Meet Gary Russell

Olivier Krug

A Certified Sommelier, world traveler, and dedicated wine storyteller.

I grew up on Florida’s Space Coast in Merritt Island — where rockets lit the sky and reminded me that some things are simply destined to soar. Mine did the moment I stepped into Chef Kevin Fonzo’s K Restaurant in College Park and discovered the world of wine.

That first spark quickly became a calling. Within just four years of passing the Introductory Sommelier Exam, I began leading the wine program at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

For more than a decade since, I’ve directed Wine Spectator Award-winning wine programs for some of the world’s most celebrated luxury hotels and restaurants — from Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico, to Annabelle here in the heart of Washington, D.C. Along the way, my work has taken me deep into iconic wine regions across Europe and North America, where I’ve tasted alongside legendary winemakers, studied at the source, and built lasting connections with extraordinary people and places.

Welcome to Wine School is the culmination of that journey — a place where my passion for wine meets my love of connecting with people. Through private tastings, corporate events, and custom experiences, I bring the richness of the wine world directly to you.

Every event is designed to be immersive, engaging, and approachable — blending education with enjoyment so you can explore, discover, and, most of all, have fun.

My mission is simple: make wine feel exciting, not intimidating — and help you taste what’s possible.