My life has taken me to some of the most amazing places on the planet. I was born in Germany, raised in Ecuador and moved to California in 2013 and speak fluent English, German & Spanish. Hospitality has been an important part of my life since the early days. My parents had the good fortune to acquire a little hotel in the Galapagos Islands and found a travel agency in Quito in 1994. They are still running and operated by the family after almost 30 years in business. Tourism became my passion and I decided to study hospitality and later Cruise Industry Management in Germany while I was always supporting my family by attending trade shows, visit partners, and even lived in the Galapagos for a few years.
Wine has always had a special place in my heart. In Germany I was able to explore the wine cellar of the Kastens Hotel Luisenhof in Hannover. Later I was in charge of creating the wine list at our Hotel Silberstein in the Galapagos Islands. I still own that “one first bottle” that made me fall in love with wine. It’s a 2006 Anakena ONA from Chile…
When we moved to the beautiful Napa Valley with my wonderful wife Kat, there was only one option for a workplace. It had to be a winery, and not just any. It had to be Cakebread, Kat’s favorite. Soon we made the home of the most amazing Cabernet Sauvignon our home, as well. For the next years I worked at several wineries and I was fortunate to get exposed to and absorb as much knowledge that I could about farming vineyards, growing grapes and making that delicious wine that makes the world a happier and more zen place.
I am very passionate about sharing that knowledge with guests from all over the country and from around the world. I have built a strong network of partners in the community and have visited 100’s of wineries. Whenever friends and guests are planning their trip, I am their first address to refer them to the places I have enjoyed in the past. Whenever I can, I joined along during their visit and became their honorary guide. It has become evident to me that a true Zen experience is seamless, relaxing and a true journey of discovering a new wonderful world. Creating itineraries was a hobby for some time. With Zen Wine Tours I am not only your planner, but organizer, guide and educator along the journey of exploring Napa and the extended Bay Area for wine tours and beyond. I handle all experiences personally, from first contact all the way to waving good bye. I look forward to being a part of your journey in the near future!