History of World Class Wines

World Class Wines was founded in 1982 by its President, Marty Ullman. Originally it was an avocation and a means to bring fine wines of the world to Minnesota. No other distributor had sold wines of this level to that market. In 1984 World Class Wines was incorporated and in 1985 it became Marty's full time occupation. Diana Ullman worked the 1991 harvest in California and was soon hooked on the wine business. She officially joined World Class Wines in 1992 working in the office, later becoming Vice President/CFO.

Quote: "Balance & finesse should prevail; not power and weight"

Lee Codding
General Manager
Vice President

Favorite wine region to travel to:  Monterey County, California

Most surprising food and wine pairing I've experienced:   Skate with Chinon

People would be surprised to find out...That I once raised poultry commercially

I'm rather embarrassed by the fact that …  I drink 10 cups of coffee a day

Chris Griese
Vice President of Sales

Favorite wine region to travel to: Southern France.

Most surprising food and wine pairing I’ve experienced: Lamb's feet and Champagne

Instruments I play: Blues harp and guitar..not neccesarily in that order.

I’m rather embarrassed by the fact that … the recycler collects more wine bottles from our residence than the entire neighborhood combined.

Rick Larsen
Director of Operations

People would be surprised to find out … that I was voted "funniest in my class" in high school.  It was actually "most sarcastic", but they didn't have an official category for that.

If I wasn’t in the wine business, I’d be … I'd rather not think about it.

I’m rather embarrassed by the fact that … I voted for Jesse Ventura!

Annette Peters
Import Director

Most surprising food and wine pairing I’ve experienced: Sherry, Lustau Esquadrillo Amontillado with Roasted Beef crusted with bone marrow and oysters

People would be surprised to find out … that I shoot trap and skeet

If I wasn’t in the wine business, I’d be … a "nose" for the perfume industry

Dale Short
Sales

Best music to drink Champagne by: Andre Segovia

Best music to drink Pinot by: Terrence Blanchard, Joe Pass,
John Coltrane,Miles Davis

Best music to drink White Zin by: People do that?

Brandt Grandy
Sales

Favorite Movies:
Deer Hunter, Belle Epoque, Talladega Nights

People would be surprised to find out: I was in the U.S. Army for 3 years

If I wasn't in the wine business, I'd be...Complaining how expensive
Pinot Noir is.

John Daugherty
Sales

Favorite wine region to travel to: Anywhere the wine is good

Best music to drink Champagne by: War

If I wasn't in the wine business, I'd be ... spending too much money on
wine

Kristen Ringham
Sales

Instruments I play:
banjo, guitar, tin and low whistle, bodran

If I wasn't in the wine business, I'd be ...running a home for old
dogs

I'm rather embarrassed by the fact that ...I really wouldn't mind
living in a barn

Rikki Iglesias
Sales

People would be surprised to find out … My mother is a radio Disc Jockey and when I was growing up I was the mascot for her station. The KX92 chicken!

Best music to drink Pinot by: Sting

Chris Foster
Sales

Best music to drink White Zin by: New Kids on the Block (The early stuff)

Favorite wine region to travel to: Yarra Valley

People would be surprised to find out …I had a leading role in my high school musical.

Allisun Clemons
Supplier Coordinator/Brand
Support

Most surprising food and wine pairing I’ve experienced: Mad Dog & Velveeta

People would be surprised to find out … I lived out of a 1980 “Taxi Cab Yellow” Ford Falcon Wagon while backpacking in Australia & New Zealand in 2000