Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1963. In 1986, Bob started, owned and operated a specialty wine retail outlet in Traverse City, Michigan. The business flourished until it was sold in 2002, the year that he became an MW. In 2003, he moved to the corporate side of the business to Bentonville, Arkansas to take the Category Lead role for wine, spirits and beer for Sam's Club US (a division of Wal-Mart). In 2009, he transitioned to the Category Director role over wine, spirits and beer for Southeastern Grocers based in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2013, he moved again, this time coast to coast, as the Senior Vice President of Wine for Bevmo stores in San Francisco, California. Then, in 2017, Bob made the move to Melbourne, Australia as Head of Sourcing - Beverage Alcohol for Coles stores, with primary responsibility for private label and exclusive brands development. In late 2018, he moved back to California to operate his consulting business. In 2024, he established Moxie Wine Group, an importer of private label and exclusive branded wines sourced broadly from around the world. In December of 2022, he launched a YouTube channel. @bobpaulinskimasterofwine

Current employer: Moxie Wine Group

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy

Industry sector(s): Project management, Business owner, Agency/Importer, Off trade, Buying, Journalism, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge, International trade, Import/Export, Wine business strategy, Wine buying

Wine region expertise: Abruzzo, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Marlborough, New Zealand, USA, France, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Champagne, Spain, Italy, Piedmont, Tasmania, California, Washington, Slovenia

Market expertise: Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South East Asia, South America

Specialisms: Blending, Packing and labelling, Bulk shipment, Legal compliance on authorised packaging and labelling, Sensory evaluation , Marketing wine, Financial and commercial structures, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Importation, Distribution, Supermarket and multiple retail, Independent retail, Wine labels, Branding, Supply chain efficiency, Wine judging