Diane Denham, President: Napa, CA

Diane’s interest in wine began while waiting tables to fund her college education at the University of Texas, Austin. Her interest spiked when she discovered the formula: WS = TA x 2 (Wine Sales = Tip Average x 2).

After graduating, cum laude, with a degree in Liberal Arts and then spending two years in graduate school studying Political Economics, she realized there was no money in it. (This was before the television show, “Jeopardy”, where otherwise useless knowledge pays off). She decided to spend a year in France thinking about things, but there was so much to think about she stayed in that country for 4 years. While in France, Diane furthered her wine education by drinking lots of it.

Returning home to Texas in 1987, her French experience helped her secure a position as a sales representative with American Wine and Importing, (the company credited with introducing fine wine to the Lone Star State). After correctly pronouncing “Cabernet Sauvignon” during the interview, she was hired to represent a very large and prestigious portfolio of domestic and imported wines in the Austin and Houston markets. American Wine’s suppliers included J. Drouhin, M. di Frescobaldi, Gaja, Robert Mondavi, and Moet & Chandon.

In 1991, Robert Mondavi tapped Diane as their South Texas Account Manager. Her 14 year career with the company included four years as the Regional Manager for Northern California and Nevada; four years as Regional Manager for the Caribbean and Latin America; and most recently, three years as the National Sales Manager of Robert Mondavi’s Import Division.

During this period she also acquired first-hand knowledge of the challenging viticultural side of the wine business when she and her husband purchased a small vineyard in Napa, California. After deer ate the entire first harvest, the vineyard was named “Pretty Dear.”

Diane decided to establish Grail Wine Selections after Robert Mondavi sold to Constellation Brands in December 2004. She enjoys finding and importing small wine producers whose love of wine leads them to seek the Grail…

“This just proves Liberal Arts Majors have more fun.”

Jill Davis, Vice President of Sales: Chicago, IL

Jill carried on a personal Crusade as an independent wine lover for many years previous to turning professional in 1994. At a tender early age her first introduction to wine was from her grandmother, who served token amounts of “Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill” to the children, including everyone in holiday celebrations. Notably, she also possesses wine making experience – having assisted her father by stirring the “lees” for his production of Cold Duck in the early 70’s. Not so sure that was legal being a minor, but was a ton of fun. In the mid 80’s, she upgraded to sipping Woodbridge White Zinfandel on Friday nights spent with friends watching “Miami Vice” (Pastel clothing with Pink wine to match)! Thankfully, Jill’s wine selections have evolved and expanded since these influences, but all an integral part of this amazing journey and budding interest in the wine business.

She began her 12-year career with Pacific Wine Company in Chicago. With no wine selling experience, she was hired to develop underdeveloped accounts and within a year was moved into a key account position given her success, drive and unending desire to learn more about wine. From there she moved into the supplier end, managing 3 Midwest states for Hogue Cellars, at a time when Washington wines remained in the shadow of California wines but was another rewarding, educational experience. Recruited by the Robert Mondavi Winery in 1999, she covered 15 states as a National Account Manager. After accepting a promotion within Robert Mondavi in 2001, Jill managed the sales efforts of 5 Account Managers in New York and New Jersey, returning home to Chicago with the sale of Robert Mondavi in 2004. Most recently, she covered 9 states for Precept Brands managing general sales and distribution of 25 brands. The opportunity to join Diane on her quest was too much to resist; the opportunity to share a vision, bringing quality wine options to the ever expanding consumer base.

Jill’s knowledge and experience in multiple markets and sales channels support supplier, distributor and customer goals; those who are also in search of the Grail...