Meet us
Jeff
Steve
Steve
Jeff Gillis began his career in the hospitality industry, spending over 15 years as a food and beverage director, wine buyer, and wine director for renowned brands like The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Peninsula Hotel Group, and Bardessono in Napa Valley. Though new to the tech sector, he’s applied his hospitality expertise as Director of Ope
Jeff Gillis began his career in the hospitality industry, spending over 15 years as a food and beverage director, wine buyer, and wine director for renowned brands like The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Peninsula Hotel Group, and Bardessono in Napa Valley. Though new to the tech sector, he’s applied his hospitality expertise as Director of Operations at a biotech startup for the past five years.
Despite earning an MBA from the University of Illinois, Jeff hadn’t considered entrepreneurship until he recognized a gap for wine lovers seeking meaningful online connections. In 2021, he assembled a team of advisors and app developers to create Winelikes, a platform for wine enthusiasts to connect, learn, and share.
In addition to developing Winelikes, Jeff holds a WSET2 certification and teaches wine and hospitality as an adjunct professor at the College of the Canyons. He began his career in the hospitality industry, spending over 15 years as a food and beverage director, wine buyer, and wine director for renowned brands like The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Peninsula Hotel Group, and Bardessono in Napa Valley.
You can find Jeff on his app at www.winelikes.com to download
Steve
Steve
Steve
Hi, I’m Steve
I have always had an appreciation of wine. When I was little, my grandfather used to make his wine in the basement. During Sunday dinners he would share it with family and friends. Since then, I have always been intrigued by the winemaking process and learning about wine. So here I am in my mid-fifties finally getting around
Hi, I’m Steve
I have always had an appreciation of wine. When I was little, my grandfather used to make his wine in the basement. During Sunday dinners he would share it with family and friends. Since then, I have always been intrigued by the winemaking process and learning about wine. So here I am in my mid-fifties finally getting around to it.
I am an educator, and now that the kids are grown, I have decided to dive into the world of wines—not just any wine, but New Jersey wine. Why? Because everybody else is doing the whole European thing and the Napa scene. I wanted to be different. I wanted to be able to explore the local world around me. So, as I begin this journey, I ask you to come along and follow me as I tour wineries and vineyards throughout and around the Garden State.
I am also involved in a winemaking club where we make our wines from scratch. A bunch of good people from New Jersey enjoy making wine together. We pick the grapes, crush them, and everything else until bottling day. I will share all that fun stuff, too.
You can find Steve on his blog at https://steviestompsthegrape.com
Ben
Steve
Ben
Hello I am Ben, I started into the wine world on Instagram in 2024. As a way to stay accountable for my health. My background in relationship and community building has lead me to hanging around these two wonderful guys. For me wine is all about getting together with friend, meeting new people, and creating community.
Come run with Ben at https://www.instagram.com/wine_mile/?hl=en