Robert Ilko, Wine Industry Blogger, WSET/SWE 

My story is that my wife and I remodeled our home and we asked for wine racks in the kitchen.  While the remodel was being done, we went out to a local wine store to buy "a few bottles".  We read short reviews by the store  about each wine. Purchased some based on label, some based on varietal, and most based on price. A few bottles at a time added up. Well, it turned out to be a hundred bottles of wine and the kicker is that they all were reds. Yep, not one white wine!  

Since the remodel, we have gone through all the reds and now added whites and Rose to our collection.  We have developed a taste for particular wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, Bourdeaux, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Those wines don't define they type of wine drinkers were are.  We like to try new varietals as well to expand our appreciation for wine.  

In the past number of years, we have joined the San Diego Wine Guild that organizes monthly wine tastings with winemakers and Sommeliers.  Robert has joined the board and is involved in nearly every aspect of the guild.  By being more involved in the guild, Robert and Janet volunteer with wine competitions where they have opportunity to immerse themselves in learning about wines.  Robert has been the President, Vice-President, Immediate Past President and currently Logistics Co-Chair of the San Diego Wine Guild. At the Robert Whitley (Wine Competitions Productions) run by Competition Director

Rich Cook, they get to talk with winemakers, wine critics and Sommeliers.  

Robert lives with his wife Janet in Scripps Ranch, California.  Together we enjoy different wines as they have varying preferences which leads to interesting conversations about wine. Wine for many people is about the social side of wine drinking.  For us, it is too. Whether it is the people you are with or something about the winemaker that makes wine just that much better.  

My blogs are intended to help show you what I think good wine is but also assist you to be more knowledgeable about how to be a better wine drinker.   After all, it is the wine talking.

Janet Ilko, Director of Wine Acquisitions

A Ying and Yang partnership between Robert and Janet when it comes to wine preferences and perspectives.  We work together to compliment each other and challenge one another.  Janet helps direct which wines we should add to our cellar and the wines worthy of sharing with our wine blog followers.  Being a long time educator and administrator, Janet is wonderful in focusing the blogs to be approachable no matter the level of wine sophistication of the reader.  

Janet is involved in the San Diego Wine Guild for many years and was responsible for the Winter Holiday Bubbly Parties.  Her skill in coordinating multiple people and tasks come easy to her.  Over the past number of years Janet to has participated in professional wine tasting competitions in San Diego under Robert Whitley and Rich Cook.  

Alicia Rhoads, Wine Acquisitions Manager

Alicia is instrumental in assisting Robert and Janet in managing the wines selected for the blog, wineries and winemakers to include. She brings youth and a different outlook on wines that can be a check and balance on our wine blogging. Her travels through Europe have broadened our view of wines including some unique varietals from Croatia, France and Hungary.  Despite her young age, Alicia has years of experience and a great palate. Her love of wine began as a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she joined her first wine club at of all places a 1909 schoolhouse for Baileyana, Cadre, Tangent and True Myth wines.  Alicia is also a professional educator and coach.