I was born in 1968. I grew up in Salinas California. My father was a wine maker and my mother was a Volunteer Coordinator for the town. I developed interests in cooking, baking, and community services as a youth. While in college, I participated in Anti-War protests following the US invasion of Iraq. I majored in Crop Science at Merced College. I currently work as a critic for wine.com journals. I also do gardening as a hobby. I married my wife in 1996. I have 5 kids in my family right now. 