Jimmy Kawalek
Founder/Principal Broker
While it is important to note that my early career was launched with such notable brands as Marriott Hotels and Disney, it is the next stage in my career that brings us to the founding of Divino.
For more than 20 years, I specialized in taking unknown companies and putting a face on them. I created markets, grew the bottom line, personalized brands and most importantly developed relationships. In that time I was lucky to work on 3 Superbowls, 3 Olympic Games, multiple Oscar & Grammy telecasts and numerous worldwide stage events. It was also during this time that I was fortunate to travel the world, experience many different cultures and, along the way, fell madly in love with wine.
Two years ago I made it my quest to take my core skills and give them a home in the wine industry. These skills - establishing and growing relationships - makes it comfortable for me to sit between you, the winemaker, and the consumer. I take your story and make it personal for others.
Divino's book is made of high quality, small production, family-owned (if possible) wineries and wine related items that have stories to tell. Typically, these are the great wines, wineries and winemakers that get lost in the shuffle of the large corporations and distributors. Divino makes it local, makes it approachable and, most importantly. increases its value.
Divino focuses solely on the ever-growing Southern California market.
As a final note: along with running Divino, I also attend Sommelier school thru the accredited ISG program and expect to finish in Q2 '08.