Bob is an area native. He was born and raised in Clearwater. The third generation of this family business, his B-21 career started after graduating from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. Bob has managed B-21 since 1981. As B-21's lead fine wine buyer in France, Italy, Australia, Spain, South Africa and New Zealand, Bob visits these countries each year tasting thousands of wines. Extensive traveling has made B-21 well known throughout the wine-world.

Bob has 4 children; Shannon-27, Rob-25, Ashley-Ann -22, and Shaun-18. When he's not traveling to the world's best vineyards, Bob enjoys reading, riding his motorcycle, wake-boarding and wake-surfing on Lake Tarpon.

Bob's Picks

I was Florida born and B-21 raised.  Since the age of 10 I have accompanied my father throughout the years on buying trips all over world gaining knowledge on wine, food, and culture. Learning about the best from the best, it was inevitable that I would end up sharing my father’s love for Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy. 

I graduated from Florida State University in 2005 with a degree in English Literature and a minor in Psychology.  I gained managerial experience working in retail while living in New York City.  From the Big Apple I moved to Thailand for a change of pace.  I emerged myself village-bound as an English teacher, served the community as a tutor and sponsored several charitable functions. Upon my return back to the states I am now a certified Sommelier. As a fourth generation B-21’er and 2 years of professional experience under my belt, I’ve discovered an affinity for South American wines.  I am now B-21’s Argentine and Chilean correspondent seeking out the “stars of the southern hemisphere”.  When I’m not a star searcher its a given that I will be off traveling, reading, jamming out to various decades of music, and/ or boating

Shannon's Picks

I’ve lived in the Bahamas and South America but the Tampa Bay area is the only place I’ve ever called home. Unless you count B-21 where you could find me on a daily basis since 1992.

Most of my wine education and development has occurred here at B-21 as well as on tasting trips to France, Italy, California, Oregon and Australia. I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to a wide variety of wines from every corner of the globe and tasted with some of the brightest people in wine appreciation on a regular basis. In that time I’ve come to love all types of wines.

But my specialty is Italy especially the wines made from indigenous varietals. I will taste thousands of Italian wines annually both here and there and enjoy every moment. There are so many great Italian wines to choose from. Not a bad thing at all.

Zinfandel and Old Vine wines is another obsession of mine. This topic is much trickier but no less fascinating. 

Steve's Picks

In 1986, I wandered desultorily into a career in the wine and liquor industry. Beginning simply as a stockboy that wanted to be useful and had no real idea of what to do with my life, the allure of the business soon influenced my outlook and my future plans. So many different products, so many different countries, I wanted to learn them all. Of course I realize now how foolish that was, but I had to try.

Over the last few years, 20+ yrs. in, I have come to understand my limitations (or at least some) and have decided to try to do the best with what I enjoy the most and what I feel I can communicate to people with the greatest efficacy; in essence, to specialize. The wines of France have become my focus. Though I enjoy them broadly,  I  follow Bordeaux, which I consider the cradle of wine civilization, most intently. My interest in Bordeaux extends  correlatively, even into Chile and Washington state, where wines are often styled after those of the Bordeaux.  

B-21 has become my home and it would be my pleasure to share with you my thoughts and experiences relative to what we do here: give you our best, from here and there, and I am happy to be a part of it.

Rhett's Picks

Having been at B-21 since 2002, I have had the opportunity to learn about and taste some of the most amazing wines.  I’ve found favorites from all over the world, but I tend to favor the wines of Spain. 

Spain has long been a region of interest for me, even since I was a little girl.  Having grown up as a child in Latin America (Costa Rica and Venezuela), the Spanish language comes natural to me.  At the international school I attended during my primary years, we often had history lessons on Spain as it related to Venezuela.  My history teacher hailed from Madrid, and she would tell us about Spanish culture and teach us "Castellano" rather than "Español".  For a solid year my "S" sounded like "TH", appropriately reflecting her dialect.  Later in life, my brother was fortunate enough to attend the University of Madrid and I remember looking through his pictures after he participated in the "Running of the Bulls" being envious (and thinking he was nuts)! 

So now that I am older (and wiser) I am able to experience Spain for its best treasures - El Vino!  As B-21's Spanish Wine Advocate, it is my mission keep you informed on the latest news and reviews from the heart of Spain, and to be a tireless seeker of "El Mejor Vino de España" (the best wine from Spain).  

Summer's Picks

I was born an Army brat in what was, at the time, Frankfurt, West Germany. I then spent nine  years in a small suburb outside of Chicago. My family made the trek to Florida’s Gulf Coast in 1983 where I remain to this day. Many of you may remember me from my days at St. Larry’s of Palm Harbor. It was there where I cut my teeth on countless wines and was ultimately acquainted with B-21 Proprietor and local force of nature, Bob Sprentall.

I attended the University of South Florida for both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Political Science, Anthropology, and History. Before joining B-21 I worked as an archivist in Special Collections for the university and as a lecturer for the Panama Canal Museum. In October 2009, I signed on with B-21 to handle the fantastic and varied wines of California. Right now I spend much of my time pouring over past growing seasons and the region’s assorted soil types. When I’m not researching and penning articles for B-21 you can find me singing ridiculous songs to my dog, Willie, or passionately debating some highly random topic over cocktails with friends.

Shawn's Picks

I’ve been writing about food and wine for almost 25 years and eating and drinking with curiosity for much longer. Grew up in Cincinnati, the heartland’s first home of five-star restaurants and five way chili. Wine too. I lived down the pike from Meier’s wine stube, Ohio’s oldest winery, making tolerable ports and sparkling juices. When I saw the world outside, I had ham biscuits in Tidewater, tacos in San Francisco, North Carolina barbecue and Louisiana catfish. That’s where I turned pro, shifting from county zoning cases, cop stories and a very brief stint covering the war in El Salvador. For the last 20 years I’ve been in Florida writing first for the Orlando Sentinel and then for the St. Petersburg Times, eating my way from the shadow of the Mouse to Tampa Bay and the Grouper Sandwich Islands.

Since then I’ve tramped vineyards on both sides of the Atlantic but one treasure I found on this coast was a skinny liquor store on U.S. 19 just short of the county line called B-21. “You gotta check it out,’’ a wine friend insisted. I made no discovery, smart wine buyers all over the area and vintners around the world knew B-21 for its vast selection, price and care. And the smartest staff any merchant, importer or shopper could want. Among this noble crew of connoisseurs, I’m a lowly field blend, but then my favorite red grapes have always been the lusty peasant workhorses like zinfandel, grenache and carignane. Among whites I do root for the elegant elite, but my choice is the underdog riesling. No matter the varietal, I’m a devotee of wine every day wine, sometimes it’s everyday stuff, sometimes grander vintages. But wine is a part of my every day. And yours.

I’ll keep you informed in my writings on the B-Blog.

Chris' Picks