GARY'S WINE & MARKETPLACE - MADISON

121 Main St, Madison, NJ 07940

(973) 822-0200

Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

When Gary was working toward his B.S. from Rider College in Political Science, he didn’t yet know where life was going to take him. Gary fell in love with wine in his senior year of college while working with his father, a liquor salesman, and decided to become an expert. He educated himself at the Sommelier Institute in New Jersey and at several of Windows on the World’s wine courses. The secret to his success is a passionate love and broad knowledge of his product — and the skill to communicate that delight. That enthusiasm and intelligence served him well when he teamed up with his brother Mark in 1987 and opened his first store in Madison, New Jersey. Three moves later, Gary’s now has stores in Bernardsville, N.J., on Route 23 North in Wayne, N.J and Closter, N.J. Gary’s expertise has earned him national media attention as “The Wine Guy” on the TV Food Network show Bobby Flay Hot off the Grill. He has made guest appearances on CNN, New Jersey 12 and Bloomberg radio and television. In January 2009, he was profiled in New Jersey Monthly’s “Power Issue” as one of the 101 Most Influential People in the Garden State. Not bad for a guy who simply loves to share his enthusiasm for wine!

I went to art school in New York City and while I was putting myself through school, I worked in a well-known steak house for extra money. I was there for over five years and slowly came to appreciate wine and spirits more and more. Spanish wines, Tequilas, and cream soda are what I enjoy most.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, I honed my chef skills in NYC and with my own catering business in North Jersey. I took a brief hiatus from my culinary career when I moved to Fort Lauderdale and dove headfirst into the cruise travel business. My new career took me to all four corners of the earth. I was able to experience first-hand the culinary tastes and techniques of Europe, Asia, the Far East and South America. You can take the boy out of New Jersey, but you can’t take New Jersey out of the boy. In 2012, I returned to my true home, the great Garden State. Gary’s and I found each other, and I have been back to my culinary roots ever since. Fine cheese, fine wines and good gin are passions. Bear Boat Pinot Noir paired with sweet Abbaye de Belloc really makes my day. I love chatting with my guests about all things gastronomic. Come visit me in Madison’s Gourmet Department!

After working with a landscaping company for a number of years, I have been on the staff here at Gary’s for over 12 years. Initially a beer person, I became more and more interested in wine at our in-store sales presentations and by talking with visiting winemakers and importers. The store has sent me on trips to Napa and Sonoma in California, and to visit wineries in Chile and Argentina. My wine preferences include whites from France, especially the Loire, Alsace and Champagne, as well as New Zealand. In reds, I am fond of Argentina, Southern France, California, and Italy.

I started working at Gary’s in May of 2015 as a cashier/gift associate while completing my undergraduate degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University. After graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor in Business Management, I wanted to get more involved in the company. The culture of Gary’s, the wonderful people that work here, and my own personal interest in learning more about the wine industry sparked a passion in me. I got my first taste of wine while traveling through Israel during the summer of 2017. It was there I visited the wineries and tasted the very best from Barkan, Golan Heights Winery and Segal wineries! When it comes to personal tastes, I enjoy Pinot Grigio, dry red wine, tequila, or whiskey. As a self-acclaimed foodie, our Gourmet Department is one of my favorite places in-store. Next time you’re in Madison looking for the perfect gift basket ask for me! I would be happy to assist you with creating a beautiful and especially tasty gift for that special someone.

I started working as a stock associate/beer help in the Bernardsville location in August of 2015. After four great years of training and learning in the beer department, I became Beer Manager at the Madison store. My time at Gary’s has helped me hone my palate to appreciate all beers, though I prefer drinking kettle sours and bitter IPA’s! In my free time I enjoy going on trips to Vermont or seeing concerts (Mostly Phish! Go figure!). Stop in and look for me if you need beer suggestions!