Birk O'Halloran

Began by studying for a career in hotel and restaurant at Cornell University, but quickly decided that drinking was the best part of the job. After graduating college he continued his training at the International Wine Guild to receive his sommelier certification then went on to open and operate three wine stores in three years. The last being recognized as Best Wine Shop in NJ by NJ Monthly and one of eight great wine shops across the US by Imbibe Magazine. Presently he works as the head of sales and marketing for a rising star wine importer A.I. Selections. A.I. Selections supplies wines to top end restaurants throughout New York, Colorado, California and several other major cities including nearly every three and four star rated restaurant in Manhattan. His position at A.I. has provided him the opportunity to work with the top chefs and sommeliers in the country and given him a unique network from which to pull talent for Eat, ink. In 2010 Birk ventured into another area of wine by co-founding Iconic Wine, a Napa, CA based boutique wine company that just celebrated the release of their second vintage.