Rick Fraga, currently performing wine education, hospitality and sales for Martinelli Winery, is now working full time at following his passion for wine. Leading up to this segment of his life he had a 25 year career in Telecommunications Management. For a number years he co-mingled his passion for wine with his career, but over the last 7 years wine tugged him back into it’s fold. His experience over the last 20 years include hospitality, education, cellar work and sales for wineries including Konrad, Fife and Greenwood Ridge, Dutcher Crossing, Acorn, Stryker Sonoma and Martinelli. Additionally, after adding educational background in Wine Business, Marketing, Evaluation and Service at Santa Rosa JC, he continues to work with the Wine Studies program at the JC.

Recently, Rick has taken on the challenge of wine writing and blogging, his blog site being www.gatewaytowine.com. The focus of his writing is to demystify wine for the masses, hoping to share his passion wine and the many enjoyable ways it fits into our lives. Along with his blog, he is performing freelance writing, emphasizing observations and evaluation of wine, food, hospitality and facilities.

Rick is a proud father of three grown sons, including a marine with two tours of duty in the middle east. On those non-wine related days you can find him, hiking, traveling, or just catching up with his family and friends.

Rick believes that “Life is too short to drink bad wine”, which translates into not only trying to find out which wine is good or bad, but encouraging other to do the same. His frequent advice to others is “Find your Palate and then enjoy it!

If you would like to contact Rick he can be reached at gatewaytowine@gmail.com.