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.
Jacqueline Coleman is a published wine + travel writer, radio & podcast host, wine judge, & consultant. She is the monthly "Vino" columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper and a weekly guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s radio show, “Food, News, and Views” on WDNA 88.9FM in Miami covering the wine & drinks segment.
Her new podcast, “Wine Uncorked,” is out on all major podcast sites and the Podmany app.
Additionally, Jacqueline is a regular wine judge for the South Florida-based American Fine Wine Competition invitational & THE Rosé Competition as well as the Key Biscayne Wine & Food Festival wine competition.
Jacqueline has earned wine certifications through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wine, International Sommelier Guild (ISG), U.S. Sommelier Association, and FIU Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Wine Program. Her greatest education has been as a result of the many relationships she has made through global wine country travels meeting with producers and others in the industry as a wine journalist.
Previous and ongoing contributions:
o Biscayne Times, Vino Columnist for monthly publication
o Let’s Eat Magazine, Wine Contributor
o South Florida Luxury Guide, Wine Contributor & Luxury Wine Consultant
o Coravin, Company Blog Contributor
o Winetraveler.com Contributor
o History & Wine, Blog Founder
o “The Wine Lifestyle” Wine Newsletter
o “Wine Uncorked” Podcast Host & Creator
o “Food, News, and Views” Weekly Radio Host
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