intages vary, winemakers change, great new wines pop up every day… There’s so much to keep track of, and all you really want to do is sit down and enjoy a great bottle of wine. That’s where we come in.

Our Wine Scouts are Wine Country insiders – trusted advisors – dedicated to helping you along in your continuum of wine enjoyment. They live, work and play here in Napa and are privy to the inside scoop. They’ll help you find the wines you really want based on your palate, interests and desires. Now you have a friend in the wine business.

Sam Miller | Senior Wine Scout
Well, it’s hard to believe, but I’ve racked up 25 years in the restaurant industry – and the whole time my focus has been on wine. What can I say? I love the stuff. I spent several years consulting with top-notch restaurants and helping them to develop their wine lists – long before it was cool for every restaurant to have their own Sommelier. In fact, three of the wine lists that I developed actually received Wine Spectator’s "Award of Excellence." Stands to reason that I really like finding the right wines for the right people.

Once I moved to Napa, I spent three years with Franciscan Estates, wearing lots of hats. My main job there was director of Wine Education. Since then I’ve been a Bounty Hunter Wine Scout. I look forward to being yours.

Alan Lewis | Senior Wine Scout
I was born and raised deep in the heart of Texas. I've had many years of experience in hotels...bars and restaurants. It was when I began serving and managing in 2 high-end restaurants that I realized my passion for wine.

I've always had a love of California and a draw to the Pacific Ocean, but it was my interest in fine dining and great wine that brought me here. I moved to Napa Valley in 1999 and spent 6 years working in The Restaurant at Domaine Chandon. It's the only winery in Napa Valley with a restaurant open to the public, which makes it an unparalleled opportunity to learn about food and wine. I developed a knack for matching food and wine and have guided many guests through fantastic culinary experiences.

I have a Sommelier's Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers. I've helped put together restaurant wine lists as well as stocked people's wine cellars. I'll be interested to hear about your favorite wine.

Salut!

Elizabeth Champion | Wine Scout Manager
Since moving to Napa in 2001, I have cultivated a love and passion for wine. This affinity began right away while I was working in the restaurant industry here in the Napa Valley. As I moved my way into higher end restaurants, I was able to develop my knowledge of fine wine and quickly realized that this was the industry for me.

When I graduated from college in 2006, I took a job working for a local distributor of wine. It was there that I was able to learn about wines from other regions of the world, and was able to really hone in on expanding my knowledge.

I am very excited to have joined the team of Wine Scouts here at the Bounty Hunter and am looking forward to working with you to expand your knowledge and appreciation of wine!

Räm Hatley | Wine Scout
My passion for wine is in the journey. I began my professional career in wine in Brooklyn, NY. I was lucky to work with Darrin Siegfried, former President of the Sommelier Society of America, who brought me on as the assistant manager of Red, White and Bubbly, a retail wine outfit in the heart of the famous Park Slope neighborhood in Brooklyn. This environment fast-tracked my understanding of both the industry and wine production methods and styles from around the globe. Since making the move to Napa Valley, where I attended courses at Napa Valley College in wine marketing, sales and enology, I have spent two and a half years as a wine industry National Sales Manager. This gave me the opportunity to form strong relationships with distributors, fine wine retailers, restaurateurs, wine critics and educators from across the country. Most recently, I have had the privilege to work with Appellation America in their effort to survey every appellation and wine in North America.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Jazz Performance from Long Island University’s famous Brooklyn Campus, and have studied and performed with such legends as Eddie Palmieri, Carl Allen, Jimmy Cobb, Pete Yellin, members of the Trey Anastasio Band in central VT and Michael Ray and Marshal Allen of the Sun Ra Archestra to name a few. I am a true believer in the ability of wine, like music, to create a visceral and imaginative cognitive reaction that enriches the human experience and brings people together. I very much look forward to the opportunity to share my experience and this wonderful “Bounty” with you.

Ryan Crosbie | Wine Scout
I have spent my entire adult life in the wine industry and I have never found a better place to work than Bounty Hunter Rare Wine Co. I began in the cellar as many wine professionals did, and worked my way to Assistant Winemaker in the California Central Coast. Since graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with degrees in Wine and Business, I have lived and worked in Europe, New York, and San Francisco, fully immersed in the wine world.

With all my experience in New World, Old World, and out-of-this-world wines, I look forward to putting the best stuff in your wine glass and cellar. Working with a Wine Scout will guarantee you drink amazing wine and working with me will make it fun, informative, and personal. Cheers!

Mike Taylor | Wine Scout
Greetings fellow wine lovers! Thanks for taking a moment to stop by and see the face behind the voice. Like most of you, I can remember when I was bit by the wine bug. For years, wine had been just a simple enjoyable hobby. That was until I had the opportunity to work in an exceptional wine store in Texas that featured more than 2,500 wine labels. That was where rocket fuel met passion!

As passions increase, so does the thirst for knowledge. In 2003 I earned the Advanced Certificate – “Pass with Distinction” - from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust studying under the tutelage of two Masters of Wine Peter Marks and Joel Butler. Like many, I just happen to have an insatiable palate for all things delectable – which is what lead me to the Bounty Hunter in Napa.

As your Wine Scout, I am on constant lookout for you. We taste over 5,000 wines per year and select only the very best for your drinking pleasure. So if you’re looking for the hottest wine that “nobody can get” or simply hunting for a great wine, make sure to give me a call and I will be your guide. Remember, the taste is in the hunt!

Chris Langston | Wine Scout

Industry veteran? Well, let’s just say that I’m a golfer with a professional wine career! The hospitality industry was my starting point, as it has been for many of us Wine Scouts. As a sommelier, I served in fine restaurants and hotels located in Texas, NY and CA. Taking that experience I became a wholesale wine distributor, importer and independent broker of fine wines. Along the way I have sprinkled in stints as a fine wine retailer in both TX and CA, and to round out the resume, I have worked for a couple of wineries here in Northern California. After all these years I have learned one simple truth: people basically want great stuff (thanks Mark!). Work with me and take great assurance that we will find that for you too.

Nicolas Mills | Wine Scout

Raised in Napa Valley and growing up in cellars has certainly inspired me to become a “wine-insider” and ultimately led me to become your personal Wine Scout. For over three decades I have explored the wine world as a sommelier and Cellar Master in a 5-Diamond restaurant, as a Fine Wine Specialist, and a wine buyer for both retail and restaurants. I have sacrificed valuable wine-sipping time developing credentials with the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as the WSET (UK), passing the Advanced Level 3 “with distinction.” These experiences continue to help keep my finger on the pulse of what’s hot in Napa as well as the rest of the wine world. As your Wine Scout, I will use all my connections and insider info to personalize only the best wines for your palate, style and budget. After all, it’s my job to fill your cellar (and your glass) with wines you enjoy.