Welcome to Episode 1195 in which Steve Raye interviews Steve Kreps, in this installment of Get US Market Ready With Italian Wine People, on the Italian Wine Podcast. About today’s guest: Steve Kreps has been a Navy Air Traffic Controller, manager for some of the largest wine and spirits companies in the country, founder of three successful businesses, the last of which is fine wine import, marketing and sales company Quintessential. He is a pilot, motorcycle enthusiast, outdoorsman, history buff, antique gun collector and, most important, a husband, father and grandfather. A full, and some might say unexpected life for a guy who grew up as the oldest of three children to a purchasing manager and a homemaker in 1950s St. Louis. This Missouri native with a definite “take charge” attitude and outlook on life attended the University of Missouri and served four years in the U.S. Navy as an air traffic controller and pilot during the Vietnam era. Fresh out of the service in 1973, Steve got his start in the wine industry as a sales representative and merchandiser. He rose through the sales ranks at such prestigious companies as Schieffelin & Somerset and Paterno Imports (now Terlato Wines), where he was National Sales Manager. In 1988, the entrepreneurial spirit moved Steve to found Marquis Selections, a wine brokerage company covering the Midwest for fine premium and ultra-premium wines. So loyal was Marquis Selections to its brands, and visa versa, that a number of those brands followed Steve to Caravelle Wine Selections, which he founded in 1998 as a fine wine import and marketing company with Bordeaux’ Baron Philippe de Rothschild and others. In 2002, Steve sold his partnership in Caravelle to form Quintessential. With Quintessential, Steve is realizing his dream to nurture a roster of family-owned wineries whose wines reflect the best expressions and highest quality of their particular appellations. He is doing so with his two sons – Dennis, his partner in Quintessential, who runs the company from its headquarters in a former bank building in Napa, CA, and Steve Jr., who heads up the California distribution company. Learn more: www.quintessentialwines.com More about the host Steve Raye: Steve Raye of Bevology Inc originally joined our weekly lineup with narrations from his book “How to get US Market Ready” - but everyone just loved him so much, we brought him back with this series of interviews that informs and inspires! Each week he speaks to industry professionals; guests who have gained valuable experience in the Italian wine sector and have insightful tips and stories that can help anyone who wants to learn about getting US Market Ready! To learn more visit: Website: www.bevologyinc.com/ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram @italianwinepodcast Facebook @ItalianWinePodcast Twitter @itawinepodcast Tiktok @MammaJumboShrimp LinkedIn @ItalianWinePodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!