Master Sommelier Ron Edwards is a husband, father of five girls, Mechanical Engineer, surfer, media entrepreneur, foodie personality and one of America’s most entertaining and trusted wine and culinary ambassadors. As of February 2018, he became the Director of Wine Education for Winebow Fine Wine + Spirits, a national importer and wholesaler. He directs the process and content for the company’s wine and spirits education efforts.
He was the “Weather Channel Wine Guy” and has appeared on the Cooking Channel and in a myriad of premier food and wine publications. Ron also hosted special executive hospitality and Edu-tainment tasting events nationally for innovative media brands like Nielson, The Mobile Marketing Association, and The Weather Channel.
Ron was the founder of Wine Talk Media and host of Wine Talk Radio, and creator of the Grapevine School of Wine. He is the host of Wine Smart: The Power to Buy and Sell and Winebow Insider podcasts, Ron also co-founded Bottle Rocket, a wine and culinary image consultancy serving New York, Chicago, Denver, and Washington DC. Using his passion for an others-centered approach to service, he consulted for a national array of hospitality, cuisine, and beverage clients.
International flavor is Ron’s passion. Growing up the son of a southern missionary preacher, he lived his teen years in Trinidad, WI. He met his wife in Honduras in 1994. In London in 2005, after nine years of study and apprenticeship, he was appointed as the world’s 127th Master Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Where are you working currently and how has being a MS supported you in your current role?
I am the Director of Wine Education for Winebow Fine Wine + Spirits, a national importer and wholesaler. The learning journey required to become a Master Sommelier is the foundation on which our content is created. The mastery of the subject of wine is not really possible but learning how to be a lifelong learner is the true gift of the diploma journey. This combined with the ten plus years of monthly lecturing for the CMS and all the staff training through the years prepared me succeed in this role.
Where were you working when you passed?
When I passed in 2005, I had recently left full time restaurant management and started a consulting business, Ron Edwards, MS Consulting. I ran that business for 12 more years before moving into the role at Winebow.
What made you want to become an MS?
In 1996, I met the marvelous Madeline Triffon, MS at a trade tasting. She was so genuine and she looked at me and said, “You should become a Master Sommelier.” That was the spark that showed me a path to attempt a daunting challenge where few succeed. It was all about the challenge.
What advice do you give those who are pursuing certification?
If you are pursuing the Master Sommelier Diploma, please hold it lightly with open hands. It must be a part of your life but not what defines your life. When it is integral, but not dominant it is in the proper place for you to flourish.
What is your desert island wine, or what wines/beverages are you currently excited about?
If there is refrigeration on the island or a cold spring, then I take Champagne as the only wine available.
