Meet Members of our Hospitality Staff

By Stephen Pavy, Director of Hospitality

One of the benefits of your Phelps Preferred membership is the opportunity to attend events at Joseph Phelps Vineyards, such as Insignia Weekend and Phelps Preferred Dinners. Another benefit is that you are able to book private tasting appointments. I would like to introduce the staff that performs these important services at Joseph Phelps Vineyards.

NICOLE
Nicole Boutilier, Phelps Preferred and Trade Hospitality Coordinator, was born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut. It was the cold New England winters that brought her to Northern California in 1996. Originally headed for a career in fashion merchandising, Nicole soon realized that her passion for food and wine was drawing her to Napa Valley and a life in the country.

After being bitten by the wine bug, Nicole took as many wine classes as she could and passed the Court of Master Sommelier’s Introductory Sommelier Exam in 2001. She joined the JPV hospitality team in 2006. “Wine education is my passion and I just happen to be lucky enough to do it for a living and do it for one of the most respected vineyards, with the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable and hospitable staff in Napa Valley.”

CLAUDE
Private tastings are a specialty of Claude Leruitte, a man of many talents. He is fluent in French and English and has “notions of Dutch and Italian”. Born in Belgium, Claude became a United States citizen in 1981. He holds a degree from the "Athenee Royale de Huy" in Belgium and a B.A. in Art and Sciences from New College, University of Hawaii.

In 1972, Claude was hired as the head sommelier of the prestigious Maile restaurant of the Kahala Hilton and was the founder and first president of the Hawaii Chapter of the "Guild of Sommeliers of London.” In 1978, he established a gourmet French restaurant, Le Café de Paris, in Honolulu which was cited as one of the 10 best restaurants in Hawaii. In 1981, after selling the restaurant, he embarked on several business ventures in both Hawaii and Belgium, and in 1999 moved to California and joined Joseph Phelps Vineyards as a wine educator. Claude works Friday through Sunday conducting private tastings for VIP guests, Phelps Preferred members and trade guests.

KEITH
Keith Grimson also conducts private tastings for VIP guests, Phelps Preferred members, and trade guests, and works Monday through Thursday. Originally from the Midwest, Keith practiced orthodontics in Illinois for 30 years before retiring to the Napa Valley area. Like many of us who have found our way to JPV, his love of wine resulted in pursuing a second career in the wine industry.

After taking classes in fermentation science and viticulture at Napa Valley College, Keith joined the JPV Hospitality Team in 1996 as a wine educator with a special emphasis in hosting guests in the wine trade.

“I’ve enjoyed my years here immensely not only because I meet so many interesting people, but also because I am able to work with and learn from the talented employees of JPV. I can’t think of a more enjoyable, stress-free retirement that has kept me active and involved in such an exciting, dynamic industry.”

JAN
Jan Vierra, Events Coordinator and Wine Educator, was born in Pasadena and raised in Thousand Oaks, California. Just out of school she moved to Northern California for a change of pace.

After three years with Mirassou Winery and four years at Domaine Chandon, Jan joined Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 1996. Today Jan plans and executes all of the private parties and events including Phelps Preferred dinners and Insignia Days. “I have the good fortune to do what I love most, work with top notch chefs, pair our beautiful wines with fabulous cuisine, plan over-the-moon parties, work with an incredible staff and meet the most amazing and fun visitors. It doesn’t get any better than that.”