Colin Bentley Williams

The Appalachian Mountains have always given me a profound sense of peace, a love for nature, and a sense of place in this world. It truly was my second childhood home. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many in the region were left devastated by the flooding and a loss of infrastructure. Those affected included family friends, co-workers, small business owners, and restaurants who worked with me in the wine industry. As a part of Tryon Distributing's disaster relief efforts, I helped assist in coordinating fundraising efforts. Thanks to many generous suppliers worldwide, we were able to raise $10,750! While I recognize the communities of Western North Carolina will take years to rebuild, grieve, and recover, I am filled with hope to have played a part in bringing a small measure of comfort to those affected during an incredibly difficult time.

I wrote my WSET Diploma Thesis paper on the techniques and results of Regenerative Farming. I interviewed vineyard managers from around the globe on their Regenerative farming practices and their findings. The results of those practices, restoring the health and potential of vineyard land is tremendously moving.

After partnering with brands and improving their sales programs, winemakers have graciously invited me to tour their vineyards to learn first hand about their farming and winemaking practices.

In my time as Brand Manager, I managed a portfolio of 120+ wine brands that is steadily growing. While I'm proud of that work, my favorite part of my job is launching new brands and helping them grow. I also enjoy revitalizing underappreciated brands.

Working at Queen City Craft & Gourmet and helping to establish a brand-new restaurant from the ground up was a thrilling experience. Owners Charles and Cat Read, and Executive Chef Jon Yarborough were wonderful to work with, and I’m thankful that they entrusted me with the wine program at one of South Charlotte’s best independent restaurants.

Studying wine through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018 was a very challenging and rewarding process which equipped me to launch a serious career in the beverage industry. The training gave me a solid foundation to beginning my lifelong journey of learning about the world of wine. Many thanks to the network of wonderful sommeliers who offered their support and assistance.

Working for wine access was everything you imagine a tech startup to be. We had a pingpong table in the break room, everyone wore multiple hats, and some co-workers commuted to work via skateboard. Growth in the company was fast and exciting. Everyone I rubbed shoulders with was unique, but unanimously enthusiastic about good food and wine. This was the moment where I really felt like I had met my people. During my time there, I learned from our resident Master of Wine, and he inspired the spark of a new interest that would become a lifelong passion of mine.

During my time at Savannah College of Art and Design, I was accepted to their Lacoste, France Campus to study Roman Art & Architecture and Performing Arts. The campus was tucked into a limestone hillside carved away in the medieval era into a winding series of cobblestone paths, arched caves, and quaint residences overlooking the bounteous Luberon Valley. It was an unforgettable experience and deepened my appreciation for history, French culture, and beautifully cultivated land.

My time as a performing arts student at Savannah College of Art and Design was nothing short of spectacular. My enthusiasm for storytelling was tempered and trained through studying Performing Arts.  I also received some world-class training in graphic design, videography, and (most importantly) creative collaboration. During my time there I had the opportunity to receive hands-on experience working on several student films, as well as stage productions. One thing SCAD did really well was inviting successful, seasoned artists to festivals to give students the opportunity to interview them. I made a point to ask each famous actor how they balance their work and family life. The overwhelming majority of the actors we interviewed were refreshingly honest and straightforward enough to admit that it's almost impossible for most actors to enjoy success in both their careers and their family life. After some serious contemplation, I decided to shift gears in my career away from acting to not lose sight of what was most important to me. Nonetheless, my experiences at SCAD gave me the skills I needed to network effectively, collaborate creatively, and to tell stories in a compelling way that reaches the audience.