Meet the Moderator
Kevin Zraly
Author, Educator, & Storyteller
James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
Contact:
kevin@kevinzraly.com
Internationally acclaimed wine educator, best-selling author, James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Kevin Zraly has been described as a naturally gifted speaker who is both refreshingly humble and candid. His passion for wine and food and his engaging teaching style help demystify the ever-changing world of wine. Kevin offers Wine Classes, Wine Paired Dinners, and Wine Tastings, and speaks on wine, food, and restaurants.
After graduating from college and studying wine by visiting vineyards and winemakers around the world, Kevin had a chance meeting with legendary restaurateur Joe Baum which led to his being hired as the first Cellar Master and Wine Director of the renowned Windows on the World Restaurant atop One World Trade Center. Windows soon became the country’s top grossing restaurant and, with Kevin at the helm of its highly recognized wine list, sold more wine than any restaurant in the world. It was there that he established his Windows on the World Wine School which ran for forty years and has graduated more than 20,000 students ranging from wine novices and aficionados to top chefs and culinary professionals. Kevin worked at the Windows on the World Restaurant for 25 years, from the day it opened in 1976 until September 11, 2001.
Kevin created the New York Wine Experience which, as of 2024, has generated over $40 million in donations which have gone to the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation. Beneficiaries of this fund include University of California at Davis, Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, the CIA at Greystone in Napa, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Napa Valley College and Jose Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.
Kevin has been featured in such publications as The New York Times, People magazine, The Wall Street Journal, GQ Magazine, Newsweek, and USA Today and has appeared on national TV and other syndicated television and radio shows. He co-hosted the Food Network show “Wine A to Z,” captivating his audience with his signature charisma and enthusiasm.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America (since 1990) and teaches the Windows on the World Wine School Virtual One Hour Wine Expert classes as well as Master and Advanced Wine Classes.
Kevin is the author of eight books, including the best-selling Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, now in its 35th edition with more than 4 million copies sold. He is also the author of the first book that covers wineries and vineyards in all 50 states, Kevin Zraly’s American Wine Guide, The Ultimate Wine Companion, a compilation of 40 world-renowned wine writers, and co-author of Red Wine. His memoir, A Glass Half Full: A Cellarmaster’s Journey Through Wine and Life, will soon be released.
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Damien Barton Sartorius
Chateau Leoville Barton
Bordeaux, France -
Amanda Johnson
Spy Valley Wines
Marlborough, New Zealand -
Emma Rice
Independent Winemaker
England -
Morten Hallgren
Ravines Wine Cellars
Finger Lakes Region: Geneva, New York -
Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi
Bindi Sergardi
Tuscany, Italy
Damien Barton Sartorius
Born in 1990, Damien Barton Sartorius grew up in the midst of his family’s vineyards and winery. He quickly developed a deep appreciation for wine, terroir, and nature. Damien studied wine making and vine growing and furthered his knowledge with a master’s degree in international business. He gained valuable experience in wine production and distribution through work in Bordeaux, New Zealand, London, and New York City.
Driven by his passion for the African bush, Damien obtained diplomas as a Field Guide Ranger in South Africa. He is currently involved with an NGO called Wild Tomorrow.
After completing his studies, Damien sought to revolutionize the wine industry by creating a more modern, fun, and sustainable approach to wine consumption. Together with his friend Benjamin Joyeux, he co-founded Barton & Joyeux. Their focus is on managing brands and providing consulting services that prioritize sustainability in all aspects of wine, including production, transportation, distribution, and consumption.
In addition to his work with Barton & Joyeux, Damien serves as the Director of Châteaux Langoa and Léoville Barton in Saint Julien. Following in the footsteps of his ten generations of ancestors, he has been a leader in renovating the winery and implementing more sustainable practices, such as reducing bottle weight and using cardboard boxes instead of wood.
Amanda Johnson
Amanda Johnson is the Managing Director of Spy Valley Wines, located in Marlborough, New Zealand. As the daughter of the founding family, she has a deep connection to the winery. Embracing the challenges of her leadership role, Amanda aims to inspire her team and the broader wine industry. Her passion lies in caring for the land for future generations, and she understands the critical importance of sustainability for both Spy Valley and the wine sector. Amanda finally fulfills her long-held dream of actively participating in the family business.
Amanda's best-kept secret is that she spent five weeks ski touring in the Indian Himalayas during her early 20s. This life-changing experience was challenging and exhilarating, teaching her that every challenge is an opportunity for growth, regardless of the outcome.
Regarding wine, Amanda is a huge fan of sparkling wine paired with oysters, a favorite combination she wholeheartedly recommends.
Emma Rice
One of England’s most respected winemakers, with a string of awards and trophies under her belt, Emma Rice is now working as an independent winemaking consultant to both new and established wine businesses in England. Giving her time to the industry she is a Director on the Board of WineGB, and as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners she represents English winemaking to the wider trade and mentors young winemakers, through the Young Wine Trade Scheme and the Vintners Apprenticeship Scheme, which she initiated in 2016.
Morten Hallgren
Morten Hallgren is a Danish-born winemaker whose philosophy unites food and wine through place, precision, and restraint. He grew up at his family’s estate, Domaine de Castel Roubine, in France’s Côtes de Provence, then earned advanced degrees in Enology and Viticulture from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie in Montpellier. His career spans world-class cellars including Château Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux, Biltmore Estate, and Dr. Konstantin Frank in the Finger Lakes.
In 2002, Morten founded Ravines Wine Cellars with an uncompromising vision: the region’s first vintage was produced exclusively from dry, vinifera wines. That debut Riesling earned Best Dry Riesling at the World Riesling Cup, setting the stage for a remarkable run of acclaim. Ravines soon became the first non-dessert Finger Lakes wine to appear on the Wine Spectator Top 100, later earning the honor twice more—most recently with a Wine Spectator 2025 Top 100 selection for the 2022 Dry Riesling. Additional accolades followed from Wine & Spirits, The New York Times, Decanter, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine.
These milestones helped change the trajectory of Riesling in the Finger Lakes—ushering in a new, modern, mineral-driven style of winemaking. Today, Ravines is regarded as one of the premier wine destinations in the Eastern United States, consistently earning national awards, influential press, and international recognition.
Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi
Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi represents the 23rd generation of the historic Bindi Sergardi family, whose roots in the Sienese countryside date back to 1349. She is co-owner of Bindi Sergardi, one of Tuscany’s longest-established family wine estates.
The third of five children, Alessandra grew up immersed in vineyards, history, and a deep respect for the land. Her family legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of Chianti Classico: her great-grandfather Emilio is widely regarded as one of the key figures and guiding spirits behind the foundation of the Chianti Classico Consortium. This heritage is today carried forward into the 24th recorded generation of the family.
After attending the scientific lyceum in Siena, Alessandra graduated cum laude in Economics and Business from the University of Florence. In keeping with an unwritten family rule, before joining the family business she gained experience outside the estate, working in sales and marketing within the wine sector and deepening her understanding of international markets. During this period, she also taught oenology at an international school, sharing knowledge shaped by both academic training and a lifelong connection to the family vineyards.
In 2005, Alessandra officially joined Bindi Sergardi, taking on the role of Director General of the wine division and overseeing the estates of Mocenni, I Colli, and Marcianella. Since then, she has played a central role in guiding the winery’s international development, strengthening its global presence while preserving a strong identity rooted in Chianti Classico terroir and family heritage.
With a modern, detail-oriented vision, Alessandra has supported innovation in both vineyard and cellar, always focusing on quality, authenticity, and respect for the land. Today, she leads the winery alongside her sister Maddalena, sharing strategic decisions and a long-term vision for the future of the family estates.
Alessandra is part of the Board of the Chianti Classico Consortium, where she actively contributes to the governance and long-term vision of the appellation. She is also committed to initiatives supporting female entrepreneurship and leadership in the wine sector.
She carries forward the strong feminine lineage that has shaped Bindi Sergardi over centuries, from Calidonia Sergardi, who founded the family through her marriage to Gerolamo Bindi, to Elisabetta and Chiara, whose intelligence, determination, and love for the land were fundamental to the estate’s evolution.
Guided by the family values of integrity, authenticity, and audacity, Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi continues to shape the present and future of Bindi Sergardi, balancing tradition with innovation and ensuring the continuity of the family legacy.