Before embarking on a career in the wine business, Clarke Swanson established his experience in the general business worlds. After receiving a Bachelors Degree in History and Political Science from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, his career included work in the fields of banking, radio broadcasting, cable television, and community newspapers.

Swanson Vineyards began in 1985, when the Swanson family (wife Elizabeth and three daughters) relocated to Napa Valley from Naples, FL. Today the winery produces a variety of wines in the legendary Napa Valley regions; current releases include a 2004 Rosato, 2004 Pinot Grigio, 2002 Alexis and 2002 Merlot.

In addition to his dedication to wine-making, Clarke Swanson is involved in a variety of professional and civic organizations. He is a Director of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, Director and former Chairman of the Oakville Winegrowers Association, a Director and Vice President of the Friends of Lincoln Theater Performing Arts Center (Napa Valley), and a Director of University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Foundation.

John Williams' route to winemaking began as with a connection to the land as a dairy farmer in upstate New York. After attending Cornell University, a fortuitous work-study program at Taylor Wine Company compelled Williams to attend UC Davis' Enology and Viticulture Masters Program.

Diploma in hand, he returned to New York's famously scenic Finger Lakes region as the start-up winemaker at Glenora Wine Cellars. Taking inspiration from his first Napa Valley winemaking post at Stag's Leap, he began making wine commercially in 1981 under the name Frog's Leap.

Frog's Leap is set among 130 acres of vineyards at the historic Red Barn, a grand building erected in 1884 as the Adamson Winery. The winery uses the best of Napa Valley's organically grown grapes, and the most traditional winemaking techniques, to produce wines that deeply reflect the soils and climate.

As visitors to the company's whimsical web site can attest, Frog's Leap presents a decidedly relaxed approach to enjoying wine. An easy hospitality and warm sense of humor is paired with a more serious sensibility when making wine.

Frog's Leap produces nearly 50,000 cases of hand-crafted wine annually, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Leapfrögmilch, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford and Zinfandel.

Justin Baldwin

In 1981, Justin and Deborah Baldwin purchased 160 acres west of Paso Robles on California's Central Coast and planted their estate vineyards. Justin brings to JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery his business savvy as a former investment and international banker.

Since its inception, Justin focused his efforts on producing world-class Bordeaux style blends from the estate vineyards for the JUSTIN label. Justin is a pioneer in producing this style of wine on the Central Coast and his efforts have been rewarded with past and present vintages earning 90+ points by the major wine trade publications. More encompassing recognition has come from awards such as the Grand Sweepstakes award winner, Best of class, Best of Region, the coveted Pichon Lalande trophy for "World's Best Blended Red Wine" and Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of the World.

Vintages have received numerous accolades by capturing Decanter Magazine's "4 Stars", Restaurant Wine's "3 Forks" and Connoisseurs Guide's " 3 Puffs". Justin has consistently earned the praise of the wine press with recognition from the likes of Robert M. Parker Jr. naming Justin Baldwin one of his "Wine Heroes of the Year" and the "Star of Paso Robles"; the James Beard Foundations "Great American Winemaker Award"; Quarterly Review of Wine's "Top 3 Cabernet Producers of the Year"; and Wine Enthusiast's "Top Cabernet and Blended Wine Producers List" for seven years running.

Justin is an active participant in the wine world. He is a frequent panelist at prominent food and wine events worldwide, is a two term board member of the Family Winemaker of California, part board member and committee chair of the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association, co-found of the West Side Grand Crew and the Far out Wineries of Paso Robles. For their contribution he and his wife have been named the Paso Robles Wine Industry persons of the year.

Beyond winemaking, the Baldwins have found that Food and JUSTIN wines go together. In fact, JUSTIN is the only winery on California's Central Coast to retain a full-time chef whose kitchen works daily to pair acclaimed JUSTIN wines with fresh seasonal and vineyard grown offerings.

The Baldwin family lives on the vineyard and includes Justin and wife Deborah; their two children, three dogs and two horses. In addition to the vineyards, winery, and tasting room, they own and operate the highly acclaimed country inn, The JUST Inn, and its intimate gourmet restaurant, Deborah's Room, also on the property.

Deborah Baldwin

Deborah Baldwin founded JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery with her husband in 1981 when they purchased 160 acres of land in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, 15 miles West of Paso Robles, California, a refreshing departure from her former career as a Mortgage Banker.

Deborah's past business experience in sales and marketing has been a natural to the never-ending needs to promote the JUSTIN brand to their various levels of distribution. Luckily the job promoting their winery has not been so difficult, due to the various honors JUSTIN Winery has enjoyed since its inception.

In addition to handling the marketing for JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Deborah is also the general manager of the property's highly acclaimed JUST Inn, as well as its aptly named fine-dining restaurant, "Deborah's Room." It's the only on-site winery restaurant on the Central Coast that is open to the public and offers world-class California-French cuisine seven days a week.

Deborah has also been recognized by her peers and was elected in November of 2003 as a Winery Board of Director on the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association. She also enjoyed the opportunity to be elected as the Central Coast's Winery Board Member for the Wine Institute in the year 2000.

Michael Weiss' vast knowledge of wines has been honed by over 20 years of professional restaurant experience in four and five star settings. These include Chef Sommelier at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, FL; Maître d'Hôtel at Don Cesar in St. Petersburg, FL; Head Sommelier at Colony Beach Resort in Long Boat Key, FL; and Arnauds, New Orleans.

Weiss is an author of Exploring Wine: The Culinary Institute of America's Guide to Wines of the World. As Professor in Wine Studies at the esteemed Culinary Institute of America in New York, and adjunct professor at the New School University, he shares his passion for wines with diverse students.

His honors and awards include Diploma of Honor, Corporation des Cignerons de Champagne, 1998. Weiss is a member of the Sommelier Society of America, East Coast Chapter.

Michael Weiss will present 2480-Hollywood and Vine Cellars, Napa Valley; Kathryn Hall, Napa Valley; and L’Aventure, Paso Robles.