Affairs of the Vine, recognized by many as the industry's top
wine education company, originated out of love and passion for
wine. Affairs of the Vine was incorporated in the beginning of
1999 and began conducting seminars that fall, the interactive
workshops and seminars were soon requested by colleges and
culinary institutes across the country. Our staff are
knowledgeable and experienced educators who enthusiastically
share their knowledge and love of wine. The educational events
are designed to be fun, entertaining, and highly informative.
Affairs of the Vine conducts a broad range of corporate wine
events, as well as extensive wine industry training, and
team-building workshops. In the year 2004, Affairs of the Vine
will passionately pour wine for and share information with over
120,000 people. The Affairs of the Vine website www.AffairsoftheVine.com attracts over 1,000,000
visitors per year.
President and founder of Affairs of the Vine, Barbara Drady has always loved wine. Her many years in the wine industry, combined with her "thirst for knowledge" for wine have resulted in her extensive knowledge of wine, winemaking, and wine growing practices. Barbara is the creator of the innovative "Aromatic Seminar" which is the most requested workshop at Affairs of the Vine. Barbara Drady is active in Women for WineSense, serves on the board of the Napa/Sonoma Chapter, and co-chaired "Women in Wine 2000." This event brought women winemakers from all over the country to San Francisco to celebrate and support women in the wine industry. She is also a visiting educator and lecturer to colleges and culinary institutions. She was a featured speaker at the Wine Industry Financial Symposium. Barbara has been recognized by Wine Business Monthly and Bay Area BusinessWoman as one of the leading women in the wine industry.
Ray Johnson, author of The Good Life Guide to Enjoying Wine, has worked professionally with wine for over fifteen years. He shares his energy and enthusiasm about wine as an instructor for the Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Berkeley Extension. He judges wine professionally for the California State Fair and Sonoma County Harvest Fair while serving as Assistant Director of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. He has long been admired for his friendly, down to earth approach to wine. Ray makes his home in Sonoma County's wine country, where he teaches, writes and makes wine. You can meet him in the Wine Studies Program at the Santa Rosa Junior College or email Ray at ray@taste-wine.com