Shawn Dore, AIWS, has a down-to-earth approach to wine. Shawn is often quoted as saying, "my wine philosophy is simple, drink what you enjoy". "Wine should be an enjoyable experience, my seminars are designed to be fun and educate rather then intimidate."

Shawn is a graduate of the internationally recognized, Diploma in Wine & Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, United Kingdom. She gained Sommelier certification with the Sommelier Guild of Canada.

Presently, Shawn is a National Education Director with The Charmer Sunbelt Group. In this role she assists in development of multi level, multi media, wine, spirit and beer educational programs to be utilized in the 17 markets the Charmer Sunbelt Group distributes alcohol beverages.

Previously, Shawn was Director of Wine for the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, NJ. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the multi-million dollar wine program at the Borgata, she also championed Borgata to recent accolades such as; Wine Spectators Best of Award of Excellence for Specchio at the Borgata, plus retaining Wine Spectators Award of Excellence for Ombra, Suilan and Old Homestead; a Sante Award and the Cheers Magazine Best Overall Beverage Program award. As well, she was the key component of the inaugural Borgata wine event ‘Women in Wine’ raising over $70,000.00 for Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Further, with Shawn as Wine Director, Borgata hosted the very successful Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour event and Cigar Aficionado.

Among Shawn’s wine career accomplishments she developed and operated Sommelier Services Inc., a wine consultant service that offered education and expert guidance to large restaurant groups and private individuals in wine list and cellar management and menu pairing.

Prior to forming Sommelier Services, Shawn was the Sommelier for such noted Wine Spectator award winning Toronto restaurants as Café Brussels, Chiaro’s and Accolade.

Shawn is a regular invited guest sommelier at such world class wine and food events such as Wine Spectator’s Wine Experience, Master’s of Food & Wine, La Paulee and World of Pinot Noir. She is thought of as a leading wine educator and is frequently invited to be a guest speaker at many wine events and dinners internationally. Some of her other professional activities have included wine judging, panel tastings and analysis.

“LET’S TALK VINO” with Shawn Dore
Fun Informative Sessions at the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival

TASTE LIKE A PRO:
THE SENSORY DISCOVERY OF WINE, AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3
This tasting is a fun exploration of your sensory ability to taste wine like a Pro. We will taste through the individual components of wine and taste 4 delicious wines.
There is a message in each bottle of wine that your senses are waiting to discover.

"RED HOT & DELICIOUS":
WINES OF CHILE & ARGENTINA
Join us on a discovery of the marvels of the soaring Andes Mountains with the delicious wines of Chile & Argentina. From Red Hot Malbec to sumptuous Torrontes, these wines will quench your thirst with their extraordinary quality while not emptying your wallet.

In former lives, John ran shopping center's
and regional malls, was a radio station
manager and owned his own ad agency....
then he discovered wine.

Today, John McNulty's motto is "Eat well, drink better!" For more than 18 years, as a wine educator and then radio talk show host he’s been exhorting his listeners to do just that. His radio show, "On the Town with John McNulty," was heard Saturday afternoons for more than 7 years on Philadelphia radio.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine (May 2000 issue) rated the show higher than any program aired outside the San Francisco Bay area (wine country).

McNulty can be found in the classroom at Temple University's School of Tourism and Hospitality, where he is an adjunct faculty member. He is also the Delaware Valley's leading wine educator, teaching courses regularly at Temple University's Center City. A collector and wine enthusiast for more than 25 years, McNulty has published articles in The Wine News and numerous local publications and periodicals. In addition, he writes for numerous websites, including his own: www.eatwelldrinkbetter.com.

McNulty is co-owner of CorkScrewed of Cherry Hill, a wine specialty store and launched a National Franchise wine concept in 2004, Vino 100, as Vice President & Director of wine. The retailer now has over 50 stores in 24 states. 

He is the founding director of the Wine Club and the Academy of Hospitality, the Philadelphia area's longest running food and wine tasting organization and a school for professional wait-staff training. Clive Coates, MW has noted John in two of his books Grands Vins and Cote D'Or for tastings conducted by McNulty in the Philadelphia area on Chateau Cheval Blanc and the wines of Henri Jayer.

McNulty resides in Moorestown, NJ with his wife, Becky who is also in the wine trade and Becky’s 3 children ages 11 (Caroline) 10 (Rhys) and 7 (Sam) plus a Keeshound (Semillon) and a Orange Tabby cat (Tokaji).

“Eat Well, Drink Better” with John McNulty
At the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival

INTRODUCTION TO WINE APPRECIATION
If all you know is red, white, pink, and bubbly—this is the wine seminar for you. Learn how to maximize the pleasure and minimize the worries with this unstuffy, fun approach to the fruits of the vine.

CLASSIC WINES OF FRANCE
Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, and Rhone…Rouge et Blanc, Sec, and Demi Sec—all will be revealed and deciphered for the Gallic-ly challenged.

PRONTO ITALIA
Tuscany, Piemonte, Veneto, and Sicilia. Learn the different grape varieties and wines that go with America's favorite cuisine—Italian. A secret rule will be revealed that always works!

Ann Thrupp is the Director of Sustinability at Fetzer Vineyards. In this capacity, she undertakes outreach and educational events about organic and sustainable farming practices for growers and the broader community. She is also heavily involved in the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and promotion of sustainable practices in all aspects of the wine industry.  

Previously, Ann worked with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Agriculture Initiative, managing partnerships and a grant program for  growers and agricultural organizations involved in sustainable agriculture and pest management. She also has been a consultant in sustainable agriculture for Robert Mondavi Winery and for several other organizations and companies.

Ann has many years of experience in international agriculture education, research and policy analysis. From 1990-1998, she was Director of Sustainable Agriculture at the World Resources Institute.  

Ann has a PhD from Sussex University and a BA from Stanford University. She has over 70 publications, and is a graduate of the California Agriculture Leadership Program. She’s an avid runner, hiker, roller-blader, and gardener.      

Davinia’s passion for single malt scotch developed at the early age of five when her Grandfather would give her a drop of whisky   as a sleeping aid or cold remedy.  To this day Davinia continues to administer the same remedy to herself.

After gaining a BA Honours degree in Marketing from London Davinia moved into sales and soon became the Business Development Manager for Glenmorangie in London.  During this role she spent time working alongside the 16 men of Tain at the Glenmorangie distillery and developed an understanding and further interest in the production process of Scotch.

In November 2004 Davinia moved to Chicago to become the USA Brand Ambassador responsible for educating the nation on the wonders of single malt scotch!

Davinia has just moved to New York to begin her new role as USA Business Manager for Ardbeg, the peatiest single malt scotch in the world!

“Single Malt Scotch Demo” with Davinia Small
At the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival

TO PEAT, OR NOT TO PEAT
An introduction to the world of single malt scotches. Seminar will include a tasting of the range of Ardbeg and products from the Glenmorangie line.

The founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia, Keith is a rare breed on the east coast: a full time wine guru. As such, his curriculum vitae is getting quite hefty.

Along with teaching at the school, he continues to work as a consultant for an Italian winery, a lecturer for two major universities, and as a popular wine & food writer.

Keith's interviews have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek: SmallBiz, BonAppetit Magazine, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. On television, he has appeared nationally on The Learning Channel, and regionally on both Fox and CBS.

Whether on stage or in front of thecamera, his charismatically goofy persona puts his achievements in the proper light "I love my job ," he says "I drink for a living, for [edit]'s sake.

David is a cum laude graduate from the University of Rochester, He graduated in 1995 with a BA in Russian Studies and Political Science. He lived and worked in Moscow, Russia from 1995-2000.

David returned to the United States with a heightened passion for all things Russian, a new interest in brands and an entrepreneurial drive. Aware of the luxury vodka explosion and the rise of the cocktail culture, David sought to find an able entrant from Russia and facilitate the brand’s entrance. He gave up this goal citing poor quality controls, unreliable partners, inferior packaging and unpronounceable names. He decided to introduce his own brand.

David returned to Russia to better understand the art of crafting vodka and has visited more than thirty factories. He hired a top NY branding agency to identify the opportunity for luxury vodka, understand the consumer and design a concept, package and strategy for the brand. ZYR, pronounced “zeer” a derivation of “Zyrkalo Mira,” or Reflection of the World was chosen to reflect a more modern Russia.

ZYR was launched in late 2002 in NY and is now selling in 8 states. ZYR has received the highest reviews possible from every major reviewer in the US, including a perfect score in Wine Enthusiast and the current winner of the San Francisco World Spirit Competition (Double Gold and Top Vodka of Show). ZYR can be found in many of the nicest restaurants, bars and stores in NY, NJ, CT, MD, MA, RI, PA and FL and in select spots in Las Vegas.

Symphony Importers, his company, is based in Manhattan.

David lives in Miami, Florida but works in each market with his twelve Regional Directors.

“VODKA 101 ” with David Katz
Fun Informative Sessions at the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival

VODKA 101 :
VODKA FOR DUMMIES
Presented by the founder of Zyr Russian Vodka. A NJ native who lived in Moscow from 1995-2000 and has won every major vodka review in the country…