Rafael Flores founded Artisanal Cellars in 2007. His interest in wine began in Tucson, AZ while working at a tapas restaurant and finishing his undergraduate degree at UofA. The wine interest/hobby continued to grow while pursuing a Masters & PhD in Music. A part time job at an iconic wine shop near Lincoln Center, in New York City, quickly grew into a full time position and PhD studies began to compete with opportunities to attend tastings, and meet winemakers and importers. After living in NYC for a few years, Raf and his wife, Ariel, moved back to the Upper Valley area of Vermont, where they both have roots, and started the company soon after. Raf’s first wine love: Spanish Rioja.
Winthrop Pennock joined Artisanal Cellars in 2008, and became a partner in 2011, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the hospitality and wine industries. Winthrop’s journey began in the kitchens of Steamboat Springs, CO, where he worked after graduating from college. His passion for fine dining led him back East to the New England Culinary Institute, where he earned a degree in Restaurant Management and began honing his palate.
Following his education, Winthrop managed beverage programs at properties like the Three Mountain Inn and the Copper Beach Inn. After over two decades in the restaurant world, Winthrop sought a new challenge and helped open and grow Windham Wines in Brattleboro, VT, where his connection with Artisanal Cellars began. A buying trip to Austria with Rafael Flores solidified their shared vision, leading to Winthrop’s role in expanding Artisanal Cellars. Winthrop’s first wine love: A 1980 Joseph Phelps Cabernet.
Iacopo Di Teodoro (NYC, Portfolio Manager) became a partner in Artisanal Cellars in September 2015. His first step into the wine business was a Slow Food course in wine tasting followed by a Sommelier Degree in Tuscany: a perfect excuse to start to follow journalists and wander with them in the Italian countryside. Iacopo then did production cost analysis for a Tuscan winery while he was studying Economics at the University of Pisa, which easily turned into an excuse to work in the vineyards and in the cellar. After a quick experience in California he returned to Italy where he managed the sales of a group of wineries and he had fun writing articles on corrieredelvino.it. In January 2006 he joined Vignaioli Selection in NYC where he spent almost 10 years as a Sales Manager, and then as Vice President. It’s during the Vignaioli time that Iacopo becomes friends with Rafael and Winthrop and after a summer spent scouting Artisanal-minded wineries in every corner of the Italian peninsula, Iacopo joined the Artisanal team in 2015. Iac’s first wine love was the everyday bottle of the simplest version of Sangiovese.
Miguel “Gel” Flores was our wonderful warehouse manager and delivery driver (and Raf’s brother). Gel moved back from Colorado to help his brother start the company. Unfortunately he passed in 2021. Gel’s first wine love was a Frizzante Rose