During the last several years of writing this column and meeting with the local wine community, one person’s name always comes up in conversation. In revered tones, people ask me, “Have you heard of Steve Beck?” or “You really need to meet Steve Beck!”
Last year, I unexpectedly met Steve at Westside Grill where he was the sommelier for the evening. Even though we did not have time to chat, it was a wonderful experience to be in the presence of a consummate wine professional where every attention to detail was made. From his natty attire and personable greeting, to the perfect wine selection and flair for pouring it into my glass, Steve made my dining experience memorable.
So, recently, after my dermatologist asked me if I knew about Steve Beck, I decided it was finally time to meet with Steve and find out for myself what everyone else already seemed to know.
My one hour meeting with Steve turned into three hours because there was so much to talk about – from his experiences in our local wine industry to his sommelier certification – and also about his boundless energy in giving back to the community. Within the limited space of this column, here is Steve’s story.
In 1995, David and Valerie Vanni of Solis Winery hired Steve to be their tasting room manager. Although Steve had an appreciation of wine; he had no industry experience.
“On my first day of the job, I felt I had made the biggest mistake of my life,” he said. “I was so out of my element and had no clue what was ahead of me. But I embraced it and that was absolutely the last day I felt I had made a mistake.”
Starting out, Steve did a little of everything: pruning vines, picking grapes, running machinery and doing cellar work.
“It was a passion and a drive to learn as much as I could – which brought me to where I am today,” he said. Within six months, Steve was promoted to general manager.
After a 12-year run and a change of ownership, Steve left Solis to work at Sarah’s Vineyard and a short time later, at Guglielmo Winery, owned by “the most gracious family – with three brothers who paved the way for the Santa Clara Valley wine industry,” Steve said.
In 2009, Steve enrolled in the Certified Sommelier Program at the Professional Culinary Institute in Campbell.
“It was the hardest thing I have ever strived for,” he said. It was 11 weeks of intensive training, tasting and evaluating wines. Of the seven Master Sommeliers who presented the training, Steve was most honored to meet David Glancy, Catherine Fallis and Reggie Narito.
With his Level Two sommelier certificate in hand, Steve became a wine steward at Lunardi’s Market and a cheese monger at Whole Foods. Most recently, Steve accepted his dream job at Young’s Market Company, working alongside his mentor, Reggie Narito, and distributing wine and spirits to the bars and restaurants of the South Valley.
Steve credits the loving support of his wife, Sonya for his success. In fact, Steve and Sonya have teamed-up in Sweat Pea Wedding Services and Floral. As a wedding officiant, Steve has presided over 500 weddings and offers a unique wine ceremony for couples.
Every year since 1990, Steve has worked at Christmas in the Park – building exhibits and supervising a low-risk crew of inmates through the Department of Corrections.
An advocate of our local vintners, Steve said, “We have world-class, award-winning wines in our own backyard. It’s mystifying why anyone would get in their car and drive to Napa without giving our wineries a chance to share their expertise. You may not like every wine that each winery has to offer, but if you are willing to explore, you will most likely find a wine that you love at a great value.”
Everything people have to say about Steve is true – he is the classiest, most generous and hardest-working professional in our wine industry.
Steve is acting in the upcoming play “Miracle on 34th Street,” through the community theater in Morgan Hill. This may be your chance to finally meet Steve Beck.
Read Bev’s new blog at www.gilroydispatch.com/blogs/grapevine_news/
