The Journey…

Born in New Orleans and raised in Georgia, I have always been immersed in the culture of food and the ceremony that surrounds it.  Food was the fulcrum for lively conversation and many happy childhood moments, thanks to my parents, their southern roots and traditions. As I journeyed through college and found my way to Colorado, I expanded my scope of the culinary world with stints in Aspen and Boulder. Along the way, I discovered the joy of wine. 

I learned that wine was much more than an afterthought. Rather, it had the proclivity to elevate the dining experience.  It was a conversation piece, something that exhausted adjectives and thrilled the palate. Thus began my journey in wine -- being “forced” to drink Chateau Y’Quem straight from the bottle in the early days at Renaissance Restaurant in Aspen, to having a beer at Sherpa’s whereby pure luck, I met Master Sommelier, Bobby Stuckey. 

That chance meeting led to 7+ years at James Beard Award-winning Frasca Food and Wine, where I was fortunate enough to learn under the direction of Bobby, and side-by-side with many other talented wine professionals with whom I’ve been lucky enough to work.  I tested my way up the Sommelier ladder, earning the second highest accreditation, the Advanced Sommelier certification, and even sat for the famed Master Sommelier exam. Along the way I lifted my head for air long enough to convince my now wife, Rebecca, that she should go on a date with me, and perhaps get married, and then move to California.

We moved to St Helena in 2013, for my opportunity to run the wine program at Michelin 3-Star, The Restaurant at Meadowood. I immersed myself in the history and wines of Napa Valley and steered the restaurant towards the eventual Grand Award-winning wine list.  After the birth of our daughter Finley, I took a step away from the restaurant to find more time with my family. From there, I shifted to the winery side of the industry at Failla Wines, as Estate Director.  The opportunity allowed me to better understand the production side of wine while fostering relationships with many of the winemakers that had inspired me for what already seemed like a lifetime. 

Following the joint desire to be close to the mountains again and raise a child in a community full of endless opportunities, we moved to Bend in 2018. I found myself back in the restaurant industry, at Bos Taurus. Bos Taurus was a welcoming place to land, providing ample footing here in Bend, and the chance to meet so many great locals and visitors alike.

Meanwhile, there was this dream in the back of my mind. A dream to someday open a neighborhood wine shop – where collectors and novices alike journey through the world of wine. Last year I decided to embark on that journey, paving the road to opening Viaggio Wine Merchant. Viaggio, meaning “Journey” in Italian, surmises my journey in wine – and I am incredibly excited to share it with you all!

Buon Viaggio!

Benjamin Richardson

All photographs provided by Jimmy Hayes. A great friend, fellow Sommelier and insanely-talented photographer. To see more of Jimmy’s work and his new book, visit his website.