We’re a passionate group of wine and food enthusiasts dedicated to connecting people with unforgettable events. From intimate tastings to large-scale festivals, our team works behind the scenes to make discovering and promoting wine, food, and beverage experiences easy and enjoyable.
Cheers to great events and even better memories — get to know the people making it all happen!
Eric V. Orange has dedicated over four decades to the wine industry, building a multifaceted career that spans viticulture, sales, education, and entrepreneurship. Following his service in the U.S. Navy's Submarine Service, he began his journey into the world of wine at Millbrook Vineyards in New York, where he spent nearly five years as Vineyard Supervisor, mastering grape cultivation and winemaking.
Transitioning into wine sales, Orange held positions as a Wine Representative for a local wholesaler and later as District Manager for Paterno Imports in Colorado. During this period, he earned certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the International Wine Guild, reflecting his commitment to wine education.
In 1999, after 15 years in wine sales, Orange left his job and invested $300 in computer and internet courses at CompUSA. This pivotal decision led him to establish LocalWineEvents.com in July 2000, aiming to create a centralized platform for wine, food, beer, and spirits events. The website quickly gained traction, expanding to over 500 localities worldwide and becoming a leading resource for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Throughout his career, Orange has been recognized for his innovative contributions to the wine community, including the development of mobile applications and partnerships with renowned wine educators. His efforts have significantly enhanced the accessibility and appreciation of wine events globally.
James Gribbons is the Chief Technology Officer at LocalWineEvents.com, where he has been working alongside Eric since 2007 to drive the platform’s
growth and innovation.
Over the years, James has been instrumental in enhancing the site’s features and functionality, ensuring a seamless, high-performance experience for both event hosts and consumers. He has led the development of cutting-edge technologies, which have helped
establish LocalWineEvents.com as a trusted global resource for discovering and promoting wine, food, and drink experiences.
Before joining LocalWineEvents.com, James founded and worked at multiple tech startups, gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience and honing his skills in building scalable digital solutions. James is passionate about technology, data-driven insights, and continuous innovation, and he remains committed to helping LocalWineEvents.com bring people together through memorable events and experiences.
Kate Begley is the Chief Operating Officer at LocalWineEvents.com, overseeing strategic operations, business development, and partnerships to expand the company’s presence in the wine, food, and beverage event space.
With over 25 years of senior leadership experience at a Fortune 100 company, Kate has a proven track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships. She spent 25 years at Aetna in leadership roles, developing innovative solutions to improve member health and well-being. She then served as Chief Growth Officer at Health Advocate, a leading patient advocacy and well-being company.
Most recently, she played a key role in launching and scaling a mental health company focused on college students, ultimately leading it as CEO as it transitioned toward acquisition in 2024.
Lee is a WSET Level 2 in Wines (via the Capital Wine School), and an AWAI-certified social media strategist and publicist with over 10 years of experience. Passionate about the wine, food, and spirits industry, Lee specializes in helping businesses grow their online presence and connect with their audience in meaningful ways, and she's been our social media publicist for over a decade.
With a strong background in book publishing and public relations, Lee has a knack for getting her clients noticed. She’s landed media coverage in top outlets like Entrepreneur, NBC, and FOX29, showcasing her expertise in creating buzz. Lee has also collaborated with iconic names, including the legendary Gladys Knight and the late Stephen Furst of Animal House fame, along with renowned book authors, which inspired her to launch her own dynamic social media and PR agency, OfftheVinePr.com.
She enjoys searching for the perfect funky orange pét-nat, and one of her favorite pairings would be a crisp Loire Valley Cab Franc and a good book... or maybe a French bakery and zero regrets.
Lee believes a good glass of bubbly makes anything a reason to celebrate, and her wine motto is "Life’s too short to drink bad wine."
Drew Adubato is a marketing and brand development professional with a background in retail buying, product development, and event promotions. As Marketing & Promotions Manager at LocalWineEvents.com, he focuses on expanding the platform’s reach, developing strategic partnerships, and curating engaging wine, food, and beverage experiences for consumers.
Before joining LocalWineEvents.com, Drew held strategic buying and product development roles at Steve Madden, Barneys New York, and Hermès, where he gained expertise in trend analysis, inventory management, and brand positioning. His experience in luxury retail and event planning, combined with a keen eye for consumer engagement, makes him a valuable asset in growing LocalWineEvents.com’s influence in the marketplace.
Peter Adubato is a strategic marketing and business development professional with a strong background in event coordination, brand engagement, and executive communications. As Marketing and Promotions Manager at LocalWineEvents.com, he drives event visibility, fosters partnerships, and enhances audience engagement within the wine, food, beer, and spirits industries.
Prior to joining LocalWineEvents.com, Peter served as Chief of Staff to the President at The Commonwealth Club of California, where he managed high-profile events, executive communications, and stakeholder engagement. He also gained experience in business development at Global Marketing Supply Chain, working on luxury brand market strategies, and at Atlantic Media, where he focused on audience engagement and membership growth. Earlier in his career, Peter contributed to marketing efforts for the New York Cosmos, assisting with sponsorship activations and press events. His diverse experience in marketing, promotions, and relationship management makes him a valuable asset in growing LocalWineEvents.com’s reach and impact.
Outside of work he enjoys traveling, reading about current events, golfing and rooting for Philadelphia sports teams.
