Darryl Vennard began his career in the wine business over 35 years ago, first working in a research lab at Michigan State University, then as an assistant winemaker/cellar rat at a boutique winery. He spent three years as state-wide manager for a large California winery, and has logged almost 20 years of distributor experience. Darryl is a certified sommelier with training in enology and wine production as well as a contributing wine columnist for St. Louis Magazine. Representing Vine Connections for nearly 20 years, first as a distributor, later as a broker when 9 years ago he was brought on board as the Midwest Regional Sales Manager. It was then he discovered his love of Alpaca and Llama Ponchos. A certified Sake Specialist, Ponchosan loves to introduce this special beverage to his friends and customers in the Midwest. In his spare time he spends time in his “chemical free” flower garden listening to music, gardening and creating art (his Corked Tree project was the only one of its kind in the world until he began working on two others). An avid concert goer ranging from bar bands to the Symphony, he is also an activist for the unhoused and has organized local restaurants in feeding the people in his city of Saint Louis.