David’s story in wine began with his father’s love of wine leading to the family buying a winery in New York State in the 1980s. “We all jumped in together and started Rivendell in 1987,” he says, “and I got to name it.” Rivendell, named after the House of the Elves in J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings, went on to become New York’s top award-winning winery while the Ransom family owned it, getting top honors from critics, as well.
Outside the winery business, David has been involved in the education, promotion and marketing of wines and spirits across the country for over 30 years. As a wine and spirits consultant for various hospitality related companies, his involvement in the industry also includes wine competition judging, and wine event production for Melanie’s former company, M. Young Communications, during which time he served as the wine manager for the James Beard Foundation Awards from 2004 to 2006.
David is Editor-at-Large for two hospitality-focused national wine & spirits print magazines – The Tasting Panel Magazine & The Somm Journal – writing columns, feature articles and cover stories. He currently serves as Chair of the prestigious Wine Media Guild, a U.S. based membership of wine writers and wine educators.
Expertise: writing and special event production.
Email: david@theconnectedtable.com
