Fascinated by the wine industry, after college, Ryan spent a couple years in retail and wholesale before making his way into the cellar in Sonoma Valley.  Learning to make wine in the cellar led to many harvests both in California and Australia before gaining the position as Cellar Master for a Custom Crush winemaking facility in Sonoma Valley.  The years leading up to this and after have brought him through many avenues of the wine trade before creating CellarMasters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop.  

Cellar work is not his only skill, as he has managed fine wine retail shops, sold wine as a wholesaler, a judge for the Next-Gen Wine Competition, and is a Certified Specialist of Wine via the Society of Wine Educators.  

During this journey he has realized that wine should be entertaining, not stuffy, and there is always something to learn.  "St. Pete deserves a wine shop and bar that is committed to selecting the very best wines and the best prices for it’s guests".  We are into discovery of new and interesting wines and want to share this passion for great juice with the amazing people of St. Pete.

Kory dove face-first into the wine business right after college, and never looked back. He got his Sommelier certification (CMS) out of the way after his first year in the wine business, and has since been privileged to work with and learn from some of the industry's most respected restaurateurs and independent retailers, as well as mentor some of the industry's newest rising stars. With more than a decade of experience ranging from opening renegade wine bars with a renowned Master Sommelier to representing an elite wholesale portfolio, Kory brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and personal flair to CellarMasters.

He is equally as likely to be seen collaborating on tasting menus around town as he is arguing over the merits of his favorite cheap beer in some dive bar down by the railroad tracks. It’s Budweiser.