Michael Guerra

 

Mike is co-owner and wine 'négociant' of Enoteca La Storia, and oversees the selection of all retail shelf, by-the-glass and club wines. Mike is 100% Calabrese – Calabria being the region that comprises the toe of Italy's 'boot.' The area is just a mere 10 miles (at the widest point) across the Strait of Messina from Sicily (which may account for the fact that Joe and Mike are often mistaken for brothers).

 

A third-generation San Jose native, Mike comes from a family rich in tradition and history in the food, wine and hospitality business. Mike's paternal great-grandfather, Joe Guerra, operated a San Jose grocery business from 1924 to 1954, followed by Mike's paternal grandfather (and namesake) who also operated a grocery store (est. 1946) on the corner of 23rd and Santa Clara Streets. The Guerra's ultimately transitioned to real estate with Guerra Realty, which Mike's father (Joe) and uncle (Michael) own to this day. From 1964 to 1974, Mike's maternal grandparents (Fortino) owned and operated Villa Pace in Hollister, California – a landmark Italian restaurant still fondly remembered for the quality of its authentic Italian food and unparalleled hospitality.

 

Family connections aside, Mike's transition into wine was not a traditional one. Originally a social worker by trade, Mike's educational background includes a Psychology degree from Santa Clara University, followed by a Master's Degree in Social Welfare at the University of California at Berkeley and a one-year Post-Master's Clinical Fellowship at the Yale University Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut. In his junior year at Santa Clara University, Mike traveled abroad to study for one year in Rome, Italy – a trip that he claims ignited his initial passion for wine.

 

A social worker from 1992 to 1999, Mike decided to pursue his interest in wine with a position at The Wine Club Santa Clara, at the time the premiere wine shop in the Santa Clara Valley. Mike next took a position at K & L Wine Merchants to serve as Assistant Italian Wine Buyer in Redwood City. After a few years with K&L, Mike was approached by investors to help found Vintage Wine Merchants in San Jose, where he served as managing partner and directed the retail store and wine bar's wine inventory until 2009.

 

Mike possesses knowledge of wines from all over the world, as well as an affinity for developing and implementing food pairing programs, developing and leading wine education events, and managing private and corporate tasting functions. Mike has been featured in articles in the San Jose Business Journal and San Jose Magazine and interviewed for segments on "In Wine Country" and 2 different episodes on KRON-TV.

 

In particular, Mike is intrigued by the classic wine regions of Europe – evident in his sincere desire to expand customer's awareness and exposure to lesser-known, international varietals and labels. But even more importantly, Michael is known among customers for his low-key, approachable attitude about wine.

 

Mike is excited and proud to revive his family and cultural traditions by combining his "old world" sensibilities with his education and wine industry experience to create a casual, unique and authentic place for people to gather and enjoy interesting wine, delicious food and lively conversation – Enoteca La Storia! Benvenuti!