N29 W23810 Woodgate Ct W Pewaukee, WI 53072-6250
Phone: (262) 970-7200 Fax: (262) 970-9066
Employee Directory
Robert Abendroth
email: robert.abendroth@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Bob was born in a small shack on the Orchard Country Estate, this initiated his love for fine wines. He had to walk two miles through the snow to tend the vineyards as a young boy. Bob\'s wine career began as a consumer in his late 20\'s. After spending 17 years as a state employee, a part time position in wine retail became available which very soon became a full time position as a buyer of wine, spirits and beer for 10 years giving him a strong background in these areas as well as a good understanding of what it\'s like on the other side of the counter. Bob left retail in November 2005 to join Purple Feet Wines. His favorite varietals include Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Syrah for reds; Gewurztraminer and Riesling for whites.
Chris Coleman
email: chris.coleman@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Chris has been in the food service industry for over 20 years. He started out as a \"fry guy\", moved to college food service, then on to fine dining, which lead him to a partnership in a steakhouse & brew pub in central Wisconsin. His passion for wine began 10 years ago after having to taste all of the 75 wines on his steakhouse wine list... he \"hated\" (loved) the experience! He has since been tasting and collecting wine and his passion for wine led him to build a wine cellar to house his (and his wife\'s!) collection. His wife Kelly\'s passion for wine works well with Chris\' new career and you may see her helping out at tasting events from time to time. Chris has two daughters who have learned to select particular bottles from the cellar and bring them up for dinner (Cabernet, Dad?). Chris will be expanding the central Wisconsin market to bring quality wines with great value to restaurateurs and retailers in the area!
Melanie Denhart, CWE, Milwaukee Sales Manager
email: melanie.denhart@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Melanie has long enjoyed customer service and hospitality as a career option. After graduating from UW-Stout in Hotel/Restaurant Management, she spent 15 years in restaurant mmgmt and hotel sales but bar tending has always been her favorite gig. On-premise sales with a local distributor, running a restaurant wine program and 4 years in a large wine/liquor store was enough to change her mind. Teaching wine classes was a highpoint so after reading and tasting for four years, she passed the CWE exam from the Society of Wine Educators. In addition she has studied with numerous Master Sommeliers and enjoys every minute of learning. Someday Melanie hopes to remember more than she has forgotten. She is honored to be working with such a terrific group of people, representing some outstanding stories, families and grapes.
Dave Gervais
email: dave.gervais@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
It\'s safe to say that Dave Gervais is as much a connoisseur of wine as he is someone who sells it. This is a passion that has been growing for Dave all of his life, literally, ever since he was a kid. In the mid 1970\'s, Dave forced his younger brother (and pet Dachshund) to sit through countless reenactments of the famous Paul Masson wine ads featuring Orson Wells. Eventually both Orson and the reenactments passed on, but Dave\'s burgeoning interest in wine did not. He gave his parents quite a scare in the 1980\'s when he got caught hitchhiking to Cedarburg to participate in the grape stomping competition they have in the fall. He got legit in the 1990\'s, though, when he took his first job in the industry at the long-defunct Wisconsin Liquors. Admittedly, at this time he was more into beer and keeping his hair feathered, but he eventually came around to realize that In Vino Veritas. Like a fine Lambrusco, Dave has aged well. He is here to serve his customers with all of the knowledge he has acquired over the years, for the thing in life that truly makes it great -- Wine.
Rolfe Hanson
email: rolfe.hanson@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Rolfe has worked on and off with wine and spirits since 1988. He has retail, restaurant, wine bar experience and now provides wine and spirits to these same venues. Rolfe previouly worked in Seattle and Madison and now lives with his family in Hayward coving the north part of Wisconsin. Rolfe spends his spare time with his family, his hobbies including cooking, gardening, moutain biking and cross country skiing.
Janet Janisse
email: janet.janisse@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Janet grew up in Franklin, which at the time was a quiet, farming community in Milwaukee County. While attending UW-Whitewater she began working the summer months in Door County. After graduation, Janet decided to work \"one more season\" in the Door. Years later, with her roots buried deep, she\'s still there, raising her three boys. Janet\'s\' passion & appreciation for wine began well before she was the wine buyer for restaurants, & the resorts she managed. Representing many \"smaller\" family owned & operated wineries (who put their heart & soul into every vintage they produce) is just one of the reasons Janet is proud to have been at Purple Feet since 2004. Oh...and she just loves wine!
Nate Norfolk
email: nate.norfolk@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Nate was initiated into the retail side of the wine business at the tender age of twenty. There has been no looking back since. After almost nine years selling thousands of different wines to the good people on Milwaukee\'s east side, Nate joined Purple Feet in April of 2007. In March of 2008, Nate became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Despite his ever present smile and laughter, he is very serious about all things wine. He\'s the kind of guy that knows the difference between TBA and TCA, just ask him. He\'s the first in line to help all of his customers.
David Oliver Northern Area Sales Manager
email: david.oliver@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
David spent over 20 years in the restaurant business in New York City, Charleston, SC and Chicago. His passion for that industry was overpowered by his passion for wine. He spent a year working in a retail wine shop in Chicago before moving to Appleton with the intent of opening his own store. After having two children, David decided that selling wine to these stores (and restaurants) would be a better choice. He is married to Jane Oliver and has two beautiful children, Gwendolyn and Mallory.
John Ollenburg
email: john.ollenburg@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
More than 20 years a wine enthusiast and hobbyist, including winemaking, John springboarded into his current career by starting out professionally in wine retail. Quickly learning he excelled in the research and consultative side of customer service, he joined PFW more than 6 years ago. With regular domestic and international travel to continue his research directly with the winemakers, John brings his subject knowledge and passion to each and every customer. He built his own wine cellar, enjoys stocking it and enjoys sampling the inventory! With family support from Jess, Jenna and Matt, John stays active as a community volunteer and found time to receive the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the Arthritis Foundation.
Curt Riley
email: curt.riley@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Curt has enjoyed being a purveyor of fine wines since 1995. He has been a part of Team Purple\'s all star cast since May of 2006.
Elizabeth Tumas
email: elizabeth.tumas@purplefeetwines.net
phone:
Since joining PFW in February 2006, Beth has shared her love & enthusiasm of wine with many customers, both new & established in the Lake Geneva and surrounding areas. Working with the customer to determine the needs of the store or restaurant is a great part of the business for Beth. The needs change from one customer to the next and she welcomes the opportunity. The world of wine is so vast, that Beth continues to learn about wines and loves to share that knowledge with customers and friends.