Our Staff

Dan Lech, Wine Manager

We were lucky to snag Dan from our wine world competitors in 2008 to fill the role of Wine Manager. Did you know this unassuming gentleman brings 20 years of wine expertise to the table ? (Yep, he was pretty much formulating a wine career plan before he was born....) Dan is happily dedicated to selecting only the finest wines worthy of the BSFW’s community – at every price point. Of course, don’t let Dan’s more subdued nature fool you! When he’s not helping customers find their next adventure, tracking down their favorite bottle, or making recommendations for trips to wine country, he can be found playing the drums at some of Boston’s most noteworthy music venues. Yeah, bet you didn’t see that one coming!

Rebecca Rethore, Business Development/Wine Dept.

We first met Rebecca as a customer back in 2004. Her bountiful energy and passion for wine preceded her so much so that soon enough we had convinced her to switch careers and join the BSFW team. Today she’s our Director of Business Development and also Dan’s partner in crime in the Wine Department. She also happens to have her own private wine tasting event company, Pour Favor. When she’s not talking at the speed of light about wine (which we all know isn’t often), you can find Rebecca whipping something up in the kitchen, out on her road bike, or kicking back watching the game.

Nate Kruback, Beer Manager

Nate is the newest addition to our full time staff, but he's no newcomer to the ever-evolving, ever-growing, beloved Craft Brew universe. Born and raised in Colorado in the heart of the growing Craft Beer movement, Nate was sampling  Belgian Style Tripels and IPA's long before they became so wildly popular.  To say he's a "beer enthusiast" is a gross understatement - and as such has been a highly sought Beer Buyer and Manager at Boston area liquor stores for the past six years.  If Nate's not taking things to the next level here at BSFW, he's likely got his head in a book! He spends most of his free time researching Brewing and fermentation, and sets out to homebrew once every week or two.

Jonathan Vargas, Support Manager

Jonathan is our go-to everything guy. He knows the inside and out of our full operation and always goes out of his way to make sure customers find what they so desire. You’ll often find Jonathan at the shop “holding court” talking the talking, if he's not submerged keeping us organized on the lower decks, updating our technology or running off to make corporate deliveries. On days off, Jonathan can be found working his mojo on the (salsa) dance floor. Watch out!

Joe Ferraro, Gourmet Foods Buyer

Joe is the man behind the magic of our gorgeous, new and over-flowing cheese case and expanded gourmet selection. Joe is a long-time Somervillian who has plied his trade at some of the finest gourmet shops in the Boston area. Each week he assembles a fantastic assortment of the finest cheeses, patés and caviar available anywhere. He is single-handedly transforming our cheese case into its own destination location. Catch him in person from 4:30pm-11pm Wednesday - Saturday. He's sure to help you make the perfect selection (and for those in the market, might also be called upon to impart some of his own highly-sought men's fashion expertise)!

Chris Lianos, Spirits/Greek Wines Buyer

Ball Square Fine Wines’ ever-present, jovial, if not salt-n-peppahd personality, Chris, is also the shop Spirits Buyer and Greek wines guru. (Yes, if you didn’t know it yet, Ball Square boasts Massachusetts largest, most comprehensive portfolio of Greek wines; and it’s all Chris’ doing!) Chris has over 25 years experience in the retail and wine industry and has been humbly running a good portion of the show at Ball Square Fine Wines since 2001. He’s kind of like our resident "Sam", you know, from “Cheers”? But most exciting for staff and customers alike, it's Chris’ vision that's responsible for the shop’s impressive 2009 expansion and renovation. Stop on by! He’ll know your name soon enough.