Partners
DAVID KUPSKY – MANAGING DIRECTOR
After over twenty years of practicing trial law, David Kupsky has learned that life and business is very rewarding when more of it is spent in the tasting room and less in the court room. Many years of travel experiences through the Douro, Dao and Bairrada wine regions of Portugal introduced David to the wide variety of wines and foods routinely consumed in Europe but not widely available in the United States. With partners Victor Marques and Mario Ferreira, David created Esprit du Monde predecessor, Portuguese Wine Imports, with the vision of introducing the unique varietal wines of Portugal to the US. With its ability to import outstanding products from many of the world’s finest wine regions, Esprit du Monde greatly enhances this vision. David is based in New York City, USA.
TIM CAMPBELL – PARTNER
Tim Campbell’s path to Napa Valley and the wine industry was not a typical one. During 25+ years in east coast Information Technology, Tim and his wife Nancy discovered wine. Starting as enthusiasts and hobbyists, they soon found themselves becoming involved in wine shop tastings, winemaker dinners and frequent vacations to many of the US wine regions. A few visits to Napa Valley made them quickly realize that Napa was where they truly wanted to live and work. After relocating in 2000, Tim began his wine industry with Trinchero Family Estates, Sutter Home Winery. Tim then became General Manager for Richard Partridge Wines, a small family-owned winery producing extremely high end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Four years after moving to Napa, Tim stepped out on his own, founding TNC Wine Partners LTD, a wine broker business servicing the sales and marketing needs of small production, family-owned and unique wineries. With the help and support of dedicated partners nationwide, TNC grew quickly to representing over 100 properties in over 30 states in the USA and in Canada. Tim then began to consider imports and after several “research trips” to France, Spain, Italy and Portugal the decision was clear – the time was right to expand into the import/export arena for wines, spirits and other gourmet products meeting select criteria for quality and uniqueness.
In early 2007, as the business model and plans for an import business were being developed, Tim was fortunate enough to meet the principals of Portuguese Wine Imports, an import wine broker firm based on the east coast. After many hours of exchanging business ideas, sharing wine world stories and enjoying a very heart-healthy sampling of fine wine, the decision to join forces and talent and form Esprit du Monde LLC was made. Tim, along with his TNC partner Rolf Roth, based in British Columbia, and the principals of Portuguese Wine Imports went to work creating the foundation for this new and exciting import/export firm.
RUDOLF (ROLF) ROTH - OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
After several decades of business management and information systems consulting for corporate and government clients in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Northeast Asia, Rolf “discovered” the world of wine in Napa, California, late in the 20th century. Preferring life “west of the Rockies in wine territory” to interminable international travel, Rolf has since enjoyed working on the West Coast of the USA and Canada. In partnership with TNC Wine Partners LTD., he has advised wineries, distributors and importers on the West Coast on developing their business, financial and logistics plans. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Rolf manages logistics and administrative systems – while continuing to actively participate in the joy of tasting select wines with his partners.
VICTOR MARQUES – NATIONAL SALES MANAGER
A native of Anadia, Portugal, Victor Marques possesses a passion for Portuguese wine and food. Victor was a founding member of the Portuguese-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast. With the Chamber, Victor worked closely with the Portuguese Trade Commission to establish trade partnerships and business relations between Portuguese and American businesses. Victor possesses a strong back background in sales, including sales of European consumer products in the United States. Victor takes great pride in being part of a dynamic organization bringing Portuguese wines and other fine products to the US. Victor maintains a residence in Fiqueira da Foz, Portugal and is based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.