Bill Skrapits

Bill Skrapits has been marketing and lobbying for the growing Texas wine industry since 2002 and has been published in three major magazines. His life-long passion for wine, winemaking, and blending started over 20 years ago and he has won over 45 international awards in the last nine years. Hes studied under eight of the finest master winemakers and leaders in Texas and in the United States, and has worked with over ten wineries at every stage of production. He consults with small wineries all over the United States, from Texas and Oklahoma to Michigan and Florida.

With an in-depth knowledge of wines from vineyard to table and all points in between, Bill created Premier Wine Blends in 2009, giving small wineries a unique solution to some of their biggest challenges, from custom blending, local wine sourcing to winemaking consulting and winery operations. Establishing a winery from scratch shows off Bills expertise and knowledge of building a successful, profitable and fun winery that builds on creating a customer experience. Bill helps his clients understand that the buyer is not just buying a wine; he or she is choosing a wine because of the intrigue and uniqueness of that brand, their own individual experience and what it says about them for having chosen it. Over 20 small wineries have counted on Bill to help them distinguish themselves in the market by creating their custom wine blends and maintaining the integrity and brand of their winery.

Recently, Bill took a marathon winery tour across the southwest United States, hitting 25 wineries and vineyards in six states: Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, California, Arizona and New Mexico, to gain a better understanding of the challenges and successes small wineries and vineyards are experiencing today. Hes taken that knowledge back to his clients to create better custom wine blends that reflect the breakthroughs these states are having in growing lesser known varieties that grow well in their area. Bill also evangelizes for states to work together to help strengthen their younger, but resilient and fast growing wine industries. Each winery is better if all the wineries are doing better, whether its in crafting a fine wine, creating an authentic tasting room experience or getting more local wines on the table.

Bill resides in Austin,Texas where he spends his leisure time planting, pruning, and participating in harvests at his and several colleagues vineyards and wineries. He enjoys creating projects that build community and help others while having fun, as well as mentoring many small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Accreditations Member of Wine Society of Texas (previous Chapter President) Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association Colorado Association of Vintners and Enologists Founder of the Central Texas Winemakers Guild Founding Member of Blackrock Vineyard Association, a coop vineyard created for prospective vineyard owners

Formal education related to biology, chemistry, viticulture and oenology includes courses and certifications from: University of California at Davis, TV Munson Center for Viticulture at Grayson County College, Texas A & M, University of Illinois at Shawnee Community College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Thomas Edison State College.

17 years of corporate experience, including being a key executive at TESTCo responsible for growing annual revenue from $1M to $4M and recognized as one of the Fast 50 Companies in Austin two years in a row.

Author of articles published in: Small Winery Magazine, Texas Monthly, and Esquire. Publishes the Blenders Blog with topics specific to winery owners and winemakers.

Suggested Topics: 1. The Challenges and Successes of Million Dollar Wineries across the Southwest 2. Forget the Big 3 Create Blends that are True to Your Region 3. Who is your Biggest Competitor? Hint: Its not the winery next door 4. Texas: Creating Your Best (finding the varieties that grow best, creating the best Texas wines) 5. Build Your Winery for Success...Now!