Ursula Hermancinski Ursula Hermacinski was named "goddess of the gavel" by Food & Wine Magazine when she won its Golden Grape Award for "perfecting the art of auctioneering." She began her career at Christie's in New York, and in 1994, established Christi's New York wine department along with the wine retailer Zachys. In 1998, she went out on her own, first pioneering interest in online wine auctions, and then becoming the first woman auctioneer at the world-famous Napa Valley Wine Auction. Read More Read Less