ABOUT CELLARMASTERS

Members of Cellarmasters enjoy approximately 25 events annually which focus on fine wine and its proper association with equally fine cuisine. Most of these events provide opportunities to learn about wine. They also offer a pleasurable social setting in which the experience can be shared with others with a common interest.

History Members Activities Officers Board of Directors

HISTORY

Cellarmasters was formed in 1981 as a local affiliate of the national 20/20 wine organization. There were three founders: Ed Moody, known in Kansas City as Gomer of Gomer's Wine Shops; A. G. Eddy, owner of Eddy's South and The Connoisseur's Table; and Chris Woelk, escapee from the corporate world, former vineyard owner, currently a berry farmer.

Originally, members attended tastings after receiving personal invitations from the founders. Meetings were held at Ed Moody's home. Later, they were moved to The Connoisseur's Table.

Larry Houston was the first elected President, succeeded by John Wright from 1982-1984. During the latter time period the members, approximately 20, decided to form an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating its members about the wonderful world of wine. We were incorporated as Cellarmasters of Kansas City at that time.

From 1984 onward, the club has been lead by a succession of officers. The goal has been to bring new ideas and leadership to sustain vibrancy and excitement in the experience of wine. That was exactly what the founders wanted. The tradition continues. Past Presidents serve on the Board of Directors which plans all club activities.

In the history of Cellarmasters, A. G. Eddy deserves special recognition. He served as Treasurer for over 8 years, shepherding the club through good and bad times.Without his good services and dedication, the organization may not have survived.

Today, Cellarmasters of Kansas City has sufficient members, continuing and new, to sustain this history. You will see from the schedule of events that we offer varied and comprehensive opportunities to experience fine wines and wine with food.

It may not be as obvious that tastings and other events are planned, organized and presented by members. Depending on the experience and interests of Past Presidents, present officers, and members who are involved in the wine trade or restaurants, we are able to keep members abreast of developments in the international wine market. We consistently strive to offer access to the highest quality and most interesting wines.

Now that Cellarmasters has passed its 20th anniversary, all of us in the club's leadership intend to make the next 20 years more educational, more flavorful, more fun, and more spectacular.


MEMBERS

There are approximately 150 dues paying members. Interest in fine wine is the common bond, but it is an extremely varied group. Some members have been active from the start of the club over 20 years ago. Every year there are new members. Some members are professionals in the wine trade or restaurant business. Most come from a range of life experiences in which wine is not the central focus. Some members have extensive experience in collecting and consuming fine wines. Some are just beginning to learn about the world of wine and are still searching for their taste preferences and an appropriate level of involvement. Although conversations at our tastings involve discussion and analysis of the wines, we also enjoy and discuss other widely varied topics. Above all, we want to share the experience of wine and its association with food in a friendly, supportive environment.

ACTIVITIES

Tastings are held every other Monday throughout the year, skipping over holiday weekends. Tastings are of many kinds: most recent vintage of a particular wine, wines of a region, comparison tasting of wines of the same grape variety from different parts of the world, or different vintages of the same wine. Over 12 months, tastings offer exposure to hundreds of wines of many kinds from all parts of the wine world. See the schedule (link) of events and results (link) of tastings for the details of what we have been doing this year.

Some tastings pair wine with food such as Spanish wines with tapas, French wines with bistro food, wines of Alsace with food of that region, dessert wines with desserts among others.

An annual Holiday Dinner in December offers an elegant meal with exceptional wines as a fitting close to our calendar year. Over the years we have also had a Spring and/or a Fall picnic, a St. Patrick's Day party, a cassoulet competition, and other similar social events.

OFFICERS FOR 2000

President: Paul Anctil
Vice President: Paula Godwin
Treasurer: Ellen D'Amato
Recording Secretary: Robert Noecker
Special events: Donna Cook
Phone Line: Kathy Ball
Newsletter: Damon Mountford


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors includes Past Presidents. Those now active on the Board are:

(I'll add these names later.)