Richard Betts has a laundry list of achievements and accolades. He makes wine: An Approach to Relaxation and My Essential Wine. He makes spirits: Sombra Mescal and Astral Tequila. He passed the MS Exam on his first attempt, the ninth ever to do so.
My favorite project Richard has ever done is the Scratch and Sniff Guide to Wine. This book was cornerstone to my wine education, and, I dare say, it got me my first wine job. It’s simple, elegant and genius.
“I believe in working at the intersection of enthusiasm and opportunity.”
Richard Betts
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Richard Betts’s Interview
Check back here on August 9th for the re-release of my interview with Richard Betts.
About Richard Betts
After a long academic journey that included a BS, an MS and nearly a JD, Richard finally found his way to his real love: Vino. While traveling in Italy, he fell in love with the country’s dining tradition and came to regard wine “as a grocery and not a luxury.” He was the wine director at The Little Nell in Aspen from 2000 to 2008.
In the spring of 2003, Richard passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Masters Exam on the first attempt, the ninth person ever to do so. He co-founded his first wine label Betts & Scholl in 2003 and also co-founded Scarpetta Wines and “cc:” Wines.
Today, Richard is guiding his highly-regarded mezcal project, Sombra, as well as “my ESSENTIAL” from California and Provence.
Richard is also the author of The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert, a kids’ book for adults.
Connect with Richard
- Website: yobetts.com
- Instagram: @yobetts
- Facebook: richardbettswine
- Twitter: @yobetts