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Jon Notarius
Owner, Prestige Wine & Spirits
Jon founded Prestige Wine & Spirits in 2002. It quickly became recognized as a market leader, and in 2007 received one of the industry’s highest honors — the prestigious “Leaders” award from Market Watch, a trade magazine from the publishers of Wine Spectator. Jon’s extensive travels through many of the world’s wine regions has given him a broad palate, but he lists Italy and France as his two favorite places for both their wine and their food.
Jon’s current favorite wines
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Jeff Vignaux
General Manager, Prestige Wine & Spirits
Forced at an early age to enter the wine profession due solely to the spelling of his last name, Jeff has had to make the best of it. He has an MBA from Cornell University, but began his wine career as a tour guide for Wagner Vineyards in 1986. There, he was obliged to learn enough about wine to fake the answers to difficult questions. Very little has changed in the ensuing years except that the questions have gotten harder. To address this very issue, Jeff has traveled extensively throughout the world, searching for superb wine values and for any relatives that may have left an inheritance. He has worked for the Premier Group since 1992, opening and managing Premium Wine & Spirits for seven years, and most recently, opening and managing Prestige Wine & Spirits beginning in 2002.
Jeff’s current favorite wines
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Ed Draves
Wine Manager, Prestige Wine & Spirits
I’ve had the privilege of spending my entire adult life (and if you ask any of the managers at Prime Wines, a few years of reckless youth) working for the Premier Group. That time has afforded me the opportunity to visit hundreds of wineries in four different countries, sample thousands of wines and meet countless interesting and wonderful people. I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of work in the community including countless tastings for Charities, Churches and Masonic Lodges and am even co-chairman of a large tasting in the Southtowns, Wines at the Shrine, to benefit Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. Since that day almost 20 years ago that I strolled into Premier looking for a job to get me through college, I’ve become a husband, father (to 2 great kids), a man and a pretty big fan of the fermented grape.
Ed’s current favorite wines
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Dan Updike
Senior Wine Associate, Prestige Wine & Spirits
Originally from the Central NY area, Dan is a Fredonia State graduate who relocated to Western New York in 2001 after a career in the radio industry. Since joining Premier in 2002 he has visited many wine regions in Italy and Spain. Dan’s favorite wines are those that are well-balanced and from appellations such as the Rhône Valley in France, Ribera del Duero in Spain, and Piedmont in Italy.
Dan’s current favorite wines
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Christopher Wirth
Senior Wine Associate, Prestige Wine & Spirits
Christopher spent the early part of his life exploring the world with a traveling circus. Visiting countries such as France, Spain, Peru and Germany, he gained a passion for wine and culture. A high wire trapeze accident forced his early retirement from the circus. He then returned home and graduated from Ithaca College in the heart of the New York wine region. Post-college, he returned to France for a brief stint in the French Foreign Legion. Detesting violence, Christopher fled the Legion and acquired a job with the Premier Group. When not sharing his love for wine and travel, Christopher spends his time alone, reading the dictionary or quietly reflecting.
Christopher’s current favorite wines
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Eric Zubricky
Senior Wine Associate, Prestige Wine & Spirits
Starting his tenure at Prestige in 2002, Eric has developed a passion for fine wine. His favorites are full-bodied, full-throttle reds including Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Australian Shiraz, Nebbiolo and also, French Champagne. Working at Prestige has been more of an education than a job for him, being exposed to thousands of wines every year has really imparted a great deal of knowledge. He feels that the world of wine is never-ending and with every new vintage comes a fresh start for something great. Eric is a graduate of Medaille College’s management program and an avid import car enthusiast.
Eric’s current favorite wines
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Brett Welgoss
Stock Manager/Wine Associate, Prestige Wine & Spirits
I have worked for the Premier Group for seven years now. Starting in the stock department, and now the stock manager at Prestige, I have had a lot of opportunities to learn about and taste many wines and spirits from around the world. My favorites include Pinot Noir from Oregon. I had the privilege to go to the great northwest and visit many outstanding wineries such as Van Duzer and Argyle. I have also become a bourbon lover. Going to Kentucky and visiting distilleries such as Buffalo Trace and Jim Beam was another great experience.
Brett’s current favorite wines
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