| Name | Title | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
Robert Duffy |
Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPO / CTO) | Profile |
The Smirnoff brand was founded in 1864 by Piotr Arseneevich (P.A.) Smirnov and before long, he became one of the most famous vodka makers in Russia. In 1886, he even received the Tsar`s special designation as a Purveyor of the Imperial Court, which is a fancy way of saying Official Vodka-Maker of Tsar Type People. This was based both on the fact that his vodkas were delicious and that Tsars tend to like to make things official. When the Bolsheviks took over, the distilleries were shut down and P.A.`s son Vladimir was chased out of town with pitchforks and also dinner forks, since the whole thing happened suddenly and not everyone had a pitchfork with them. Vladimir Smirnov was able to flee to Constantinople and then eventually settle in France where he sold vodka under the name “Smirnoff.” Now safely disguised by a new name and a slightly offensive fake French accent, Vladimir revived the brand. Lots of other interesting stuff happened. Vladimir married a model and sang in a band and grew a series of beards, but probably the best thing he did was bring a triple distilled, 10 times filtered, award winning, cola-improving, martini-making vodka to the world. For former czars and current stars. For vodka connoisseurs and people who just like vodka. For everybody.
Named after the Conecuh Ridge area in Alabama, where Clyde May turned his moonshine into whiskey, Conecuh Brands, pronounced ka-neck-uh, was founded in 2014 and has become a creative incubator of super-premium spirit brands. Our brands stand out because they are built around an authentic story with exceptional packaging and award-winning taste. Our 30+ person team means our brands are distributed in all 50 states and globally, supported with flawless execution and strong brand-building investment.
A well known wine expert, David Milligan has 40 years experience in the wine business in Europe and the United States. He trained with leading English companies and was wine buyer for its largest brewery group, where he created the No 1 selling table wine brand. His over 30 years experience in the US, based in New Orleans, Miami and New York, where he served as President of Seagram, Chateau and Estate Wines Co, have given him an in depth knowledge of the imported wine business in the United States. He is the author of the "All Color Book of Wine", numerous magazine and newspaper articles and has appeared on many television shows. He is a member of several international wine and food societies, is Regent Emeritus of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in New York and a Grand Officer of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. He started his own company in 1995 to represent top Producers of French wine in the United States.
Total Wine & More is America‘s Wine Superstore®—the country‘s largest independent retailer of fine wine. We started in 1991 when brothers David and Robert Trone opened two wine stores in Delaware. We currently operate over 149 superstores across 20 states and are growing rapidly. Our typical store carries more than 8,000 world-class wines from every wine-producing region in the world. In addition, Total Wine & More carries more than 2,500 beers, from America‘s most popular beers to hard-to-find microbrews and imports, and more than 3,000 different spirits from every price range and category. Total Wine & More is committed to having the lowest prices on wine, beer and spirits every day. Our strength is our people. We are always looking for motivated, talented people who are interested in working for a company with entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for providing best-in-class service. Our retail stores and corporate office (called the Store Support Center) provide opportunities for career growth and advancement. We strive to ensure that all Team Members feel that they are a part of the business, as they are valuable resources to our guests, co-workers and communities. Whether you are new to the world of wine or a great wine enthusiast, we are dedicated to bringing you the Total Wine Experience!
When we opened the doors to our beach town brewpub on Coronado Island in 1996, we wanted it to be the kind of place where friends could enjoy great beer, a good meal and a laid-back atmosphere. Now, years later, our brewery`s a lot bigger and we`ve gotten a number of awards. But we`re still following that same dream: brewing exceptionally balanced beer to an ever-growing family that seeks an undeniable coastal vibe, and shares our passion for great beer.