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The Team

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Quinton Jay

Proprietor

With over 16 years’ experience in the wine industry, Quinton Jay is the proprietor of Bacchus Wine Shop and has actively contributed to the success of many wine ventures in the Napa, Sonoma, and Oregon regions. (Entrepreneurship runs in the family as you will often find his Mom in the shop.) His knowledge of wine from grape to glass gives Quinton a true appreciation of what makes a great wine.

In addition to being a wine enthusiast, Quinton has a newfound love for brown spirits with Japanese whiskey being his latest obsession. He also strives to take the mystery out of food and wine or spirits pairings, making it easy and fun to plan a meal with his recommendations on what to serve with various dishes.
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JW

Shop Manager

A self-professed cooking enthusiast, JW delights in his role as shop manager where he is responsible for purchasing beer, gourmet cheeses and charcuterie. He’s also the creator of Bacchus Provisions’® beef jerky and flavored vinegars sold in the shop.

Prior to Bacchus, JW spent 25 years as an advertising photographer for Fortune 1000 companies. In addition to his love of cooking, JW is honing his skills growing heirloom tomatoes.
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Lara

Events, Clubs, and Hospitality Manager

Lara Reynolds brings a diverse background and passion for hospitality to her role at Bacchus Wine & Spirits. Her early years were spent in the bustling world of her family's restaurant, where she developed a deep appreciation for creating memorable experiences.

She honed her skills at Bedford Post Inn, Richard Gere's boutique hotel and restaurant, where she received Relais & Châteaux training and experience in fine dining and hospitality. These skills served her well in New York City's demanding restaurant and event scene before Lara relocated to the Bay Area in 2019. These experiences have refined her multitasking, communication, organization, client relations, and problem-solving talents.

She is excited to combine her multifaceted expertise with her love of hospitality, wine, and spirits to create exceptional experiences for Bacchus Events and Club Members. 

If you are interested in hosting an event or have questions about Events and Clubs, please contact Lara directly at Lara@BacchusWS.com
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Jasmine

Tequila Advisor & Buyer / Personal Chef

Jasmine Fernandez, a tequila enthusiast and expert, combines her passion for the spirit with her background as a personal chef and bartender in the Bay Area. Her deep knowledge spans tequila's history, flavor profiles, and culinary applications. Jasmine's expertise shines through her innovative tequila-infused dishes and unique cocktail creations.

She shares her enthusiasm through tastings, workshops, and by rating tequilas on TequilaAF.com.  As a respected authority in the field, Jasmine's mission is to educate and inspire others about the complexities and joys of tequila. Her contagious passion and extensive experience make her a go-to resource for both novices and aficionados looking to explore the world of this iconic Mexican spirit.
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Todd

Scotch Buyer / Certified Scotch Professional

A true student of the craft, Todd’s endless research and “practice” have helped develop his deep knowledge and sensitive palette, earning him the title “Scotch Savant” from Bacchus owner Quinton Jay.  Starting as a hobby and quickly growing into an obsession, his love for Scotch has resulted in the sampling of hundreds of malts from every region of Scotland. Last year he made the pilgrimage to Scotland to sample its malts, and tour distilleries to learn about the intricacies of the process.

He recently became a Certified Scotch Professional through the Council of Whisky Masters program and plans to continue his education to eventually become a “Whisky Master”, a prestigious title in the Scotch world. His primary career as a professional artist and teacher helps him discover a work of art in each dram and he looks forward to sharing one with you soon!
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Nick

Sales Associate / Website Manager

Nick, a recent University of California Santa Cruz graduate in Computer Science and Game Design, currently works part-time at Bacchus Wine & Spirits and is actively seeking full-time positions in the tech industry. At Bacchus, Nick has made significant contributions, such as  designing the new website and assisting with a crucial back-of-house SaaS migration and integration. This hands-on experience complements his academic background, as it actively reflects his programming expertise. Nick's unique skill set positions him well for roles bridging technology and user experience. His time at Bacchus has not only sharpened his technical abilities but also enhanced his interpersonal skills and attention to detail. As he transitions to the professional world, Nick eagerly applies his knowledge and passion to contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge tech projects.
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Kobe

Sales Associate / Catering Team Member

Kobe, a Millbrae native, recently graduated from California State University San Diego with a degree in Criminal Justice. His academic journey reflects his passion for law and order, setting the stage for his aspirations in law enforcement. Since 2020, Kobe has been a valued team member at Bacchus Wine & Spirits, demonstrating his work ethic and ability to balance responsibilities. This part-time role has provided him with valuable customer service experience and financial stability as he pursues his career goals. Currently, Kobe is actively seeking a full-time position in law enforcement, eager to apply his education and skills to serve his community. His background combines theoretical knowledge with practical work experience, positioning him as a promising candidate in the field. Kobe's dedication to his chosen path and his ability to manage work while job hunting showcase his determination and time management skills.
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Carolyn

Wine Club Manager

As Wine Club Manager, Carolyn is the behind-the-scenes person welcoming new members and making sure all aspects of the Wine Club run smoothly. Prior to joining Bacchus, Carolyn owned and operated a wine bar, and worked at several wine retail shops and wine bars prior to that. She has been in the food and beverage industry for over 15 years and holds a sommelier certificate with the Court of Master Sommeliers. In her spare time, Carolyn likes to garden, go on hikes with her five-year-old son and German Shepherd, and drink wine (of course!).
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Katie

Catering Beverage Manager

As Wine Club Manager, Carolyn is the behind-the-scenes person welcoming new members and making sure all aspects of the Wine Club run smoothly. Prior to joining Bacchus, Carolyn owned and operated a wine bar, and worked at several wine retail shops and wine bars prior to that. She has been in the food and beverage industry for over 15 years and holds a sommelier certificate with the Court of Master Sommeliers. In her spare time, Carolyn likes to garden, go on hikes with her five-year-old son and German Shepherd, and drink wine (of course!).
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Fernando

Catering Beverage Delivery

Fernando is a dedicated member of the Beverage Catering group, ensuring timely delivery of all products for events, starting his day at 8 AM sharp. His commitment to punctuality and reliability makes him an invaluable asset to the team.

Before joining the catering industry, Fernando led an exciting life in the Philippines. As a talented soccer player, he caught the attention of San Miguel Brewery, who sponsored his athletic career. This experience not only honed his physical skills but also instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and teamwork.

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Cindee

Marketing and PR

In another life, Cindee would be a celebrity chef and author/blogger focusing on food, cooking, and travel adventures. Instead, she fulfills that dream by working with the Bacchus team on marketing the shop’s wildly fun tastings, events, world-class selection of wines and spirits, and more. Cindee enjoys experimenting with new recipes, fostering rescue pups, and traveling to exotic locales around the world.
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Yusuke Konno

Resident Chef

Yusuke Konno, Chef-In-Residence at Bacchus Wine & Spirits, brings diverse culinary expertise from Japan and beyond. After eight years in Tokyo, including a stint at the renowned steakhouse The Beacon, he explored Melbourne's food scene during a working holiday.

Returning to Kitakami in 2017, Yusuke joined Sekinoichi, a craft brewery. There, he assisted in beer brewing, led a craft gin project, and gained sake production experience. He also launched "Lazy Neighbors," a popular American breakfast pop-up.

In 2022, Yusuke moved to California, representing Suzuki Marketing to share premium Japanese products. At Bacchus Wine & Spirits, he continues to blend his Japanese heritage with global influences, creating innovative culinary pop-up experiences.

Yusuke's journey showcases his versatility, from traditional Japanese cuisine to craft brewing and international flavors, making him a valuable asset in the culinary world.
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Ryan Lawson

Resident Butcher

Ryan Lawson is that rare person who began pursuing his career at a young age and performs it exceptionally well. At age 14, while on a shopping trip to Pape’s with his parents, he was offered a part-time job helping around the shop. And so Ryan’s journey in the meat business began.

After an apprenticeship with EI, a high-end grocery purveyor in Manhattan where he studied the fine art of dry aging beef, Ryan returned to his native Millbrae where he lends his newfound expertise to Pape’s. He’s now widely considered an expert in the process of dry aging.

An avid hiker and backpacker, if you don’t see him at Pape’s, Ryan is likely camping in the mountains or deserts of California. His calm demeanor, sense of humor and excellent customer service are among the many reasons many people won’t buy their meat anywhere else.
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Perry DeLuca

Advisor / Investor

Perry has wine in his blood. While sitting as a wine conference panelist, he was once formally introduced as someone who started drinking burgundy in his sippy cup (it happens to be true).

Perry's great grandmother, Rosa Greco, opened her own wine store in Sicily in the early 1900's. From the 1940s until the early 1970s his grandfather Frank Titone and Uncle Bruno Giardina owned and operated Wilkins Liquors on Clay and Presidio in Laurel Village, San Francisco. Wilkins continues to operate under different ownership to this very day.

Much of his family has continued in the industry. His father, John, ran the California Wine Institute from 1975-2003. His sister, Carla, completed an award winning film documentary on Prohibition in 2005.

Perry has lent his expertise as an advisor and lender to many major wine companies in California. He served as a Board Member at Sonoma State's wine business program, and he’s a member of the public policy committee at the Wine Institute. He’s also serves as a board member at Trentadue Winery in Healdsburg.