Ray Spencer

I have over 30 years experience in the wine industry. My degree is in Business Management/Marketing from The University of Buffalo. My career in the wine biz actually started while I was still in college. Gallo had a program back then (1973-77) to encourage wine use on college campuses that I was involved with. I graduated in the Spring of 1977 and that same summer was hired by Glenora Wine Cellars to assist their newly hired winemaker (John Williams of Frogs leap) during their first harvest. After the harvest was complete I was not needed at Glenora and I accepted a job as a sales rep for Wine Merchants who was the state wide distributor for Gallo. I worked the wholesale end of the business for about a year and in the early fall of 1978 Glenora hired me back as General Manager. I spent the next 10 years there and assumed the additional responsibilities as Wine Maker for the 1984,85 and 86 vintages. I the left Glenora for a few years and established a bed and breakfast and a small commercial winery devoted exclusively to methode champenoise sparkling wine which was called the Barrington Champagne Company. I produced approximately 1000 gallons (420 cases) of MC sparkling wine from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Glenora asked me to re join their operation as VP of Sales and Marketing. That position evolved into VP of Operations which was my finale title when I left there in January 2006. Today I own and operate Lake Street Wines and Spirits and do some general consulting to the local wine industry.

 

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