Roy Hersh has worked in the food and wine industry for over 25 years. He is a member of the Sommelier Society of Washington, DC, and the Enological Society of Seattle. In his free time, he travels extensively throughout the wine-growing regions of North America, Europe and Africa. Roy has been involved in consulting projects for restaurants, country clubs, casinos and various wine-related ventures. A couple of years ago, he won the Bacchus Award as "Restaurateur of the Year" from an Oregon wine group when he was directing the purchasing and beverage programs for a chain of Italian restaurants on the West coast. Roy has also served as a professional wine judge since 1999 for the New World International Wine Competition in California. Additionally he was a judge on the panel of the Oregon State Fair Professional Wine Competition and in 2005 also judged at the Washington State Fair Wine Competition.

Considered one of the leading Port wine authorities and journalists in the United States, in June 2003, Roy was one of just two Americans selected by the Port and Douro Wine Institute (IVDP) to be "enthroned" into their "Confraria" (Port wine brotherhood), that was attended by President Sampaio of Portugal. To honor his oath to the Confraria, Roy began writing a monthly newsletter, For The Love Of Port, in February of 2004. It is sent to Port aficionados in nearly 40 countries. If you would like to receive this free newsletter, follow the link to our Registration Page.

Roy is a passionate student of wines from around the world. He has taught classes and written many articles on wine, most of which were specifically related to Port and Madeira. (You will find a number of his Port reports online in our Articles section). He maintains an unassuming collection of vintage Ports and an extensive library which is dedicated exclusively to tomes on Port and Madeira. Once a year, Hersh hosts a renowned Port tasting near his home, in the Seattle area. His 2003 Vintage Port forecast can be found by following the link above. Port-related E-mails can be directed to Roy at roy@fortheloveofport.com or posted on our Forum.

Stewart Todd, who serves as Vice President of Technology, works for a Seattle financial institution, but spends much of his free time consulting with small companies on using cost-effective technologies to build their businesses. He specializes on helping small businesses get on the web, and as a budding Port aficionado, is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with For The Love Of Port. You can contact Stewart at admin@fortheloveofport.com.

Mario Ferreira will serve as Travel Partner and Advisor at FTLOP. Mario worked for Sandeman while in Portugal, and then moved to the United States to work for Seagram's™ Chateau & Estate Wines Company. Mario then had a brief stint with a California based wine importer and distributor, before returning to Portugal to embrace an outstanding opportunity to work for the Port Wine Institute (IVP). He spent the past five years as the Port and Douro Wine Institute's (IVDP) Port "Ambassador" to North America. Mario will join forces with Roy Hersh and together they will run a progressive wine and dine travel company, that will lead explorations of the Port and Madeira wine regions.