Ray Raney is a Texas native and a true Wine Lover.  As the retail wine buyer for a chain of stores for more than thirty five years, he has seen and been a true part of every significant change in the wine industry worldwide.  Every vintage has offered a new and exciting opportunity to taste and discover the great wines hiding within.

While traveling to most of the wine producing regions in the world, Ray earned wine diplomas from Germany, France, Italy and California.  He also actively sits as a judge at international and state wine competitions.

Ray has instructed wine classes at two major universities for over six years, and conducted many seminars at country clubs and in private homes.  Well known as, “The Side Show with a Slide Show”, he uses a PowerPoint presentation to visually take those in attendance, not only to the wine regions of the world, but inside individual wineries and out into the vineyards to see the grapes.  Throughout each presentation, the students and guests are privileged to taste the wine itself.  Oh, is learning ever so much fun.

Ray has been instrumental in organizing, planning and leading VIP group wine trips to the Napa and Sonoma Valley’s, for a real hands on learning experience.

Most recently, Ray was invited to be tested by the Court of Master Sommelier’s of France.  He successfully passed a three part, day long test on January 15, 2006 in Houston, Texas and was awarded the distinguished title of “Certified Sommelier”.