for 38 years, specializing in wines from France, Australia, California, Washington State and Oregon. Over the past seven years, Todd has been a consulting Wine Advisor for many local retailers and has been instrumental in advising what luxury brands to bring into their stores. Currently, Todd is the Brand Promoter for some prominent wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma County.