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-25, Rob-23 (USN), Ashley-Ann -21 (Lynchburg College), and Shaun-17. 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 Top Ten Wines

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 Top Ten Wines

A Florida native, I was born & raised in the Tampa area and have been in the wine & spirits business for about 26 years... the past 18 years at B21. I specialize in all spirits as well as wines from California, Australia & Italy. Since being at B-21 I've traveled to Italy, France, Chile & Argentina. I have a degree in Business from the University of Florida, class of 1982, and am an avid Gator fan. When I'm not at B-21, I enjoy travelling, activities with my family, and basketball. I love sushi, a great steak and spicy Thai food.

Mark's Top Ten Wines

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 Top Ten Wines

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 Top Ten Wines
 

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 Top Ten Wines