Balzac Communications & Marketing is the largest marketing communications firm in the wine industry. Over the past 25 years, it has earned a reputation for working with top quality clients, providing cost-effective solutions, and developing long-term relationships with key influencers across the spectrum, from producers, regional associations, and media to the distribution network, consumers and the general public. These relationships, and the credibility and effectiveness upon which they are based, make Balzac particularly well suited to manage a campaign aimed at these target audiences.
Have fun and get it done.
We know the complete spectrum of what can be done and how to do it. Even more important, we can determine what will make sense for you. Our goal is to make your company more successful, not just use up your budget, and that means we focus on results, not promises.
The ultimate goal is to sell your products or services, and we hope you will judge our efforts by that criterion. We do.
In the long run, your success is our success. We want you to grow so that we can grow, and we want to be working with you five years from now—when we’re both where we want to be.
Our people are not the most important part of Balzac. They are Balzac. Period.
They are bright, determined, and experts in our field. From top to bottom, our people know their business and take pride in showing you the kind of results they can achieve.
Mike is a Balzac veteran with more than twenty years of experience building and executing communications strategies for clients in the wine and technology industries. He came west from Michigan to work in the dot-com boom and while he was here became knowledgeable about wine. After leaving Silicon Valley, Mike decided to make wine his career, and ended up at Balzac. Not surprisingly, Mike is Balzac’s digital strategies expert, in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company, including client management.
“At Balzac we want our clients to feel good about the results of our projects with them,” says Mike, “and just as important, to enjoy participating in the process.”
Mike is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) through the Society of Wine Educators and a WSET Certified Educator through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. He is also lead instructor at Discover Wine & Spirits Academy.
Since 2004
View Full BioMichael Wangbickler
Mike is a Balzac veteran with more than twenty years of experience building and executing communications strategies for clients in the wine and technology industries. He came west from Michigan to work in the dot-com boom and while he was here became knowledgeable about wine. After leaving Silicon Valley, Mike decided to make wine his career, and ended up at Balzac. Not surprisingly, Mike is Balzac’s digital strategies expert, in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company, including client management.
“At Balzac we want our clients to feel good about the results of our projects with them,” says Mike, “and just as important, to enjoy participating in the process.”
Mike is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) through the Society of Wine Educators and a WSET Certified Educator through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. He is also lead instructor at Discover Wine & Spirits Academy.
Since 2004
As the agency founder, Paul is the drive behind Balzac’s uncompromising approach to marketing communications. He has conceived and managed public relations programs for some of the most critical audiences in the world.
“This business combines the intellectual challenges of chess with the reaction speeds of whitewater rafting,” he says. “There are a phenomenal number of possibilities at every step. Our job is to make the right decisions and make those decisions work. We not only have to win the race – we have to look good doing it.”
Paul is also a founding member of the Academy of Wine Communications and a leading member of the American Wine Society. He regularly lectures on wine throughout the world, and was awarded the “Vida Dedicada Al Vino” prize at FENAVIN in 2009. He was honored as a Spadarino della Castellania de Soave in 2005, and his book, co-authored with Liz Thach and Janeen Olsen, won the Gourmand International award as the best wine book for professionals in 2008. He is also an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America and Napa Valley College.
Since 1992
View Full BioPaul Wagner
As the agency founder, Paul is the drive behind Balzac’s uncompromising approach to marketing communications. He has conceived and managed public relations programs for some of the most critical audiences in the world.
“This business combines the intellectual challenges of chess with the reaction speeds of whitewater rafting,” he says. “There are a phenomenal number of possibilities at every step. Our job is to make the right decisions and make those decisions work. We not only have to win the race – we have to look good doing it.”
Paul is also a founding member of the Academy of Wine Communications and a leading member of the American Wine Society. He regularly lectures on wine throughout the world, and was awarded the “Vida Dedicada Al Vino” prize at FENAVIN in 2009. He was honored as a Spadarino della Castellania de Soave in 2005, and his book, co-authored with Liz Thach and Janeen Olsen, won the Gourmand International award as the best wine book for professionals in 2008. He is also an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America and Napa Valley College.
Since 1992
Tiffany has one speed: fast forward, and we mean that in a good way. Her clients love her energy and professionalism, and she gets a lot done in a short period of time. She is a strong resource for her team when it comes to client/media relations, strategic counsel and issues management.
“I love brainstorming and dealing with evolving communication plans – adjusting on the fly to the client’s new needs,” she says.
Prior to joining Balzac, Tiffany held supervisory and account lead positions in corporate marketing and communications firms, including Ketchum in San Francisco as the IBM account lead handling all media relations on the West Coast. Other positions were held at Visa, Charles Schwab and Hewlett-Packard.
Since 2004
View Full BioTiffany van Gorder
Tiffany has one speed: fast forward, and we mean that in a good way. Her clients love her energy and professionalism, and she gets a lot done in a short period of time. She is a strong resource for her team when it comes to client/media relations, strategic counsel and issues management.
“I love brainstorming and dealing with evolving communication plans – adjusting on the fly to the client’s new needs,” she says.
Prior to joining Balzac, Tiffany held supervisory and account lead positions in corporate marketing and communications firms, including Ketchum in San Francisco as the IBM account lead handling all media relations on the West Coast. Other positions were held at Visa, Charles Schwab and Hewlett-Packard.
Since 2004
With more than twenty-five years of alcoholic beverage experience, ranging from his own craft brewery, Devil Mountain Brewery, to still, sparkling and fortified wines at some of the best-known and most respected domestic and international wineries, Mark adds significant wine and craft beer marketing knowledge to Balzac Communications & Marketing.
As a wine marketing executive he has managed brands for Sebastiani Vineyards, Seagram Chateau Estate & Wines Company, Constellation Wines, White Rocket Wine Company (Kendall-Jackson), Vintage Wine Estates, and most recently, King Estate in Oregon. He has worked from ideation to name generation to package design to marketing, launch and winemaking and production for multiple wine brands both domestic and international, over a range of price points ($5 – $150) and packaging formats (glass, BIB, Tetra Pak).
“Whether you are launching a new brand, revitalizing an existing one or exploring new categories,” says Mark, “I have been in that room. I love to sit down and talk out real-life strategies and then get to work on making it all come true.”
Since 2016
View Full BioMark Feinberg
With more than twenty-five years of alcoholic beverage experience, ranging from his own craft brewery, Devil Mountain Brewery, to still, sparkling and fortified wines at some of the best-known and most respected domestic and international wineries, Mark adds significant wine and craft beer marketing knowledge to Balzac Communications & Marketing.
As a wine marketing executive he has managed brands for Sebastiani Vineyards, Seagram Chateau Estate & Wines Company, Constellation Wines, White Rocket Wine Company (Kendall-Jackson), Vintage Wine Estates, and most recently, King Estate in Oregon. He has worked from ideation to name generation to package design to marketing, launch and winemaking and production for multiple wine brands both domestic and international, over a range of price points ($5 – $150) and packaging formats (glass, BIB, Tetra Pak).
“Whether you are launching a new brand, revitalizing an existing one or exploring new categories,” says Mark, “I have been in that room. I love to sit down and talk out real-life strategies and then get to work on making it all come true.”
Since 2016
Simply put, Adam makes our design department one of the best in California. His designs for websites (he did ours, for one), wine labels and packaging, logos and other work give Balzac a distinct edge over other agencies.
Adam’s broad education, focused by his studies in graphic design at Santa Rosa College, gives him the ability to combine excellent design with fine art – he’s an illustrator as well as an expert with digital design. It makes his work memorable: striking, effective, and fun. He loves having copywriters right in the next office to keep things moving along. And he knows way too much about TTB requirements for wine labels.
“What makes Balzac fun is our range of resources. We’re able to put ideas to work in very creative and distinctive ways – that’s what gives us the edge over other agencies.”
Please visit the Balzac Communications design portfolio to view his work.
Since 2001
View Full BioAdam Sullivan
Simply put, Adam makes our design department one of the best in California. His designs for websites (he did ours, for one), wine labels and packaging, logos and other work give Balzac a distinct edge over other agencies.
Adam’s broad education, focused by his studies in graphic design at Santa Rosa College, gives him the ability to combine excellent design with fine art – he’s an illustrator as well as an expert with digital design. It makes his work memorable: striking, effective, and fun. He loves having copywriters right in the next office to keep things moving along. And he knows way too much about TTB requirements for wine labels.
“What makes Balzac fun is our range of resources. We’re able to put ideas to work in very creative and distinctive ways – that’s what gives us the edge over other agencies.”
Please visit the Balzac Communications design portfolio to view his work.
Since 2001
Start with a degree in literature from U.C. Santa Cruz, and another one from the California Culinary Academy, add twelve years as a professional chef and culinary consultant and season to taste with experience cooking in France and Great Britain. Stir briskly and professionally, and you get Margaret Clark.
She brings that food and wine knowledge to her work here at Balzac as copywriter, proofreader and able protector of the English language and its use in clear expression.
“My job is to make sure our message is communicated quickly, directly and completely,” Margaret says. “Whether you’re cooking, writing, or marketing, the answer to the question is always the same – the details matter.”
Since 1994
View Full BioMargaret Clark
Start with a degree in literature from U.C. Santa Cruz, and another one from the California Culinary Academy, add twelve years as a professional chef and culinary consultant and season to taste with experience cooking in France and Great Britain. Stir briskly and professionally, and you get Margaret Clark.
She brings that food and wine knowledge to her work here at Balzac as copywriter, proofreader and able protector of the English language and its use in clear expression.
“My job is to make sure our message is communicated quickly, directly and completely,” Margaret says. “Whether you’re cooking, writing, or marketing, the answer to the question is always the same – the details matter.”
Since 1994
Emma’s path to wine expertise was inspired by her Mom’s gourmet meals paired with amazing wines, and then by a semester on a homestay in western Spain. She loved the way people there enjoyed wine, and she loved Spanish culture.
On her return her mother suggested a career in wine rather than political science, which she was finishing at Gettysburg College, and things took off from there: For graduation she received a trip to Napa Valley and the Culinary Institute of America’s Wine Lover’s Boot Camp. While there, Emma landed an internship with famed wine writer Karen MacNeil, whom she assisted in the production of the second edition of The Wine Bible.
A year into her internship, Emma returned to the CIA for the rigorous seven-month Accelerated Wine and Beverage Program, where one of her lecturers was our own Paul Wagner. After passing both the CIA program and the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Certified Sommelier exam with flying colors, she followed up with a really impressive job interview at Balzac and was invited to join our staff.
“I feel most wine consumers love wine for the story that goes with it, whether that’s the history of a winery or the memory of how wine became a part of their own lives,” says Emma. “What we do at Balzac plays a big part in helping consumers build that connection.”
Since 2015
View Full BioEmma Thomas
Emma’s path to wine expertise was inspired by her Mom’s gourmet meals paired with amazing wines, and then by a semester on a homestay in western Spain. She loved the way people there enjoyed wine, and she loved Spanish culture.
On her return her mother suggested a career in wine rather than political science, which she was finishing at Gettysburg College, and things took off from there: For graduation she received a trip to Napa Valley and the Culinary Institute of America’s Wine Lover’s Boot Camp. While there, Emma landed an internship with famed wine writer Karen MacNeil, whom she assisted in the production of the second edition of The Wine Bible.
A year into her internship, Emma returned to the CIA for the rigorous seven-month Accelerated Wine and Beverage Program, where one of her lecturers was our own Paul Wagner. After passing both the CIA program and the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Certified Sommelier exam with flying colors, she followed up with a really impressive job interview at Balzac and was invited to join our staff.
“I feel most wine consumers love wine for the story that goes with it, whether that’s the history of a winery or the memory of how wine became a part of their own lives,” says Emma. “What we do at Balzac plays a big part in helping consumers build that connection.”
Since 2015
Paul has been a part of Balzac from the very beginning. At first he was a freelancer we called on for a wide variety of activities; eventually we needed his help all the time, and made him an official part of the family. From client management and design to media contact, Paul does what needs to be done.
Over our 25-year history he has always been resourceful, smart, and enthusiastic, and in some ways we couldn’t live without him. And it helps that he knows how to do it all – his background includes stints at major magazines like Forbes and Motor Trend, and for many years he has volunteered his free time to run the parking for the massive Napa Valley Wine Auction. He does know how to get things done.
At the annual Balzac campout, Paul is in charge of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. He takes the role very seriously.
Since 1992
View Full BioPaul Rogers
Paul has been a part of Balzac from the very beginning. At first he was a freelancer we called on for a wide variety of activities; eventually we needed his help all the time, and made him an official part of the family. From client management and design to media contact, Paul does what needs to be done.
Over our 25-year history he has always been resourceful, smart, and enthusiastic, and in some ways we couldn’t live without him. And it helps that he knows how to do it all – his background includes stints at major magazines like Forbes and Motor Trend, and for many years he has volunteered his free time to run the parking for the massive Napa Valley Wine Auction. He does know how to get things done.
At the annual Balzac campout, Paul is in charge of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. He takes the role very seriously.
Since 1992
At an early age Ema lived with her family in Belgium, and there, with her father’s indefatigable enthusiasm, she began a lifelong exploration of culture, food and wine as an expression and celebration of place.
She brings that appreciation to her work here at Balzac as part of a marketing and public relations team that captures the imagination of wine enthusiasts while achieving our clients’ goals.
Prior to Balzac, Ema worked in marketing and non-profit development for more than fifteen years as a fund raiser, strategic planner and events manager. She also holds an MBA from San Francisco State University, a Wine Business Management Certificate / Level 1 from Sonoma State, and studied sensory wine evaluation at UC Davis.
Since 2016
View Full BioEma Ripley
At an early age Ema lived with her family in Belgium, and there, with her father’s indefatigable enthusiasm, she began a lifelong exploration of culture, food and wine as an expression and celebration of place.
She brings that appreciation to her work here at Balzac as part of a marketing and public relations team that captures the imagination of wine enthusiasts while achieving our clients’ goals.
Prior to Balzac, Ema worked in marketing and non-profit development for more than fifteen years as a fund raiser, strategic planner and events manager. She also holds an MBA from San Francisco State University, a Wine Business Management Certificate / Level 1 from Sonoma State, and studied sensory wine evaluation at UC Davis.
Since 2016
Every family needs a pet, and Maggie is ours. She is Mark’s six-year-old Labrador and she loves coming to work every day. She bounds into Balzac, races around to the different offices to say hello, and then settles in for the daily grind—on the rug at Mark’s feet. From there, she can see everyone who comes and goes, and greet them as needed. Though her work ethic is questionable (for instance, she sleeps on the job daily), her enthusiasm is contagious and she’s an integral part of the Balzac family.
Since 2016
View Full BioMaggie
Every family needs a pet, and Maggie is ours. She is Mark’s six-year-old Labrador and she loves coming to work every day. She bounds into Balzac, races around to the different offices to say hello, and then settles in for the daily grind—on the rug at Mark’s feet. From there, she can see everyone who comes and goes, and greet them as needed. Though her work ethic is questionable (for instance, she sleeps on the job daily), her enthusiasm is contagious and she’s an integral part of the Balzac family.
Since 2016
BALZAC COMMUNICATIONS CURRENT CLIENTS
International Regional Wine Associations
Association de Grands Crus Classés de Saint-Emilion (France)
Camara de Comercio e Industria de Alava (Spain)
Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Italy)
Furmint USA (Hungary)
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (France)
International Winery Clients
Carpene Malvolti (Italy)
Château Malartic-Lagraviere (France)
Gradis’ciutta (Italy)
Salentein Family of Brands (Argentina)
Sogevinus Fine Wines (Portugal)
Kopke, Burmester, Calem, Barros,and Sogevinus Family Wines
Villa Trasqua (Italy)
Domestic Winery Clients
Acaibo/Trinite Estate (Sonoma)
Arcudi Wines (Napa Valley)
Aril Wines (Napa Valley)
Beaulieu Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Experience Wines (Napa Valley)
Mendocino Wine Company (Mendocino County)
Miner Family Winery (Napa Valley)
Murrieta’s Well (Livermore Valley)
Oak Farm Vineyard (Lodi)
Taplin Cellars (Napa Valley)
Vino Noceto (Amador County)
Wagner Family of Wine (Napa Valley)
Warren Winiarski (Napa Valley)
Wente Family Estates (Livermore Valley)
Other Clients
American Vineyard Foundation
Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas
The Culinary Institute of America, St. Helena, CA
ETS Laboratories
Wine Scholar Guild
Lake County Winegrape Commission
Il Fiorello Olive Oil
Napa Valley Guidebook
Pure Tin Capsules
San Francisco Wine School
Sunset Magazine
TEXSOM
The County of Napa, California—
Office of the Agricultural Commissioner of Napa County
Public Information Programs: Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
and European Grapevine Moth
We chose the name of our agency as a tribute to French novelist Honoré de Balzac. A true character, he was manic and a workaholic, and he drank way too much coffee (up to fifty cups a day). He speculated wildly in several businesses, and he pursued the woman of his dreams for years before finally marrying her, only to die of ill health five months later at age fifty-one.
He was also a remarkable chronicler of his times, and wrote more than eighty novels and sociological studies of post-Napoleonic France, which he called The Human Comedy. Among literature’s outstanding achievements, these works portray the nitty-gritty, real-life loves and disappointments of everyday French people, and because they were written in the form of novels rather than academic papers, they not only come to life for the reader; they have also enshrined the author for posterity.
In some ways, this is what we try to do for our clients: We try to bring their stories to life in a way that goes beyond the simple facts, and create stories and emotional connection with the readers. But we drink way less coffee.
