TOM WARK, PARTNER
tom@warkcommunications.com
Tom Wark began his career in public and media communications in 1990 when he joined Gracelyn Associates, one of the industry’s premier wine communications firms. There he worked with a number of different clients including Glen Ellen Winery, Lindemans, Roederer Estate, Obester Winery, Infinity Motors, Handley Cellars, Clos Pegase and Marrimar Torres among them. In 1994 Wark took his communications skills and media contacts in-house, forming LeftBank Communications, a wine-oriented communications firm offering public and media relations, advertising services, and marketing consulting. Under his own roof, Wark attracted a number of diverse clients from Foppiano Vineyards, Matanzas Creek Winery, Mayo Family Winery and Llano Estacado Winery to Family Winemakers of California, The America’s Top Black Chef Awards, Winebid.com and the Paso Robles Vintners & Growers Association.

Closing LeftBank Communication in 1999, Wark took the position of Director of Content & Communications with auction house Winebid.com.

In 2001 Wark returned to sole proprietorship opening, Wark Communications, where he continues to focus his skills and experience promoting the brands, products and services of wine industry clients.

In addition to running Wark Communications, Tom is the Executive Director of the Specialty Wine Retailers Association where he works on behalf of specialty wine merchants and consumers to broaden access to wine in America. Tom also is publisher of the popular wine industry blog, FERMENTATION: The Daily Wine Blog. Tom is a frequent speaker and panelist at wine business events across the country where he often speaks to issues of public relations, new media, blogging and wine regulations. He live is Sonoma, California.