About Gary's Wine & Marketplace

Welcome to Gary's Wine & Marketplace!

Gary's Wine & Marketplace began as a small wine shop in Madison, New Jersey in 1987 and has grown to be one of the largest fine wine businesses in the New York metropolitan area, with stores in Northern New Jersey. Commitment to friendly, attentive service by knowledgeable employees and myriad wine and food events for the public set us apart from other wine stores.

We travel extensively each year to the wine-producing regions of the world, establishing relationships with winemakers and producers internationally, to expand both our knowledge of wine and our ability to bring you exceptional wines and exceptional values.

Our own "Discoveries" are distinctive wines we've discovered in our travels ... excellent wines that are unheralded by the wine critics and reviewers, and our volume of sales affords us the superior buying power to bring you popular selections at excellent prices as well.

As the internet wine business comes of age, Gary's has kept pace, taking steps to ensure a high quality of service, and to make our relationships with internet customers as personal as possible. You can always contact us for the kind of recommendations and advice that customers in our stores have come to rely on.

By joining our list of email subscribers, you can be assured of receiving opportunities to order special offer wines, great discoveries and hard-to-find wines as soon as they become available.

Our Mission Statement:

Above all else, our team strives to make Gary's Wine & Marketplace the kind of place where people love to shop. Our commitment to friendly, attentive service by our knowledgeable staff, an extensive inventory of phenomenal wines of all origins and price levels, and a myriad of fun educational activities centered around our passion for good food, wine and entertaining are the things that set us apart from other wine stores.

We offer the largest selection of fine wines in the state, as well as beer, fresh cut cheeses, gourmet foods, entertaining and wine accessories, flowers, stemware, cookbooks and wine publications.

Our team travels the world over to make sure that we're offering you the best of all these items. And we're here to help you find whatever it is you're looking for. Whether you've stopped by for a six-pack of a favorite microbrew, a really special bottle of wine for an anniversary, an artisan cheese to serve at your next dinner party or a great $10 bottle of Zinfandel to drink on a Tuesday night, we're here to help.

We look forward to seeing you here again and again, and to sharing more of the good life.

Cheers,

Gary Fisch

Meet Our Staff

Wayne | Madison | Bernardsville

Corporate

Gary Fisch, Owner

When Gary was working toward his B.S. from Rider College in Political Science, he didn’t yet know where life was going to take him. In his senior year of college, he began to work part time with his father, a liquor salesman. While other salespeople concentrated on selling liquor, Gary fell in love with wine and decided to become an expert in that newly expanding area. He educated himself at the Sommelier Institute in New Jersey and at several of Windows on the World's wine courses. He began setting up wine seminars for restaurants and sales staff. The secret to his success is a passionate love and broad knowledge of his product -- and the skill to communicate that delight. That enthusiasm and intelligence served him well when he teamed up with his brother Mark in 1987 and opened a 1,500 sq. ft. store in Madison, New Jersey.  Two moves later, Gary's Madison store is now 13,000 sq. ft. In 1997, their second 10,000 sq. ft. store opened in Livingston (this has since been sold), followed in 2001 by another 10,000 sq. ft. location in Bernardsville, N.J. In 2008, he opened his largest location to date --24,000 square feet-- at 1308 Route 23 North in Wayne N.J.
 
Gary travels extensively in order to expand his knowledge of wine. He visits the wine regions of California, France, and Italy on a regular basis, and Gary's expertise has earned him national media attention. He has been "The Wine Guy" on the TV Food Network show - Bobby Flay Hot off the Grill, and has made guest appearances on CNN, New Jersey 12 and Bloomberg radio and television.  In January 2009, he was profiled in New Jersey Monthly’s “Power Issue” as one of the 101 Most Influential People in the Garden State.  Not bad for a guy who simply loves to share his enthusiasm for wine!

Jon Visser, Wine Director

I've been in the wine industry for over ten years. Starting at Carlo Russo's Wine & Spirit World in Fort Lee as a stock clerk/cashier, I soon became interested in learning about wine. After graduating from college, I took wine classes in New York at Harriet Lembeck's. After finishing her program, I worked for William Grant & Sons as a salesperson in New Jersey and then returned to retail as the wine manager at Carlo Russo's. I enjoy wines from all over the world, especially the great values out of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The region that I am most passionate about is Bordeaux. The best wine I've ever had is Cheval Blanc 1985, drunk at a bachelor party for one of my best friends. I was 25 and the bottle cost only $85. I wish I could get more at that price!

Maggie Fox, Wine Buyer and Wine Club Director

I came to Gary's after studying for my masters in Food Studies at NYU, earning my advanced wine certificate at the International Wine Center, and working for some of the best food and wine magazines in the country. After all of that studying and research, I was happy to find a place where my passion for food, wine and travel can be applied every day, whether it's through selecting and writing up the upcoming Wine Club selections, traveling to an up-and-coming region to discover new wines for the store, or helping customers pick out something they've never tried before for tonight's dinner. There's nothing more fun to me than learning about the stories behind the wine; it's an industry full of legends and characters.

When I'm not reading and writing about wines, I'm an avid traveler, gardener and home cook. If you ever need a recipe suggestion to go with that wine you've been dying to try, come chat with me. I tend to have a new favorite wine every month (many of which you’ll find in our Wine Club selections!)


Will Henao, Marketing Manager and Ecommerce Developer

I come to Gary's with over 15 years experience as a Marketing Strategist, Creative Web Producer and Ecommerce Developer for clients across multiple industries including entertainment, healthcare, financial, government, direct response, b2c, travel, retail and information technology.

As a video producer and editor, I've produced various short films, industrials, tv segments, music videos, news packages, travel videos, commercials and as lead producer for the Miss Universe 2004 pageant, I oversaw events in major cities and produced digital news media distributed across the globe. In the interactive space, I have managed Internet marketing campaigns which included Pay-Per-Click (PPC) on all major search properties and I've produced hundreds of interactive and Ecommerce websites. I joined Gary's in May of 2008 and today I manage all of our websites, social sites, blogs, product feeds, e-newsletters, media buying, graphic design projects and marketing strategies.

 
Wayne

Jason Oppenberg, General Manager

I first heard of Gary's Wine & Marketplace about ten years ago when I was working on the distribution side of the Wine & Spirits business. I ran a spirits promotion in Gary's Wine & Marketplace of Madison for a local import company. It was, most definitely, the nicest store I had ever seen - an amazing wine selection coupled with an extensive array of gourmet foods. I had never come across anything like it before. A few years later I made a switch to wine & spirits retail management, and in 2009 I joined the management team at Gary's Wine & Marketplace of Wayne. I grew up around the corner from here, in Montville, so this was most definitely a welcome homecoming for me.

I absolutely love our wine selection here at Gary's - I'm a fan of bold California Cabernet Sauvignon, peppery Shiraz, and medium sweet German Rieslings. Our recently expanded craft beer selection is just as amazing. Please stop by and say "Hello".

Chad Watkins, Assistant Manager

I started working with Gary in October of 2008.  Since then I have only grown to love and appreciate wine more and more.  My first loves were the Rieslings and Gewuerztraminers of Alsace, where I studied French in college, and I still enjoy them.  My philosophy is and has always been to try new wines all the time.  There are too many wines out there to drink the same thing every day.  My curious nature has also drawn me to formal wine education where I have earned my Intermediate Certificate with Distinction from the WSET and gained the title of Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) from the Society of Wine Educators.  I also spent a week in Bordeaux, France in June 2009 where I became a Certified Bordeaux Educator.  I look forward to learning even more about wine and sharing that with others.

Kathy Brindle, Wine Sales

In 2007, I started taking some classes at the International Wine Center in Manhattan to further my knowledge of wine. After completing the WSET Advanced Certification, I joined the Gary's team in 2008. My favorite wines are California Meritage blends and New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but I am always open to trying new wines and sharing those discoveries with our guests.

Laura Moorin, Wine Sales

I grew up in New Jersey and despite an odd affinity towards cold weather, I moved out West for the better part of a decade. It was in California that I happened into the wine industry…(it was either that or Hollywood, and I decided waiting tables wasn’t for me.)  I spent the last few years working in Los Angeles’s Zagat rated #1 wine store, where I was mentored by a master sommelier who taught me the ins and outs of this business.  My future was sealed by the end of Day One!

I met Gary and his buying team in Napa, and it was a perfect fit.  Less than one month later, I re-crossed the country back to New Jersey (always an East Coast woman at heart) to join the team in Wayne. My new incapacity to brave temperatures below 60 degrees notwithstanding, I am thrilled to be back and part of such a positive work environment, in a store that truly puts the customer first. I am extremely energetic and passionate about what I do and I strive to make sure every guest I meet is as excited as I am by the time they pop the cork. When the people I help are happy with their experience, then it’s a good day’s work.

Madison

Brian Maxwell, Manager and Wine Buyer

After spending over 12 years as a chef in New York City and Boston, I came to work at Gary's at Madison. I truly love food friendly wines and enjoy pairing wines with different courses and types of meals. My favorite wines are Italian Reds and German Reislings. I am a diehard Red Sox fan, much to Gary's chagrin! My goal when assisting customers is help them choose a wine they truly will enjoy.


Dave Thompson, Assistant Manager

I started working for Gary's in Bernardsville as a student at FDU 5 years ago and never left – I was hooked. Over the years working here and in restaurants across NJ I have developed a passion for both food and wine. I am currently the gourmet manager in Madison. I love what I do and everyone I work with! Stop in and ask for a taste of any one of our fabulous meats or cheeses!

Alexis Wein, Gourmet Manager

I started as a basket maker while in school and quickly moved into the Gourmet department. I loved it and decided then and there that Gary's Wine and Marketplace was going to be my career.  I love all the different facets of my job -- selling cheese, training a new employees - call me weird, but I even like doing inventory! But my favorite part is meeting and building relationships with my customers!

Sarah Hoyda, Manager on Duty & Party Planning

My interest in wine developed while working part-time at a local liquor store. Quickly, I became eager to explore this vast world of wine. I began traveling to several wine-making destinations to broaden my horizons including both Napa and Sonoma Counties and Argentina, and joined Gary's staff after a 3-month internship at a vineyard in Casa Blanca, Chile. My favorite wines are full-bodied New World selections, in particular California Chards and fruit-driven robust Red Zins.

I am the Head Event Coordinator in Madison and truly enjoy organizing events and parties and make every effort to ensure your event is a success!  Please stop in, call me, or email me if you need guidance for that special function.   I strive to provide the best customer service possible and find it rewarding to satisfy a customer's needs. I look forward to continuing my journey of discovering wine, spirits, and beer and helping others do the same.

Rich I, Wine Sales

After working with a landscaping company for a number of years, I have been on the staff here at Gary's for over 12 years. Initially a beer person, I became more and more interested in wine at our in-store sales presentations and by talking with visiting winemakers and importers. The store has sent me on trips to Napa and Sonoma in California, and to visit wineries in Chile and Argentina. My wine preferences include whites from France, especially the Loire, Alsace and Champagne, as well as New Zealand. In reds, I am fond of Argentina, Southern France, California, and Italy.

Rick Bedkowski, Wine Sales

I went to art school in New York City and while I was putting myself through school, I worked in a well-known steak house for extra money. I was there for over five years and slowly came to appreciate wine and spirits more and more. Spanish wines, Tequillas, and cream soda are what I enjoy most.

Lou Manzo, Wine Sales

Lou Manzo’s passion and enthusiasm for wine spans a course of over 25 years. As Chapter Director for Tasters Guild, Lou plans and delivers extensive offerings of wine tastings and dinners throughout the year. He combines his extensive wine tasting expertise, sense of humor and excellent communication skills to make wine appreciation fun and unintimidating.

If you are looking for an exciting wine experience for your corporate function, newcomers group, alumni organization or just getting together with your friends, Lou is the one to call.


Bernardsville

David Marshall,  Manager

I have worked in the wine business in one way or another since 1985. Ten years ago, when I decided to make a career change, I was fortunate enough to work in the Napa Valley. I fell in love with the whole process of winemaking, especially being in the vineyard were it all begins. My earliest preferences were for Rieslings from great German estates, and Napa gave me a special fondness for older Cabernets and big old-vine Zinfandels. A promotion for my wife brought us east, and working for Gary's was a must! I am very proud to be part of his team and look forward to sharing our passion for wine with you.

Bunny Neuhart,  Assistant Manager

"Non cè cibo senza vino, non cè vino senza cibo" was a phrase I heard on the streets of Florence meaning, "there is no food without wine, there is no wine without food".  I fell in love with the Italian philosophy of life while studying at Apicious International School of Hospitality.  Attending the Culinary Arts Program I took classes on wine as well as food writing and international management.  What was supposed to be a fun year of food and wine, after graduating from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Special Education, turned into a craving.  When I moved back to New Jersey I was drawn to Gary's Wine and Marketplace because of their unparalleled selection of wine and gourmet food.  Working here I am amazed by the depth of knowledge and passion which every single member of our team possesses.  Obviously I love Italian reds, but also have an eye and palate for all things that sparkle.  Cheese? Please!  Need help deciding what's for dinner?  I make a point to sample all things gourmet, yes, I know it is a hard job but somebody has to do it.  I also consider myself an amateur mixologist.  So, if you are looking to make the next trendy cocktail or need suggestions for food and wine pairings, please stop over and say "Ciao"!

Ariel Eckes, Manager on Duty

After years in the restaurant business, I found myself at Gary's looking to make a little extra cash for Christmas as the "wrap girl." That was three Christmas's ago and now I am head cashier at Gary's of Bernardsville. You can find me primarily at the registers or close by. If you need help picking out items for gift baskets or just a second opinion on glasses let me know. My passion for wine has grown exponentially since starting at the store. I will try anything once but my true love is a big luscious California Cab. Next time you're in the store swing by the registers and say Hi!

Phil Unger, Wine Sales

My long time love and passion for wine inspired a career change several years ago to the wine industry. After graduating from college, I spent 14 years consulting in the energy field. During that time, I tasted, studied and traveled to some of the most famous wine producing regions in the world. Finally, I made the decision to do what I love best and work with wine. Since joining the industry, I have worked in distribution, import, and retail. I am also one of the original "foodies", always looking for the next great meal and perfect wine/food matches. Working at Gary's offers me the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team that loves wine as much as I do and to share my passion for wine with our customers.
 
John Cauley, Wine Sales

After 19 years in the wine business, the last 15 years as Wine Buyer and Salesperson at Epstein's in Morristown, I came to Gary's in the summer of 2004. I have studied at Harriet Lembeck's, travelled extensively through the wine regions of California, and made twenty trips to the wine producing areas of Europe, mostly France and Spain. In addition to my passion for wine, I am an avid bridge enthusiast and enjoy swimming and bicycling. My favorite wines are Sauvignon Blancs from the U.S. and France, and the wines of Spain, New Zealand and the Rhone Valley. I am delighted to be a part of Gary's terrific team, in a position to help you find great buys on great wines.

Ryan Sacks, Wine Sales

After working in the Technology field for 7 years as an IT Support Analyst, and living in New Jersey my entire life, I decided that it was time for a change of scenery and picked up my life and moved to North Carolina with no real plan. While in NC I started working at a well known gourmet food retailer where I started to become interested in fine wines. After a year, I realized that my real home was in NJ, so I moved back and started working at Gary’s in Bernardsville where my interest turned into a passion. I enjoy wines from all over the world, but my favorites are Italian reds from Piedmont. Stop in our Bernardsville store and I’ll do everything I can to make your shopping experience enjoyable!

Ivonne Nill, Wine Sales

If you had to pick a career in chocolate or wine, which one would you pick?  I went for wine, after having spent 10 years as the product development scientist on Snickers.  While I was still making candy bars, Gary and the Madison team took me on as a part-time wine associate in 2004.  Many wine classes at the International Wine Center in NYC, and Culinary Institute in California later, I decided to become a full time "wino." After an exhilarating harvest experience at Domaine Plageoles, Gaillac/France, I joined the B’ville wine team.  My passion is teaching about wine. Let me help you discover the best values, and the newest wine regions!

Vieva Grenier, Cheesemonger

As an undergraduate student studying French at the Sorbonne, I also enrolled at La Varenne cooking school, then returned to Paris after graduation to enroll at Le Cordon Bleu, receiving Le Grand Diplome. It was in Paris that I really became aware of the incredible diversity of cheese. Working in various gourmet shops I found I could apply this new found awareness. Now I have been with Gary's for over ten years, where I continue to learn as much as I can about cheese, specialty foods and the wonderful symbiotic relationship between food and wine.