Alongside his work as a sommelier, Richard has found fulfillment in writing wine reviews for companies such as Wines Til Sold Out, World Market, and many wineries across the U.S. and Canada. And he has also contributed to publications like Wine Connoisseur Magazine, Snooth, and his own blog Wine Splash on Instagram and Facebook. He believes the best way to truly understand wine is through tasting and writing—describing each wine and the complexities of each bottle.

Richard has appreciated and collected wine since 1990 but it wasn’t until 2004 that he made his first significant leap —becoming the Wine Buyer and Consultant at Busch’s, a large gourmet food and wine store in Michigan. Over the next decade, he honed his palate and expanded his knowledge, which eventually led him to become a Territory Wine Director at World Market. 

In 2011, he earned his Level 2 Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and in the years that followed, he pursued additional credentials, including the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and the WSET Level 3 certifications. He also became a member of the American Wine Society which deepened his wine focus. After relocating to Virginia, Richard was hired as the Wine Buyer and Tasting Room Manager for Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants in Richmond. He also spent time at some Virginia wineries in the Monticello AVA learning agricultural techniques and working with some amazing wine makers!  

He tastes and writes weekly and also hosts wine tours in the Charlottesville area in Virginia. The Monticello AVA was awarded the “Best Wine Region of the Year” in 2023 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and it has been busy there ever since! Richard enjoys taking groups of wine lovers out for the day and educating them about Virginia wines, the terroir, food and wine pairings, and vineyard management. With over 20 years in the wine business, it has been a fulfilling journey that continues!