Yesterday, Wine Enthusiast announced online their 40 Under 40 Tastemakers for 2019, and I was proud to see a friend and Virginia winery CEO on the list. Kirk Wiles, CEO and Founder of Paradise Springs Winery located in Clifton, Virginia and now also in Santa Barbara, California is well-deserving of the recognition.

Kirk Wiles, CEO of Paradise Springs in Wine Enthusiast. Image by Ashton Worthington, ashtonography.com.

The Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list recognizes the young winemakers, brewers, beverage directors, grape growers and other movers and shakers who are changing today’s beverage industry.

Kirk has built his winery from the ground up starting in a tiny barn about 45 minutes outside of Washington, D.C. Over the next few years, he expanded the property in Virginia to include a huge tasting barn and event space. Eventually, following a dream, he opened operations in Santa Barbara, California and became the first American bi-coastal winery. Truly an amazing feat!

I can’t wait to see where Kirk goes from here, blazing trails in the wine industry. Proud to say he is a friend and fellow University of Miami alumnus.

Read more about the Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40, and see who made the list!

Photo of the Cover of Wine Enthusiast. Image by Ashton Worthington, ashtonography.com.