Backroom Wines : Chris Foster

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Chris Foster

Born and raised in Colorado, I fell into the wine business quite by accident in 2002. I needed a part-time gig to simply help pay the bills, and the local “liquor store” across the street from my apartment was hiring. I was thrilled to get a discount on beer. Eventually, I realized that I was working in a first-class wine shop, and the owner noticed that I had a fairly natural palate. I was hooked, and I quit my “real” job to start working with wine full-time. Three years flew by, after which I made the move to distribution to learn a new aspect of the business. After an educational and fun year, I moved to Napa in 2006, kind of on a whim. I had no job, no housing, and I was wildly under-funded.

It has now been more than six years since I made the move west, and I would say that it has been a total success. Five years of winery work led me to Back Room Wines in February of 2011, and I am pleased to say that it is the best job that I have ever had.

My palate is pretty diverse, but I lean toward restrained yet well-fruited wines. “Balance” has become wine cliché, but I am all about balance. Get in touch and ask me what my current favorites are! I will always welcome the opportunity to talk wine with you. Phone the shop or email (Chris@BackRoomWines.com) me anytime. To stay up to date with all of my wine discoveries and general musings, check me out on Twitter @NapaChris.

I live in Napa with my girlfriend Marissa (she works at ZD Wines). We cook at home more than we go out, but we make sure to take full advantage of all the great restaurants that Napa has to offer. Napa is an amazing place to live and work, and I am so very thankful to be here.

One last thought . . .as wine merchants, Dan and I have to be objective when selecting wines for the shop. It's our job. Inevitably, people always ask me, "What do you like?" Ask and you shall receive: here is a link to my "Subjective Picks." Check 'em out!