About Vince the Wine Guy

Born and raised in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley I have been actively participating in Southern California’s wine business for over 30 years. From tasting rooms, to the former proprietorship of Santa Anita Wine and Spirits in Arcadia, California, I have experience on both the retail and wholesale side of the wine business.

My passion for wine can be attributed to three very special people in my life. First my Nana, who always made me feel like such a grown up at family dinners when I was given a small shot glass with a splash of wine that the adults were drinking. Second to my Uncle Nick, who over an afternoon luncheon at Santa Monica’s Miramar Hotel, introduced me to Beaulieu Vineyard's Riesling. And finally Mr. Robert Lawrence Balzer, who had been both my mentor and teacher throughout the many classes on wine he taught at Lawry’s California Center in Los Angeles. Robert passed away December 12, 2011, at the age of 99. If it wasn't for him my interest and love of wine would not be what it is today. Thanks, Bob.

As a wine columnist for the past 15 years, I have written for a variety of publications including local area newspapers. I am a member of Anthony Dias Blue’s The Tasting Panel and have done wine judging for the Orange County Home Wine Makers as well as the Italian Wine and Food Institute.  My former customer Melinda Lee, radio hostess of Food News with Melinda Lee, has called me her wine guru regularly quoting my advice throughout her radio programs. My most recent writings include authoring a booklet titled, Cooking With Wine.
 
Keeping abreast of the current trends in wine and attending many wine and industry tasting functions is a passion of mine. With any time that may be left over, I write for my blog and website, and am compiling my collection of wine columns into a book. When I’m not drinking wine or thinking about wine, I continue to do some free lance writing, and I am an active member of The Magic Castle in Hollywood. 

Ciao,
Vince