The Personnel
Matthew TalbertProprietor/Wine Drinker |
Chris CameronWinemaker/General Manager |
Phil RobertsNational Sales Manager |
Allison GrovesTasting Room Manager |
Eileen Smith
Wine Club Manager |
Carly JohnsonTasting room associate |
Tawny Shores
Tasting room associate |
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Matthew Talbert
Proprietor
Matthew Talbert is a senior corporate executive who has built his reputation by applying his management and creative skills to a variety of successful business ventures.
He founded International Trade Finance Corporation an international extension of his previous successful business venture, ABS Worldwide, Inc., a U.S. based corporate barter company serving the Fortune 500.
In 1987, Mr. Talbert founded Associated Barter Services, Inc., designed mainly to serve small and medium-sized company’s trade needs. The firm has been expanded and redirected to meet the needs of larger companies providing alternative financing for advertising media and product purchasing. To reflect its expanded international focus, the company was renamed ABS Worldwide, Inc. in 1995.
In 1997, Mr. Talbert created, in partnership with the Government of the People’s Republic of China, a new company designed to bring the concept of barter to the world’s most populous nation. ABS Worldwide, Inc. and the Government of the PRC jointly own International Product Exchange Company (IPEC). IPEC opened five offices in Mainland China, and the company entered into agreements for barter and purchasing opportunities representing approximately $600 million dollars (U.S.) of Chinese products.
Mr. Talbert recently sold his interest in the equally successful Flight Environments, Inc. which Mr. Talbert purchased in 1997 as a failed aviation acoustics company. Within two years Mr. Talbert, through numerous negotiations with major aircraft manufacturers, had succeeded in turning Flight Environments around into a worldwide leader in aviation insulation and acoustics.
Mr. Talbert was one of two principals in Sunswept Pacific Communications. Sunswept is a leading event production and management firm involved in all manner of special events throughout the U.S. The company conceives and implements all aspects of special events for a broad range of corporate and non-profit associations and other clients.
In 1993, with a high-profile partner from the publishing industry, Mr. Talbert founded Contract Publishing, a sponsored publishing firm publishing 23 titles. Titles included the Beverly Hills Telephone Book, BMW Magazine, PGA Directories, the Los Angeles Advertising Club Belding Awards program, and several publications for the Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles.
In 1991, along with a partner with extensive experience in Outdoor Advertising, Mr. Talbert founded Associated Outdoor Services. Spun off from ABS Worldwide as a separate company in 1992, Associated Outdoor Services became the second largest Outdoor buying service in California.
Prior to 1987, Mr. Talbert had a successful career in the jewelry industry. He graduated from the Gemological Institute of America, and has been a Senior Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
Mr. Talbert received his education at California State University Northridge, majoring in business management, and before that attended California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo with an accounting major.
Mr. Talbert has been featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal, and quoted in such nationally respected publications as Nation’s Business and Entrepreneur, and has made appearances on numerous radio programs. Additionally, Mr. Talbert has sat on the boards of the Corporate Trade Council (CTC) and the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA).
Mr. Talbert is owner of Pritchard Hill Vineyards in Paso Robles, California, and recently acquired JanKris winery and vineyards in Paso Robles. JanKris is one of the area's most prestigious wineries, producing high quality Estate wines from 125 acres of various grape varietals. Additionally, he is an avid pilot, flying a Cessna 340-A airplane, and a scuba enthusiast holding advanced levels of certification including deep diving, search and recovery, and rescue diver. Further, Mr. Talbert is a semi-professional racecar driver, owning race teams and driving in such prestigious events as the 24hrs of Daytona. He is also a student of the martial arts for over 20 years.
Chris Cameron
Winemaker JanKris Winery
Chris Cameron is an International winemaker with a dynamic career in the wine industry that spans over 30 vintages. He has a committed and passionate approach to all aspects of winemaking.
Chris has been making wine in the Paso Robles wine growing area for the last two vintages and is very excited about what the area can do viticulturally, in being able to ripen both Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. In addition, Chris has significant crush and winemaking experience in Australia, Italy, France and Turkey. Chris’s philosophical approach to winemaking can best be described as minimalist intervention. He feels that truly great wines are inherently dependent on the vineyard and the real art of winemaking is the ability to translate what’s on the vine to bottle. Structure and balance are the most critical components of a wine and each varietal released must be an accurate reflection of the style and the region.
Chris’s interpretation of vineyards and varieties is heralding a new era for the Company.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE WINE INDUSTRY
• R and deR Fredericksburg Trophy - Best Merlot Worldwide (International Wine and Spirit Competition London)
• 96 points rated Wine Spectator
• 97+ points rated Robert Parker Jnr
• 100 points rated Langtons Wine Investment Guide
• Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy (Royal Melbourne Wine Show)
• World’s top 20 Cabernet Sauvignons (Harpers Magazine UK)
• Best New World Cabernet Sauvignon – The Wine Review Singapore
• Dr Gilbert Phillips Trophy - Best Red Wine in Show (Royal Sydney Wine Show)
• Best Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy - (National Wine Show Canberra)
• Best Semillon and Runner-up Wine of the Year Winestate annual awards
• Best Varietal Chardonnay Trophy (Royal Adelaide Wine Show)
• Best Sauvignon Blanc (Australia and New Zealand) 2001 WINESTATE Awards
• Intervin (USA) Black Diamond Award 1996, 1997 1999
• In total over 70 major trophies and 600 medals domestically and internationally
• International Wine Show Judge