ABOUT US
Bay Area Wine Company stands at the forefront of exceptional service, dedicated to crafting bespoke wine experiences and curating private wine cellars with unparalleled expertise. Specializing in personalized wine seminars, programs, and unforgettable journeys into the world of wine, we cater to corporate clients, businesses, and individuals alike. Whether you're seeking to build a wine collection or embark on a memorable wine tasting adventure, Bay Area Wine Company ensures an enriching experience tailored to your discerning palate.
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a wine company that believes in supporting the passionate souls that spend countless hours making beautiful wine from all over the world. We believe that clients should be completely delighted when they open a box of wine from us! We root for small producers. We believe in doing the right thing. We believe in lutte raisonnée. We believe all people in the wine industry are partners in our quest. We are here to introduce people to the wonderment and magic that wine can bring to a dinner, a moment or a memory.
AMY MORGAN
Wine Director and Owner
Amy Morgan is the dynamic force behind Bay Area Wine Company, where she serves as the Wine Director and Founder. With a passion for wine and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Amy leads Bay Area Wine Company in offering unparalleled service specializing in curating private wine cellars and designing bespoke wine experiences, seminars, and programs. Amy caters to corporate clients, businesses, and individuals seeking unforgettable wine journeys.
A distinguished graduate of the prestigious Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma Program in London, Amy has honed her expertise as a sommelier in San Francisco for over 15 years. Currently pursuing her Master of Wine certification—a distinction held by only 416 individuals worldwide—Amy exemplifies dedication and mastery in the wine industry.
For nearly a decade, she successfully helmed a renowned wine club, offering curated wine delivery subscriptions that cater to novices, aspiring sommeliers, and aficionados alike. During her tenure with the Harvard Business School Executive Education team, Amy undertook a pivotal role as the curator of wines for the dean's dinners, special events, and graduation ceremonies. Previously, as Wine Director for Wine Meats Cheese and Beverage Director for San Francisco’s Shin Dig Event Space, Amy crafted exclusive wine experiences that fused education with culinary artistry, earning acclaim for her innovative approach.
An accomplished writer, Amy's insights on food and wine pairings have graced the pages of Modern Luxury Magazine. In addition to her leadership at Bay Area Wine Company, Amy is also the founder of Mater Wine Consulting LLC, where she provides tailored wine consulting and personalized education, empowering clients to deepen their appreciation and understanding of wine.
Amy Morgan's journey into the world of wine follows a dynamic career in Senior Event Management and Marketing across Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco. Her roles included overseeing product marketing and orchestrating impactful events.
Amy earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska and a Master's Degree in Communications from Northeastern University. She resides in San Francisco with her husband, Ryan, who shares her passion for Bordeaux along with their daughters Lily and Abby.
Curt Polikoff
Wine Manager
Originally from Philadelphia, Curt has lived in San Francisco since 2006. It was here he had his first exposure to fine wine, which grew into a passion and ultimately a full-time profession. Curt worked at several wine bars while studying for and ultimately passing the Certified Sommelier exam in 2010 and later the WSET advanced level certification in 2016. Shortly thereafter, he had the opportunity to help manage the wine program at Alexander's Steakhouse in San Francisco under the guidance of a Master Sommelier. With that experience in hand, Curt jumped at the chance to become the Wine Director at The Tradesman Wine Bar & Bistro and curated his wine list from all around the world. Most recently, Curt decided to try his hand at wine making, vinifying a small batch of Syrah from the Yorkville Highlands in Mendocino, CA. The wine is in barrel and should be bottled sometime next year!
Curt thoroughly enjoys traveling and has been fortunate enough to tour many of world's wine regions in Europe, South America, Africa, New Zealand and, of course, the US. He has always found that wine is something best shared with friends and takes great pride in helping others find a perfect wine for the occasion.
When not pursuing his wine interests, Curt can be found playing his bass guitar with local musicians, hanging out with his two best friends (wife Carolyn and dog Reggie) and roaming the Bay Area for new and interesting restaurants.
KAREN HOYMAN
Office Manager
As Office Manager, Karen brings an extreme attention to detail and a personal strive for perfection. Before joining the team at Bay Area Wine Company, Karen spent 10 years as a Senior Event Coordinator for a charter yacht company. There she focused on delivering premier, high-quality dining, entertainment and cruise experiences. She’s had the pleasure of working with a variety of wonderful clients such as Cisco, Ingram Micro, Pacific Life, Blizzard Entertainment and Zillow, just to name a few.
Karen was born and raised in Orange Country, CA but now resides in Omaha, NE with her husband and two children. (Ages 2 and 5.) She enjoys spending time with family, neighbors and friends, volunteering at her children’s school and organizing everything!
NIKKI SCOTT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Nikki Scott is a writer and a wine professional with experience in many facets of the industry. She received advanced level certification in 2011 from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), the foremost international body for wine and spirit training, and is currently a candidate for the prestigious WSET Diploma certification.
Nikki discovered her love of wine while studying Textile and Apparel Design and Management at Cornell University. Beguiled by the wines of the Finger Lakes and realising that she had greater affinity with the laid back, epicurean lifestyle of an oenophile than with the cut-throat fashion industry, she decided to make it her life’s career.
Since then, Nikki has built her wine knowledge and skills through hands-on involvement in tasting rooms, retail outlets, and wine bars including The Barrel Room, which she founded to bring small-production wines from around the world for her customers to enjoy.
Nikki is now an independent wine writer, illustrator, educator, and consultant. Residing in Oakland, California with her husband Darren and her dog Pumpkin, Nikki loves exploring all the beautiful sights and experiences the Bay Area has to offer, including the food and wine, of course.
TAYLOR COOK
Director of Strategy & Marketing
Taylor Cook joins Bay Area Wine Company with a decade of experience in Marketing. Most recently as a Marketing Director with L'Oreal, specializing in brand positioning and strategy, advertising as well as consumer engagement and advocacy. Previously, Taylor spent 7 years in branding and package design for clients including Procter & Gamble, Del Monte Foods, Fidelity Investments, Johnson & Johnson and Revlon. Taylor graduated from the University of Richmond where she majored in Business Administration and French. She received her MBA from Columbia Business School.
Taylor is an avid marathon runner, amateur cook and fantasy football fanatic. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and is actively involved in fundraising and volunteer efforts for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She loves peppery Grüner Veltliner and big red wines – the bolder the better!
SHELBY HILL
Business Operations Manager
As Business Operations Manager, Shelby Hill brings to the Bay Area Wine Company her enthusiastic approach to life. Her solution-oriented approach and skillful handling of communications, schedules, and details keeps our projects on track and executed seamlessly. She is skilled at responding to the unique, emerging needs of the business. Her ability to identify issues before they become problems benefits both her team and clients. Her accounting education and 7 years providing concierge service to high net worth clients make her a valuable asset to the company.
Shelby graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
Shelby resides in Oakland with her husband Josh and beautiful baby boy. She enjoys hiking in the hills of the East Bay, photography — and, of course, wine!
JEN DIRVIANSKIS
Social Media Strategist
As an account management professional in Advertising, Jen has gained extensive experience working on integrated advertising/marketing campaigns for many well-known clients, such as Clorox, Häagen-Dazs, Nest and Audi of America. Jen has developed and led various campaign initiatives spanning across TV, print, digital and social media platforms.
One of Jen's most memorable experiences to date is crushing grapes on a vineyard in Perugia, Italy, where she studied abroad for a full year. During that year, her love and appreciation for wine strengthened, and it has continued to do so ever since.
When she isn't sipping on a buttery glass of Chardonnay on the couch in her PJ's, Jen is doing yoga, photography, watching Friends or playing the piano.
Justin Hallman
Operations Manager
Justin, a Florida native now in San Francisco for over 20-years, has spent most of his professional career in diverse capacities within the service sector. When opportunity allows, he leverages analytical thinking and an eye for detail to make meaningful improvements to his employers' workflows, minimize inefficiencies, and improve outcomes.
Justin can be found pursuing written and visual personal projects and/or shooing his puppy off the dining room table.
Emiddio Justin Massa
Operations Assistant
Emiddio discovered the world of wine while taking a year off after college to apply to medical school. He took a job working in a tasting room in the Finger Lakes of New York and after giving tours of the winery through harvest was hooked. With the end goal of becoming a winemaker, he spent several years working in wine sales and marketing before diving headfirst into wine production in 2014, Emiddio, relocated to the Bay Area for a harvest internship with an urban winery and discovered a passion for producing high end, small batch Pinot Noir.
When he isn’t in the cellar, Emiddio can often be found in the kitchen, outside training for his next marathon, or enjoying the company of friends and family over a good glass of wine.
JASON SNELL
Art Director
Jason is a Los Angeles-based multidisplinary artist who created the branding and website for Bay Area Wine Company. His prior work includes creating interactive websites for HBO Emmy Award winning documentaries, building prototypes for AOL’s multi-million dollar music campaign “Sessions,” and developing web content and iPhone apps for MTV and Condé Nast magazines.
His work has been the receipient of the Art Director's Club, IAC Web, IAB MIXX, Glaad Media, and Webby Awards, and has been featured at SXSW, Sundance, and the Berlin Indepedent Film Festival.