Rick KushmanRick Kushman is a New York Times bestselling author and an award-wining journalist who currently works in the wine industry and is based in Napa as a Communications Strategist. He is also the wine commentator for Capital Public Radio, Sacramento's NP station, and is a contributing host for "Insight," the station's highest profile locally produced show. Rick is also the creator and co-host of the popular podcast "Bottle Talk with Rick and Paul," which is featured on the Capital Public Radio podcast lineup. Rick was a longtime columnist for The Sacramento Bee and his writing has appeared in publications ranging from Time Magazine to Sommelier Journal to Daily Variety. He has served as Co-Chief Judge for the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition and is currently Chief Judge of the State Fair's Home Winemaker's Competition.Rick holds a Certified Wine Professional credential from the Culinary Institute of America and earned an MA in Journalism from Stanford University and a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. He teaches wine classes to professionals and regular folks, has taught culinary journalism and is a popular speaker for Northern California food and wine events. He lives in Sacramento with his wife, Deborah Meltvedt, who's a high school teacher, and with their cat, Anchovy Jack, who, they're convinced, used to be a pirate. Read More Read Less