Meet the Wine Guys

Bob Eppich, Owner

I started my "Lifelong Love Affair With Wine" in the fall of 1980 while taking the class Geography 275 during my senior year at Miami University. The "Geography of Wine" class was taught by the passionate professor and wine enthusiast, John Dome. I walked into the classroom that first Monday evening and on the screen was the beginning of a cartoon slide show. The first slide showed a happy couple with a bottle of wine that was spewing hearts everywhere. When all the students had quieted down and the class began, the first thing out of Professor Dome's mouth was "Tonight, you will start your lifelong love affair with wine".

I am not sure how many of the other students in the class that night still care about or still drink wine but for 31 years I have. Sure, wine is a beverage one can ocasionally drink and leave it at that. However, for me, the first sip of the first wine I tasted that night launched me on a lifelong odyssey to learn as much as I could about the fruit of the gods.

I bought my store in 1997 and took over on January 5th, 1998. The fourteenth anniversary of my ownership of this business is coming up soon and looking back I know I am so lucky to have the opportunity to make a living in an industry I am so crazy about.

I want to share my education, excitement and enthusiasm so come by the shop, introduce yourself and I can start you on the way to your "Lifelong Love Affair With Wine".

Patrick Kohn

Ever since my very first wine tasting nearly ten years ago, I have been enamored with wine and the myriad expressions thereof. Over the years I have been honing my knowledge, understanding and love of wines from all over the world and if these years of experience have taught me anything it is that the more I learn the more I realize there is yet to learn. I acquire new information with regards to all aspects of the wine world, literally everyday, and plan to do so indefinitely (as the maxim goes, 'Once one claims to "know all there is to know", the learning stops'). However, this is not to say that I am 'wet behind the ears', so to speak. A stroll through the front door of Colonial Beverage will bring you face to face with the most knowledgeable wine staff you'll ever have the pleasure to deal with.

I am a big fan of red blends from anywhere in the world, especially California, Spain & the Rhone region. Although these are far from the only wines I enjoy. When it's cold I prefer a warming red & when the mercury starts to rise up into the higher registers I like crisp Alsacian whites, any dry, well-made sparkling & of course, a nice rich, buttery Chardonnay (although Burgundy has been commanding more of my attention lately). In reality, I haven't found a bottle yet that I didn't appreciate in some way.

I am also the resident beer nerd so if a mug of quality suds is what you're after I can direct you to one of our numerous micro-brews.

Give us here at Colonial Beverage the opportunity to get to know you and your tastes and I assure you you won't be disappointed.