Our People
"It takes a dedicated team to make it work."
Sales & Marketing:
Rich Richardson
Vice President, Director of Sales & Marketing
Rich W. Richardson, joined the JUSTIN family of wines as Director of Sales & Marketing on June 1st, 1999. Rich is a California native who, prior to working for JUSTIN Winery performed various sales responsibilities for the Robert Mondavi Winery for 14 years. During the last seven years of his career with Mondavi, he was Western Regional Sales Manager for Opus One winery.
Here, at JUSTIN he is responsible for all sales and marketing activities that include working with JUSTIN's marketing company, The San Francisco Wine Exchange and Vin-de-Cal International for all export markets. In addition Rich manages and oversees the California market, which is handled directly by JUSTIN's Regional Sales Manager, Steve Lister. Rich's extensive history, experience and contacts within the wine industry has helped evolve the JUSTIN brand nationally and internationally. His peers and his superiors respect him equally.
To reach Rich Richardson , richrichardson@JUSTINwine.com
Joseph Spellman
Master Sommelier
Joseph Spellman, MS is Winery Sommelier for JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery. He has worked with wine since 1979, principally as a sommelier, in Chicago’s top restaurant cellars, including Tango, Maxim’s, The Pump Room, The Park Hyatt Hotel, and Charlie Trotter’s. He has also had stints in wine retail, wholesale, and importing companies, as well as the Napa Valley producer Joseph Phelps. He has been a leading wine educator, writer, and consultant, and has led wine seminars in the US, UK, Japan, and Australia.
Joseph earned the prestigious Master Sommelier Diploma in 1996, held now by 85 Americans, and 140 individuals worldwide. He is a frequent instructor and examiner in the Court of Master Sommeliers, and in 2005 was elected Chairman of the American Chapter of the Court. He has also passed the difficult Certified Wine Educator Examination, in 2003, and has studied for the Master of Wine Diploma with its top instructors.
Another rare achievement was winning the 1997 French Sommelier Competition in Paris sponsored by SOPEXA, and the title “Best Sommelier in the World in French Wines and Spirits.” He is only the second American to have done so. In the following year (1998) he was named the Bon Appetit Wine & Spirits Professional of the Year.
Joseph is a major supporter of the arts, serving as an active member in the Lyric Opera Wine Auction Advisory Board. He has led seminars for the Chicago Humanities Festival, various educational and health-oriented charities, and numerous student groups. His donations of tastings for arts, education, and medical charities have consistently fetched high bids for these deserving organizations. A theatre lover, he consulted in 2003 on an original script by Sharon Evans, “Blind Tasting,” at Live Bait Theatre in Chicago.
Among his professional written works, he is most proud of his critically praised wine notes featured in the landmark series of recipe and photography books by Chef Charlie Trotter. He was the principal wine writer of the 2003 Lyric Opera Auction Catalogue, and will again contribute to the 2006 edition. He also has written grape descriptions for the Wine Grapes posters produced by Ten Speed Press; and over the years he has contributed to the magazines Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Santé, Decanter, and Appellation.
As a professional palate, he has tasted for Beverage Testing Institute, United Airlines, the Grand Jury Européen, the Oregon State Fair, StarWine, the Jefferson Cup, and the Detroit Wine Competition. He has coordinated several wine dinners for the James Beard Foundation and many of its chef-contributors, as well as promotional and charity wine dinners around the US. He has spoken at wine festivals in Aspen, Cincinnati, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Santa Fe, Taos, Telluride, San Diego, Carmel, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Pinehurst, the Mohegan Sun, Disney properties, and Chicago.
Other interests include film, fiction, photography, baseball, and beer.
To reach Joseph Spellman, joseph@JUSTINwine.com
Steve Lister
Regional Sales Manager
Steve Lister joined the JUSTIN family of wines on Sept. 1st, 1999. Steve is a native of California. Prior to working for JUSTIN Winery, he worked for Beringer Wine Estates and The Chalone Wine Group. Justin first met Steve while working in Santa Barbara. At that time he was working for three distributors representing several high profile wineries including JUSTIN.
Here at JUSTIN Steve calls on several different markets including California, Florida, Texas and Northern Nevada. His primary responsibility is sales and marketing, he works closely with our wholesalers directly in California and with San Francisco Wine Exchange sales representatives in his other markets. He travels extensively promoting new releases and working with sales representatives in each of his markets.
In addition to our distributors, Steve works closely with Rich Richardson, Director of Sales & Marketing, Tracy Bentson, Sales & Marketing Coordinator and Trina Perotti, Administrative & Marketing Assistant. Rich's knowledge and leadership has helped Steve grow within his professional and personal life. Tracy's & Trina's diligence and attention to detail keep both Steve and Rich grounded while traveling.
The entire sales and marketing team feel that education is the most successful approach to selling JUSTIN wines. All of us here at JUSTIN Winery are proud of our wines and want to share them with you. In fact, we have gone as far as to open our own restaurant, Deborah's Room where our executive chef prepares a different menu every evening; a four course dinner featuring only the finest local ingredients while each course is paired with a different handcrafted wine from our estate vineyard.
If you would like information on where to purchase JUSTIN wines in your area contact Steve, he can recommend several locations, stevelister@JUSTINwine.com. Or you can order them online at jws1@JUSTINwine.com or call 805-238-6932 ext. 132.
To reach Steve Lister, stevelister@JUSTINwine.com
April Sutton
Consumer Sales Manager
April Sutton joined JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery in February 2001 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Marketing and minor in Wine & Viticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She started serving in their fine dining room-Deborah's Room, assisting the Innkeeper at their intimate country inn-The JUST Inn and helped with duties involving their wine club-the JUSTIN Wine Society, one of the largest and most successful wine clubs in the United States. Her personable character charmed guests whether they visited the Inn or Tasting Room. After working in the Tasting Room for two years, April moved on to the Sales & Marketing department where she assisted their National Sales Director and their Western Regional Sales Manager.
In 2005, April was appointed Retail Sales Manager at JUSTIN and in 2008, she was appointed Consumer Sales Manager. April supervises all aspects of the JUSTIN wine club, tasting room and tour program. The Tasting Room, Wine Society Lounge, and Tour Manager report to her and together they create on-going, unique and exciting programs.
If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding your experience with JUSTIN wines or the JUSTIN Wine Society please contact her at april@JUSTINwine.com.
To reach April Sutton, april@JUSTINwine.com
Tracy Bentson
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Tracy joined JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery on August 14, 2007 after spending 3 years on the east coast and 5 years working as a management consultant and marketing research analyst with Booz Allen Hamilton. In this position, Tracy coordinated the marketing efforts for Booz Allen’s Aerospace & Defense team including developing marketing collateral, tracking sales and account performance, and planning marketing meetings and strategy sessions. She also participated in various consulting engagements where she worked with clients in program management, market strategy, acquisition due diligence, and supply chain management. Additionally, Tracy was the co-chair of the communications committee for Booz Allen’s Junior Exempt Employee Forum where she co-founded a newsletter distributed to 1600 employees. Tracy was also an active member of the Washington D.C. Chapter of the American Marketing Association where she helped plan the organization’s M-Awards in 2005 and 2006.
A California native and graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Tracy is excited to be back on California’s central coast and working in beautiful Paso Robles. Here at JUSTIN, Tracy works closely with all the members of the sales & marketing department which keeps her busy and challenged. Her focus is on the wholesaler side throughout the United States and through exporting. If you are in search of more information regarding JUSTIN wines or any marketing material, please contact her at tracy@JUSTINwine.com.
To reach Tracy Bentson, tracy@JUSTINwine.com
Trina Perotti
Administrative / Marketing Assistant
To reach Trina Perotti, Trina@JUSTINwine.com
Seth Engel
Tasting Room Manager
Seth was born in Encinitas, CA and raised in Cambria, California. He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo majoring in Agribusiness, with a minor in Wine & Viticulture. Three years of immersion in the local wine industry, and a passion for wine led Seth to JUSTIN Winery in September of 2003. Beginning in Deborah's Room, Seth provided wine knowledge and first class service to its valuable patrons. In addition, Seth provided exceptional service at banquets and as wine steward at special events. From there Seth moved into the tasting room where his personable service and professionalism came naturally, and his appreciation for the winery became apparent. In addition to managing the tasting room, Seth also provides insightful tours of the winery facility, exploring the process of making our fabulous wines. With a thirst for knowledge Seth has continued his education, delving into the realms of the cheese world. Now providing exceptional knowledge on cheeses from around the world and hosting cheese and wine pairing seminars biannually. Visit Seth in the JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room for a first hand look into the JUSTIN Portfolio and experience world class wines. Seth@JUSTINwine.com.
To reach Seth Engel, Seth@JUSTINwine.com
Bruce Cooper
Assistant Tasting Room Manager
Bruce Cooper, a native 'Michigander', graduated from Western Michigan University and moved to Irvine California where he resided for twenty six years. Bruce was very active in the entertainment industry, performing, recording and touring with his swing vocal jazz group 'Vocalworks' for over two decades. Though music brought him to California, his other passion...wine, eventually led him to Bristol Farms in Newport Beach where he was a Wine Specialist for nearly seven years. Believing that working for a winery would be a dream job for any wine professional, he moved to Paso Robles and joined us here at team JUSTIN in April of 2005! He has made many new friends here and loves the natural beauty and diversity of this gorgeous land he now calls home. Bruce@JUSTINwine.com.
To reach Bruce Cooper, Bruce@JUSTINwine.com
Eric Gray
Retail Sales Coordinator
Eric joined JUSTIN in March of 2006 and has over five years of experience working in the Paso Robles wine region for several different wineries. In that time he has worked in production, wholesale, hospitality, and sales & marketing. He is very knowledgeable of the amenities that Paso Robles has to offer visitors and is an avid amateur beer and wine maker. He is also an Eagle Scout, Camp Oljato Solo Hiker, Resident Assistant of the Year 2003 Francisco Torres (UCSB), and recipient of the Damien Siler Award.
To reach Eric Gray, Eric@JUSTINwine.com
Erin Hoffman
Wine Society Coordinator
Erin Hoffman joined JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery in July 2006. She is originally from Wyoming but happily traded the snowy peaks of Jackson, WY for the Mediterranean climate of Paso Robles. Erin brings with her an extensive experience in customer service training. As Wine Society Coordinator Erin’s top goal to make sure all Wine Society members receive world class service.
To reach Erin Hoffman, jws1@JUSTINwine.com
Rebecca Howald
Wine Society Assistant Manager
Rebecca Howald joined the Justin Wine Society team in 2005. She attended Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo where she studied Environmental Horticulture Science. The Wine Industry in Paso Robles is a great fit for her background and customer service oriented job experience. Rebecca works with the Wine Society team to manage shipments, orders, events and memberships. She enjoys talking to Wine Society members, and sharing in the love of Justin Wines. When not focused on Justin wines, she enjoys exploring the rest of the Paso Robles wine country and the surrounding central California coast.
To reach Rebecca Howald, winesociety@JUSTINwine.com
Kimberly Savage
Wine Society
Kimberly Savage is a native of Paso Robles and alumni of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Good things come in twos in the Savage family - she and her husband Darren have two children, Brittany and Brent, two cats, Cloe and Spaz, and two dogs, Lexi and Tasha. Prior to JUSTIN, Kimberly spent twenty-two years working in retail, which makes her an excellent addition to our Wine Society team.
To reach Kimberly Savage, wineclub@JUSTINwine.com
Sara Lutsko
Tasting Room & Merchandise Buyer
To reach Sara Lutsko, sara@JUSTINwine.com
Maggie Cameron
Tasting Room / Wine Society Lounge
Maggie Cameron joined JUSTIN in the late fall of 2007. She previously held a dining room manager position with The Capital Grille in Boston, MA, and moved to Paso
To reach Maggie Cameron, maggie@JUSTINwine.com
Mike Kamer
Tasting Room / Tours
Mike received his BA of philosophy in the summer of ’07 from UNLV. He then relocated to Paso
To reach Mike Kamer, mike@JUSTINwine.com
Chris Jahns
Tasting Room / Tours
To reach Chris Jahns, chris@JUSTINwine.com