Stephen Bachmann: A Profile
When investment banking left him bottled up Steve Bachmann uncorked his true passion...the world of wine. The 45-year-old entrepreneur launched Vinfolio in 2003, a turnkey, white-glove wine store that does everything for the serious collector as well as avid wine enthusiast - from buying, selling and cellar management to more in-depth collector services. Having just relaunched a more dynamic version of www.vinfolio.com, Bachmann always keeps a keen eye on improving the offerings of his company. At home in San Francisco, Bachmann shares his views on all things vinous, coconuts and seven stranded castaways.
Supply a needed ingredient to happiness
Curiosity and the freedom to explore it
What book are you reading?
"Small is the new big" by Seth Godin
What was your most memorable bottle of wine?
At Union Square Café, in 1988, it was a glass of sauternes, Chateau d'Yquem. It was the first date with my wife Kim.
What was your favorite TV show in childhood?
Gilligan's Island
Who did you identify with the most?
The Professor
Cite an achievement for which we should remember you
I was an Eagle Scout
Name your favorite dessert
Coconut in anything
What wine is the sexiest?
Red burgundy
What is your most treasured possession?
Memories of experiences with my family
The place where you are happiest?
Skiing in Deer Valley, Utah
Which living person do you most admire?
Entrepreneurs everywhere
Who is your hero?
A schoolmate named Brad Margus. Two of his kids have a rare genetic disease, ataxia-telangiectasia (AT). A businessman, Brad taught himself genetics and founded the AT Children's Project which helps fund research to fight the disease. He rose to the challenge.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Abraham Lincoln, for his recognition of the "best" in people, vision, tenacity, and ability to coalesce diverse interests to reach his goals.
What's your least favorite aspect of the wine industry?
Interstate shipping laws
What was your proudest moment?
Getting into Princeton from a public high school in Florida
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be fluent in French
What characteristic do you like to see in people?
Common sense
Of the seven deadly sins which do you dislike the most?
Sloth
What weakness do you fight in yourself?
Obsessing over details. It's a hold over from my investment banking days. Where you put the comma in the number made a big difference.
Do you have a secret passion? What is it?
It's no secret. It's wine.
Share the last thing you listened to on your iPod?
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Where's your favorite wine region?
Burgundy
Favorite thing to chuck on the Weber grill?
Butterflied leg of lamb
Choose the wine to accompany your last meal?
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tache
