About
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Under the experienced and meticulous direction of Marc Le Grand, our premium French oak alternative program is crafted with our partners at J.M. Gonçalves cooperage to bring some of the finest and unique alternative products to the Wine industry.
While our process may be carefully crafted and time-staking, our philosophy is simple. We find that utilizing only fine and extra-fine grain wood, that has been seasoned properly, lends to a product that will build structure, create mouthfeel and lend flavors that integrate into your wine. Through state of the art convection toasting we can consistently create flavors desired by the market. Maintaining control over this entire process, from start to finish, lends to consistency year over year.
OUR TEAM
Mike Williams
Co-Owner
Mike Williams is the co-founder and principal partner of Amalé Oak Importers and Left Coast Wine Packaging. Mike is a graduate of California State University, Chico where he received a BA in Communications and Business. After graduation, Mike launched his career in Napa, Oregon and California’s Central Coast where he began his specialization in wine packaging sales. Mike has worked with and been involved in introducing several major wine packaging manufactures and brands into the North American market, brands that are now household names within the industry. Throughout his career Mike has worked in roles as account manager, sales manager, director of sales, vice president and at the executive level. Mike is a wine packaging expert with a focus on wine bottle closures, barrels and oak alternatives. After nineteen years of experience in wine packaging and oak, Mike decided branch out on his own and start his own company and formed two LLCs, Amalé Oak Importers and Left Coast Wine Packaging. Amalé Oak Importers and Left Coast Wine Packaging are service and solution focused companies with a passion for solving the packaging and oak needs of our customers.
Brian Bernstein
Co-Owner
Brian Bernstein is the co-founder and principal partner of Amalé Oak Importers and Left Coast Wine Packaging. Brian is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder where he received his BA in Communications and Italian. During college, Brian spent a year abroad in Florence studying art history and Italian. After graduation Brian moved back to Italy to further his Italian studies and work in the restaurant industry for a year. Soon after returning, he begun his career in the wine industry focusing on wine packaging and oak products for the California wine market. Through his tenure in the oak and wine packaging business, Brian helped to grow and establish several major brands within the US market. Starting off his career as a sales representative, Brian held roles expanding to product specific brand champion, oxygen management leadership and sales manager. After eight years in wine packaging and oak sales, Brian wanted to take his experience and expertise to build something for himself and his family. He joined forces with Mike Williams to form two LLCs; Amalé Oak Importers and Left Coast Wine Packaging. Brian has a passion for service and solution focused business and feels these attributes are paramount in a successful business.
Chuck Carlson
Account Manager- Central Coast Region
Chuck Carlson’s winemaking career in Santa Barbara County spans more than 35 years, including the past twelve years as the proprietor of Carlson Wines, specializing in limited-edition wines including Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills along with Cabernet Franc and several aromatic white wines from the Santa Ynez Valley. As a young winemaker with a newly minted enology degree from Fresno State University, Chuck first joined Zaca Mesa Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he helped create the winery’s groundbreaking Rhône varietal program. The “school of Zaca Mesa” has since become renowned for launching the careers of many notable Central Coast winemakers. For nearly 20 years, Chuck served as the winemaker at Curtis Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, which was founded as one of California’s first wineries to specialize exclusively in Rhône varietals. Chuck continues to reside in Arroyo Grande and will remain active in his “Carlson” wine brand. He is looking forward to working with the Left Coast Wine Packaging team to further promote all of the products that are represented throughout the Central Coasts winemaking community.
Ron Varner
General Manager
Ron Varner serves as the General Manager of Left Coast Wine Packaging and Amale Oak Importers. Ron Graduated from University of California at Santa Barbara with a BS in Chemical Engineering and later received an MBA from St. Mary’s College in Moraga.
After working for several years as an engineer Ron pursued his desire to enter the wine industry by joining a local wine packaging company in production management. Ron held several positions with the company and the led the way in launching an oak division. He eventually became Vice President of Operations and helped propel the company to new levels of success.
Ron then transitioned to one of the largest wine packaging and supply companies in the world where he held numerous roles, including: Director of Closure Operations, Technical Services and Bottling Operations. He finished his role as Director of one of the most successful winery equipment supply and service companies in Napa.
With more than 25 years in the wine industry and a commitment to customer service, Ron joined Amale Oak Importers and Left Coast Wine Packaging to put his passion and experience to use and help take the company to new levels.