91ÃÛÌÒß¹

 "From the fruit to the bottle, that's what I do," said Greg Brewer, winemaker at in Lompoc, CA. Brewer, who produces wine at three different vineyards, spoke to a packed room of 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ Management Program students, staff and attendees during today's Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs session, the second in a series of eight lectures.

"I want to be taken somewhere. I want to be challenged. And I want someone who cares," Brewer said, advising the audience to harness their passion and creativity when launching their own ideas into successful personal businesses. Forever a wine fanatic, Brewer has launched two wineries in addition to being the winemaker at Melville. With just $12,000, Brewer and his business partner created , a winery that focuses on producing wines from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Fourteen years after the launch, Brewer-Clifton now produces 10,000 cases of wine each year.

Brewer was eager to share his nearly 20 years of industry experience with 91ÃÛÌÒß¹'s Management students, as he emphasized the importance of taking ownership and creating an identity behind your product. "There's a sweet spot between being confident and being vulnerable," he said. "And I cannot stress enough to think out of the box." From his start as a wine-taster making $5.50 an hour, to being a winemaker at Melville, Brewer-Clifton and his latest and personal winery, , Brewer is a testament to the power of the entrepreneurial spirit. "I'm not driven by money," he said. "But if you love what you do, then it will just come." 91ÃÛÌÒß¹'s Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs series is open to both 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ students and to the public.

To see a full schedule and to register online, visit 91ÃÛÌÒß¹.