“My excitement for Pulido~Walker began with this sole focus: creating wines to compete on a global stage. My attraction to join the team was Mark and Donna’s philosophy: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ Every decision has a laser focus to produce the best wines possible.”
Austin’s first interest in wine derived from his experience as a classically trained chef. Austin has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts with a minor in food writing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. After an externship in Perigord, France, his love for wine drew him to Napa Valley where he was the executive sous chef at Michelin Star restaurants in the valley for five years. He then worked for three years at Miner Family Winery, learning the wine business, and afterward moving to Vineyard 29 for nine years as the director of hospitality. Austin’s hobbies are focused on cooking for friends and family, collecting wine, and traveling to global wine destinations.
