The FTLOP Team
In 2005, Mario decided to further explore adventures on the African continent and seek out business opportunities there as well. Nowadays, he spends most of his time traveling throughout a variety of countries in Africa, while consulting for a Spanish-based company (non-wine/beverage related). Also in 2005, Mario partnered with Roy to develop and co-host bespoke Port, Douro and Madeira wine and food explore-vacations. In more recent years, they have branched out and now blanket ten wine regions throughout Portugal and Madeira. Mario remains committed to FTLOP’s oenotourism program and together, he and Roy have brought more than three dozen groups to visit his country.
Andy has been involved with FTLOP since its early days and he’s loved every minute of it, while moderating our forum and writing several Guest Corner articles for the newsletter. Additionally, Andy has been a guest lecturer at a California State University on the wines of the Douro region. Besides his love for Portuguese wine, Andy also seriously enjoys old California wines.
A little known fact is that David was the first person to ever sign up for and attend the Port Harvest Tour, back in 2005 and has been on our trips seven times including the island of Madeira. David lives amongst the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains along with his wife and two teenage sons. When he is not drinking Port or involved with his computer, David likes to hike, backpack, and ski with his family.
Stewart remains a student of Port, and became a Port Wine Educator so that he could share his passion with others. He conducts educational Port tastings for wineries, wine clubs & tasting groups, and private events.
Stewart was inducted as a Cavaleiro (Knight) in the Confraria do Vinho do Porto (Port Wine Brotherhood) in 2016. He was promoted to Fidalgo Cavaleiro (Noble Knight) for his continued efforts to educate and promote the reputation of Port wine, and for his contributions to the Confraria.
In addition to his annual travel to Portugal’s wine regions to taste Port, Douro wine and Madeira, he is also a faithful fan of Seattle Sounders soccer and Auburn Tiger college football.
Roy is a passionate student of wines from around the globe. Since 1999, he’s served as a professional judge at wine competitions in North America and the Iberian Peninsula. He has taught classes and written hundreds of articles on Port and Madeira for FTLOP, other websites and wine magazines such as Somm, and The World of Fine Wine. Roy traveled extensively throughout North America to promote the wines of Portugal, presenting educational wine tasting seminars to consumers, private organizations and members of the wine trade. Roy’s annual adventures guiding small groups on exclusive once-in-a-lifetime “insider’s tours” to discover authentic wine and food culture within Portugal’s wine regions has gained media attention and a loyal following.
In 2016, Roy’s FTLOP website was inducted into the Port Wine Brotherhood, as the “first non-human entity” enthroned in the organization’s history and in the very same year, Hersh was also inducted into the Confraria da Vinha Madeira. More recently, in June 2017, Roy was the first American to be promoted to the rank of Infanção by the Port Wine Confraria, and the first individual to become a member of both Portuguese Brotherhoods beyond the confines of the Portuguese wine trade. Roy recently embarked on a new adventure in life, and permanently moved to Porto, in June 2022. He’ll continue co-hosting tours and writing about Portuguese wines, with easy access to his favorite regions!