Rob is a trained and certified sommelier through the Le Cordon Bleu/ US Sommelier Association Program. Rob is also uniquely qualified to teach about wine because he is a University of California Davis trained winemaker (enologist). Rob currently owns Lewis Station Winery and the Wetlands Winery in Lake Mills, WI. He also consults for many other wineries in the state and has taught his class to many industry professionals, restaurants and bars. Rob is also part of the faculty at Madison College in Madison Wisconsin. Rob teaches a variety of food & wine classes there as well as a "Learn To Make Your Own Wine" Course.

Rob is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and does guest speaking at many corporate events and is a regular on Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television and National Public Radio and local NBC and CW affiliates..

When you meet Rob, you will see and hear the passion he has for wine. Learning has never been more fun! 

Rob is often referred to as the "Alton Brown" of Wine.

Rob has a new book coming out in 2024 called 

"Sommelier Secrets: Unveiling the Mystery of Food & Wine Pairing"

DETAILS COMING SOON

Life can be lived in a casual way, or with passion. We all choose how and where to spend our energy and attention. You may play music, cook seriously, or tend a lovely garden. Maybe the things you love aren’t vital, but they make life richer. Passion is never wasted effort.

That’s why wine lovers learn to taste. We know that the effort we put into understanding and appreciating wine adds an extra dimension to the basic daily routines of eating and drinking. It turns obligation into pleasure, a daily necessity into a celebration of life.

When you learn the science behind tasting, the molecules and tastebuds you will enjoy every meal, just a little bit more… going forward. Don’t delay, choose your class today.

For wine, eyeballing wine, swirling and sniffing and swishing ... it may look complicated or even snobbish, but the traditional wine-tasting technique is actually based on common sense. It's simply a way to pause for a moment, to stop and think, and to pay attention to the ways that wine impacts on all your senses, from sight and scent to taste, aftertaste, and the overall impression that the wine leaves behind after you've finished. You’d think that sounds good, wait until we’ve paired wine with food. Enjoying food and wine will be pleasurable going forward, a true celebration of life. Most importantly, you’ll understand the why.

Rob takes a scientific approach to teaching you what works with food & wine pairing and why. You’ll understand using your own tastebuds along with lots of take home material.