2025 Talent

Sommelier
Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. She has worked at New York's Eleven Madison Park, Nashville's The Catbird Seat, Chicago's The Violet Hour, and most recently as the wine director at Attica, one of Australia's most celebrated restaurants. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane’s second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), published in September 2023.

Sommelier
Jonathan Ross is a New Jersey-born wine professional who spent most of his career working in the New York restaurant industry. Jon’s time in New York was capped off by a 5-year stint as the head sommelier at Eleven Madison Park, which culminated in the restaurant’s rise to the top spot on the San Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurant List.

Founder
“All of my memories of drinking rosé are happy ones... sunny patios, poolside afternoons with friends, vacations. It’s almost impossible to conjure an unhappy rosé moment!” says Casey Barber, founder of ROSE GOLD rosé. She fell in love with the classic dry pink style in Provence in her early twenties—well before rosé took off in the U.S. A little over a decade later, she launched her own brand, partnering with a producer in Provence to craft a wine that transports you to the South of France with every sip—at an approachable price. The 2024 vintage marks her eighth, now joined by esteemed wine partner Lia Banville of Banville Wine Merchants.

Sommelier
From perfectly brewed cups to impeccably poured glasses, Troy Bowen has always been passionate about crafting the perfect experience. At his wine bar, Noble Riot in Denver, Colorado, you'll find an atmosphere as captivating as a well-acted scene and wines as complex and intriguing as the best coffee beans.

Owner
Jason Haas is the second-generation proprietor of Tablas Creek, serving in the dual roles of Partner and General Manager and directing operations there for two decades.

In addition to his work at Tablas Creek, Jason has led the boards of directors of both the Rhone Rangers and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and is a board member of Free the Grapes and WineAmerica. He is principal author of the Tablas Creek blog, and his writing has been published in Wine Business Monthly, Wines & Vines, Decanter, Wine Industry Network and Wine Searcher.

Sommelier
CEO of Samantha Sommelier and Samantha Sommelier Wine Club! Sam is also the co founder of her wine label Faff Wine Co. Sam is a “no snob somm” who has extensive knowledge of wine and is a certified sommelier through the court of master sommeliers. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Oprah Magazine, E-News, Popsugar, and more. With all her success, Sam is still the most down-to-earth, honest, and friendly “Wine Influencer” you will ever meet.

Sommelier
Charlie Humphreys is a Colorado-based wine professional who has dedicated his 20+ year career to educating people about fine wine. Whether it be with a guitar or a bottle of Burgundy, the goal is always a humble embrace of the joy of life, one shared with friends old and new.

Chef
Chef Brother Luck is a highly regarded restaurateur from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who has made a name for himself in the culinary world. He has been nominated for a James Beard award and is a popular figure on cooking shows such as Top Chef, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay. 

Brother has also been featured in numerous publications, including Food and Wine Magazine and The New York Times, and has appeared on national TV programs like The Rachael Ray Show and the Today Show. 

And yes, that’s his real name.

Chef
With a passion for learning and a hunger for creativity, Chef Ashley Brown continues to break glass ceilings in the culinary world. A dedicated mother and wife, she’s been a staple in the Colorado Springs food scene for over seven years, honing her craft at top spots like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Lucky Dumpling, and Four by Brother Luck.

Most recently, she showcased her skills on Chopped, proving her talent on a national stage. Whether she’s crafting bold flavors or pushing culinary boundaries, Chef Ashley’s dedication is undeniable. Be sure to give your compliments to the chef—you won’t want to miss what she’s cooking up next!

Proprietor
Meet Aaron Tomcak, the easygoing proprietor of Mountain Spirits Liquors, whose journey into the world of wine began when he took ownership of his liquor store in 2004. Since then, Aaron's path has been filled with exploration and tastings, affording him the opportunity to refine his palate and delve into the diverse realm of varietals and wine styles.

Wine Professional
With a heart both deeply in love with the Mountain West and the expansive category of Old World wines, Lucas has been on a journeyman adventure in the wine trade for over 15 years. Most recently, a kindling interest in indigenous Italian grape varieties has erupted into a full-blown passion for experiencing these cultural treasures of the Mediterranean.

Winemaker
Alex Banville's passion for wine was ignited at a young age, inspired by his mother and grandfather. Spending his summers at Tolaini, his family's estate in Chianti Classico, Alex immersed himself in every aspect of the winery starting at the age of 13 years old from working in the vineyards and cellar to assisting in sales at numerous events. In December 2022, Alex relocated to New York to join the Banville Wine Merchants team. Holding a WSET 3 certification, Alex is currently pursuing his WSET Diploma. Alex earned the coveted Vinitaly Italian Wine Ambassador certification in March of 2024.

Somm of Spirits

As the Somm of Spirits, Glenn is a beverage pro based in Colorado with ample experience in running restaurants and bars, plus product development, sales, and placement. He has advanced training in spirits and cocktails, especially anything agave-related—from growing the plants to packaging the final product.

Founder
Tim Adams is the founder of Oxbow Brewing Company, a Maine-based brewery that specializes in farmhouse ales and lagers. Since its founding in 2011, Oxbow has garnered international attention for their wide range of beers that are produced using a variety of techniques including barrel and stainless aging, as well as traditional spontaneous fermentation. Fruited beers are of particular note in the brewery’s portfolio, with many of the offerings more closely resembling wine than beer.

Founders
Husband and wife duo, they are the founders of Wölfe Cutlery. Wölfe Cutlery was designed with the home chef in mind, from the weight and balance to the artistic handle design. They now travel the country sponsoring various food and wine events and teaching knife skills classes.

Herbalist
The creative force behind Superbloom Herbals, transforms her lifelong passion for plants into a flourishing tea-making venture. With over a decade of experience in herbalism and a Master Clinical Herbalist Certification,Amanda crafts herbal teas that capture the essence of her botanical adventures, fulfilling her dream and delighting tea enthusiasts everywhere.

Chef
Chef Michael Diaz de Leon is a first generation Mexican-American born on the border of México and the United States in the culturally rich city of El Paso, Texas. He has spent most of his life in the duality that exists in being raised in a border town and has always had an affinity for connection and community through food. In 2023, Chef was also a James Beard Foundation Finalist for Best Chef Mountain States and was the recipient of the Michelin Guides Green Star and 1 Star.

Sommelier
Colorado native, world traveler, suit enthusiast, and sommelier. Tre Gerbitz spent over twenty years working in some of the most demanding and diverse restaurants in America. Since last year's CB+WFF, Tre's been to Italy twice, and made the leap from being Sommelier at Tavernetta (Frasca Hospitality Group's concept at Union Station), into a specialist role with Synergy Fine Wines.

Brewing Quality Expert
With over eight years of experience in the brewing industry, Jordan has dedicated his career to ensuring excellence in every pint. Specializing in quality control and brewing science, he has worked across multiple facets of the industry, from refining production processes to implementing rigorous quality assurance programs. Passionate about education and innovation, Jordan enjoys sharing insights on the science behind brewing, helping to elevate industry standards and consumer appreciation alike.

Sales Representative
Born and raised in Colorado, Danny is a fly fishing and golfing enthusiast; and of course, craft beer! Having started with Crooked Stave early in its inception, as their original beertender, he worked his way through all Production departments, Head Brewer, and now is serving as their Colorado Sales Representative. Truly a jack-of-all-trades, Danny is always excited to cheers a beer, and talk anything Crooked Stave related.

Sommelier
Jack Mason, Director of National Sales and Fine Wine Portfolio at Banville Wine Merchants, achieved Master Sommelier status at the very young age of 27 and is one of the youngest to do so. He is one of only 12 esteemed Master Sommeliers currently in the state of Texas and one of 172 Master Sommeliers in North America. Mason has been featured in Forbes’s annual “30 Under 30” list of outstanding young professionals nationwide, Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list in New York City as was named Wine & Spirits “Best New Sommelier 2015.” He was also featured in the series “Uncorked” on the Esquire Network that followed his journey to receiving his MS certification.

Winemaker
To put it simply, Joe knows wine. From studying his father’s impressive cellar, to crafting exquisite wines in Sonoma at Flowers Vineyard and Winery, BR Cohn Winery, and nearby at Sutcliffe Vineyards, to carving out his own niche here in Colorado, Joe Buckel lives and breathes good wine. With risk comes reward: Joe’s wines have received 90 point ratings from Wine Enthusiast. Highly passionate (and majorly scientific) about the process from harvest to bottle. Fortunately for us, he is equally passionate about sharing the wealth of knowledge he’s picked up during his two decades in the business.

Owner
Renée is one of the proud owners of Montanya, an LGBTQIA+-owned rum distillery nestled in the heart of Crested Butte, Colorado. With a background in mixology and years of experience, Renée has been instrumental in turning Montanya into a creative hub where exceptional rum and inventive cocktails come to life. Driven by a passion for sustainability and community, Renée ensures that every cocktail and collaboration reflects Montanya's values.

Writer
Kevin Day is a wine writer, wine educator and photojournalist who founded the online publication Opening a Bottle, which focuses on the deeper meaning of Italian and French wines. Kevin has been shortlisted for the Louis Roederer Wine Writers’ Awards, and twice nominated for excellence in writing (2019 and 2024) by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. He is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers, and has passed the Wine Scholar Guild's Italian Wine Scholar™ and French Wine Scholar™ exams, both with Highest Honors. 

Winemaker
Alejandro Castillo Llamas is the co-founder and winemaker of Fallen Mountain Wines in Hotchkiss, CO, and Llamas Family Wines in Napa Valley, where he crafts minimal-intervention wines that reflect a strong sense of place. Raised in a migrant farmworking family, Alex's roots in viticulture run deep. He helped build Napa’s Stagecoach Vineyard and honed his palate working at The French Laundry and Per Se.

At Llamas Family Wines, he honors his heritage through site-driven Cabernet and Chardonnay. With Fallen Mountain, he pioneers high-elevation winemaking in Colorado, guided by regenerative practices. Outside the winery, Alex enjoys fly fishing, cooking with his wife Michelle, and relaxing with his dogs—and a great bottle of wine.

Winemaker
Born in Australia, Richard was exposed early on to the wine industry through helping out on his uncle’s vineyards in the Riverina area of New South Wales. It was while working in Napa, Richard met his wife. Aly, a Colorado native introduced him to the Colorado wine scene, which at the time was still quite small. It wasn’t until visiting Palisade, that they both realized the amazing potential and uniqueness of the Colorado terroir. In 2020 they moved to Palisade and started Cliff Dweller Wine Company. Focusing on 100% Colorado grown grapes and working closely with a family of dedicated growers.

Chef
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America Chef Anthony pursued knowledge while cooking for John’s Besh in NOLA, Nobu in Las Vegas and opening a farm to table in northern Virginia.

Growing up on a farm and ranch in northeastern Colorado gave him an appreciation for where food comes from and an understanding of the hard work and passion involved.

“I have worked in many kinds of cuisines throughout my career and it has truly helped me understand my voice and what food and cooking really mean to me.  I love elevated comfort. I love to see the facial expression when that first bite brings someone back to a sensory memory or moment. I want our guests to get that warm feeling inside, comforted by the familiar and excited by the newness.”

Chef
Travis McShane, the Chef and Owner of Ostia, has been leading the restaurant for four years, bringing over 15 years of industry experience to his role. As the visionary behind Ostia’s concept and menu, he is dedicated to delivering farm-to-table cuisine with Mediterranean and Italian influences. Before founding Ostia, Travis served as Executive Chef at the acclaimed Barbuto in NYC’s West Village, working closely with renowned chef Jonathan Waxman. Outside of the kitchen, Travis is a proud father of two girls, an avid golfer, and enjoys traveling with his family.

Alcohol-free Culture Advocate
Mocktail MO is an alcohol-free culture advocate and thought leader who has kept her finger on the pulse of the alcohol-free industry since its beginning in the U.S. in 2019. Coincidentally, her personal alcohol-free life began at the same time due to a developed intolerance to alcohol that sent her on a quest to find the perfect N/A cocktail. Since then, she has made it her mission to bring the alcohol-free world to the mainstream, so that everyone has an equal seat at the table, no matter the contents of their glass.

Founder
Ben Wolven is the founder of Oyster Wulff, a raw bar and oyster catering company based in Denver, Colorado. A nationally recognized oyster shucker and storyteller, Ben brings nearly two decades of experience in the shellfish world - from dockside harvests to championship stages. He’s a 6x Colorado Shucking Champion, Maine State Champion, and two-time top-ten finisher at the World Cup of Oyster Opening.

But Oyster Wulff isn’t just about speed and spectacle - it’s about cold-water precision, saltwater sourcing, and the deep pleasure of serving something done right.

Master Distiller
A South Louisiana native, Megan Campbell is Montanya  Distillers - Master Distiller, and fearless leader where she oversees daily operations and heads up production of our award-winning rums. After earning a degree in Chemical Engineering from LSU, Megan honed her craft at Oxbow Rum before joining Montanya in 2021. She has also earned a WSET Level 3 certification in spirits. Under her leadership, the distillery has expanded its product lines while reinforcing our B Corp status by enhancing our sustainable practices and social responsibility. Driven by a passion to create, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to education, Megan is charting a dynamic direction for Montanya’s future.