Ian Mendelsohn
In the deepest part of Gonnet's cellar in Champagne, I saw a brick inscribed with "1784" meaning this brick was inscribed when Maria Antoinette was still Queen of France—one of thousands of moments over 25 years that cannot be planned, purchased, or found in any guidebook. These moments come from relationships: the winemaker who opens his family cellar because we've known each other for 15 years, the Michelin chef who reserves his best table because we worked together in Las Vegas, the museum curator who arranges private access because the estate owner made the introduction.
Vineyard Confidential exists because these experiences should be shared, not hoarded. What began at Windows on the World—training under Andrea Immer MS, Kevin Zraly, and Dale DeGroff—became a career cultivating relationships with winemakers, Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and Michelin-starred chefs across the world. From Christie's Auction House, earning a Diploma from the WSET and working with three Masters of Wine while managing wine sales to global collectors—to building beverage programs for the Wynn Hotel, the Mirage Hotel, Ducasse, Savoy, and Robuchon. Owning a retail wine store in Maryland, a wine bar and restaurant group in Atlanta. Each experience added connections that now define what we can offer: access money alone cannot buy.
The most valuable education came from the vineyards themselves—25 years traveling wine regions not as a tourist, but as a student of place. The families who shared their tables. The winemakers who opened library cellars. The chefs, artists, and craftsmen who revealed their regions beyond what any guidebook describes. Those relationships are Vineyard Confidential's foundation. Wine opens doors. I've spent 25 years learning which doors to open and who to open them for.
Our Philosophy
Over 25 years, I've learned that the best wines aren't always the most expensive—they're the ones true to their place. Authentic expressions from family estates where tradition meets innovation, where respect for the land guides decisions, where winemakers honor history without being bound by it.
That philosophy extends to every experience we create. This isn't about status, scores or bottle price. It's about discovering regions through honest wines, connecting with families who share their stories, and understanding place through the people who've shaped it for generations. Wine opens doors—to cellars, yes, but more importantly to the chefs, artisans, history and cultural institutions that reveal what a region and its’ people truly mean.
The best travel experiences require relationships built over decades and trust earned through shared passion. That's what we offer.
Our Approach
Wine and spirits relationships provide the structure. Your interests—art, cuisine, culture, sports—define the journey. Every experience is custom-designed for private groups.
Ian personally leads 6-8 journeys annually, with additional experiences guided by carefully vetted wine professionals—sommeliers, wine directors, and spirits experts selected for their expertise, hospitality instincts, and ability to create genuine connections.