Curtis is a 20-year veteran of the US wine industry. He started his career in hospitality at ZD Wines in the Napa Valley, where he first discovered his passion for wine. After graduating with an MBA (University of California, Davis), he worked as a brand manager for Trinchero Family Estates and then at Information Resources Inc. as director of wine and spirits insights. From 2013 to 2020, Curtis worked for Raley's, a 125-store specialty supermarket chain in California. As director of alcohol and beverage, he re-shaped the chain's wine offerings leading to a significant growth in sales over his time at the chain. In 2020 he was appointed Group Vice President of Wine, Beer and Spirits for Albertsons Companies, one of the largest retailers of wine in the US. The wine press has noticed his efforts as he is the only person to win Wine Enthusisast's Wine Star Award for Retailer of the Year twice (once for Raley's and once for Albertsons). He was also named one of the most influential people in the Wine Industry by Wine Business Monthly in 2020. Curtis, his wife and two children currently reside in Davis, California.

Current employer: Albertsons Companies (Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel Osco, etc.)

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Buying, Off trade, Wine judge

Wine styles: Cava, Champagne, Cremant, Madeira, Port, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Alsace, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Champagne, France, Germany, Hawke's Bay, Loire, Marlborough, New Zealand, Pfalz, South Australia, USA

Market expertise: North America

Specialisms: Branding, Financial and commercial structures, Supplier/customer relationships, Supermarket and multiple retail, Wine laws and regulations, Wine judging