Chef Daniel Ernce began his career in consulting, working with large corporate clients to create new limited time offers for your favorite chains, all while being mentored by chefs with storied and Michelin-starred careers. In 2016, he began hosting pop-up dinners in Springfield, MO under the moniker Progress. Daniel then moved to Copenhagen to work in the Michelin scene there.

Upon returning to the states, Progress opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant, which Daniel owned and operated for five years, beating cancer along the way. The restaurant focused on seasonality and utilizing local artisans to create a menu which featured vegetable-focused dishes the same intentionally as protein-focused plates.

In 2023, he shuttered the restaurant and moved to NWA, where he worked with the Conifer team up until their James Beard nomination. Chef Ernce is now striking out on his own and joining the WINE NWA team to bring bespoke dinners to guests seeking to engage with food and wine on a high level.

Wine Enthusiast turned Financial Planner, or Financial Planner turned Wine Enthusiast?

Ian loves to try new wines and share them with interesting people. Ian’s day job is helping people align their money and their values through his planning firm, Bespoke Wealth, which means that he encourages his wine loving clients to spend intentionally on wine, and other experiences that are meaningful for them.

The passion driving WINE NWA is to inspire and foster the growing food and wine scene in Northwest Arkansas, and make it a destination for experiential arts and fine dining.

“I see myself as an outsider, not being a chef, but I want to promote the tremendously talented chefs, mixologists and winemakers who are creating art to share in our community.”

Ian and his wife Jes, an award winning Muralist, fine artist and tattoo artist live in Bentonville with their three children.

Laura Williamson is one of 35 female Master Sommeliers’ in the world. Born in Bentonville, Arkansas, a dry county for most her life, she passed the MS exam, noted by Forbes Magazine as “the world’s toughest wine exam,” when barely a dozen women in the world had done so.

She has directed Italian and German wine imports across the US and worked as Beverage Director for exclusive Michelin Three-Star, New York Times Four-Star and Forbes Five Star properties in NYC.

Currently, she advises and consults private clients while continuing to teach wine lovers to embrace their wine passion by exploring exotic grapes from remote zones to unlock their palate and expand preference.

Laura has shared her esteemed expertise through features on CBS, FOX, NBC, Forbes Magazine and Wine Spectator and is an adjunct faculty member for the New York Institute of Culinary Education (ICE).

Laura lends her passion and expertise to WINE NWA with exclusive private events and education as her way of giving back to the community she grew up in.

For more detail, visit: www.mymastersomm.com.

As the Grand Vizier of Vinous and Spiritous Libations (Stan’s official title) Stan brings decades of experience in wine, spirits and restaurant leadership to WINE NWA. His passion is sharing unique and unusual wines and cocktails in an informative and approachable way.

Stan brings decades of experience working with the top distributors in Arkansas to help source the finest wines and spirits for our events and friends.

Stan is an excellent chef and loves to share his culinary creations with wine nerds like us.

Stan and his wife Christi live in Springdale with their three children.