Michael Esse - Major Brand Spirits Buyer

Michael has over 20 years of experience in the retail liquor and wine business. He has worked in both the retail and wholesale sides of the industry. His responsibilities include ordering, pricing and selecting major spirit brands. His focus is to find new brands and to bring them in at the most competitive prices. Michael's comment "I want my customers to have the hottest brands, the largest selection and the best prices possible, that's my goal". He is always expanding his knowledge by constantly attending tasting seminars, meeting with master distillers and reading trade publications. Feel free to send him any questions or comments.

Blake Leland - Wine Buyer

Blake's background is mainly composed from 'Fine Dining'. Trained by Michael Lawrence, the former Sommelier for The Valley Hunt Club, in Pasadena Ca., and Bob Burning, former wine buyer for Trader Joe's of 40yrs. gave him a plethora of wine knowledge at French Brasserie in Claremont Ca. He was their bar/beverage manager. The unique thing about this restaurant is that it had a wine shop within. There he developed a complete understanding in articulating wine for retail sales, table side presentations/suggestions, and conducted weekly wine tastings, maintained the wine list, and of course strategic buying techniques. He developed a relationship with Brendan, by trading customers that we're looking for specific wines the other guy didn't have, since both locations were only 4 miles away on the same boulevard. There he went on to be the beverage director for a new up and coming fine dining steak house also in Claremont Ca. After fulfilling his obligation with them he decided to join us.

Patrick Adame - Accessories Buyer

Patrick is responsible for buying all of our wine & spirits accessories. Pat has been with us over seven years. He is an avid beer drinker and is often busy trying many of the new beers we bring in. Patrick loves music and plays the drums in his spare time.

Robert Deguara - Small Brand Spirits and Bar Supplies Buyer

Bob has been in the business for over 10 years. He is responsible for buying all of the small spirit brands we carry mainly from all over Europe. He has a knack for finding brands that no one else can find. He is constantly working with small importers and distributors from all over the world to find the brands that customers want. Bob says " I love the satisfaction of knowing that some one can drink a glass of Lemoncello in Italy and then come back to the states and enjoy that same liqueur here"

Dave Esse - Internet Manager

Dave has been in the wine and spirits industry for over 20 years. He is responsible for keeping all the products and information on our web site up to date. He also puts together the newsletters you receive every week (sign up for them if you don't). He makes sure our staff gets your order out and delivered to your door safe and sound. Dave's goal "Customer satisfaction is number one, without that you have nothing". Dave is happy to answer any questions you may have and will direct them to the correct person if he can't answer them himself.

Katie is responsible for handling all of our customers needs. She is happy to take orders, answer any question or make special delivery arrangements if necessary. She has over 15 years of customer service and order desk experience. She is very familiar with shipping, tracking and national weather patterns to ensure you receive your order timely and in good condition. She also has been known to enjoy a glass of wine or two, so feel free to ask her advice when choosing a gift or a special bottle of wine for your self.

John Solomon - General Manager/Fine Wine Buyer

John has worked in both the retail and wholesale sides of the industry for almost 25 years. As the wine buyer he tastes over 100 wines per week to find the perfect addition to our selection of over 4000 wines. John works closely with all the other buyers to help put together our newsletter that reaches almost 20,000 customers every week. He has written many wine related articles and wine reviews for local newspapers in the southern California area. As General Manager he is responsible for making sure every customer is treated like #1. John oversees all aspects of Liquorama's business, from the spirit buyer to the internet department making sure all aspects of our operation run smoothly. He is constantly attending wine and spirit events to locate the next hot brand and bring it to you our customer first. He has written numerous articles for many trade publications on the retail wine and spirits industry.

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