Michael Wheeler Wins the 2003 Wine Personality of the Year Award
Michael Wheeler, a principal in Polaner Selections, was overwhelmingly voted the 2003 Wine Personality of the Year Award today.
Michael Wheeler
Michael started out in retail years ago, then aided Winebow in becoming a major player in the national wine market. Next, he was off to Michael Skurnik Wines, where he was instrumental in their leap from a small house to a major, quality distributorship.
Three years ago, Mr. Wheeler left Skurnik to become a principal in Polaner Selections. That company is now one of the hottest distributorships in the country. Along with Douglas Polaner and Tina Fischer, Mr. Wheeler has propelled Polaner Selections from a small start-up to a major force in the New York/New Jersey market.
But all this gives little sense of what makes Michael Wheeler the man of the year. Mike is not just a salesman. Mike is not a Lomanesque brand pusher.
Mike Wheeler makes his customers, colleagues and suppliers remember what is joyful about wine. Why wine and food can be such a grand and deep pleasure for all of us. Mike Wheeler has mastered the fine art of communicating his enthusiasm and making it contagious. The man is a walking, talking, irresistible explosion of generosity and joie de vivre.
Mr. Wheeler is not the most powerful person in the wine trade. But he is what every one of us in the trade wishes they could be.
Congratulations to Michael Wheeler, Wine Personality of the Year.
michael wheeler is under arrest!
no, he's been kidnapped by Harmon Skurnik and is being held for on million dollars ransom.
Congratulations to Mr. Wheeler! It's good to know I voted for the winner.
It is also interesting to find out that he is not the most powerful person in the wine trade. At our Friday Strategy Sessions, when dealing with major questions, we've always considered "What's Wheeler going to say about this?"
David Lillie must be pissed. I know that i am.
You won four years ago.
David won in 2001.
C'mon. Give other people a chance!
we are all won
Mazel Tov!
This is diifferent from the prestigious WIWP Award, though, right?
Yes, it is different.
From what I hear, Brian Loring is a shoe-in for the WIWPie
Three cheers for this guy...whoever he is!
wheel is turnin and he can't slow down. can't let go and he can't hold on. can't go back and he can't stand still. if the thunder don't get him than the lightnin will.