THE STORY BEHIND

Like many great ideas, the vision of  “5” wines, came to life while award winning Chef Leah Di Bernardo and Peter Balsamo had a late night wine drinking session, entrenched in the conversation of small batch produced-fine wines and the importance of sustainability within food and wine… Leah & Pete realized a vision was born, and through their working together at Leah’s successful farm to table eatery, E.A.T Marketplace, located in the heart of Temecula Valley Wine Country, they dug in.

Combined, the dynamic duo, have 50 years experience in food and beverage, and a born passion for crafted food and wine. The conversation of creating convivial- sustainable and delicious wines, transcended into the natural partnership of B&D Merchants.

Recently featured in Sunset Magazine and Huffington Post, founder and award winning chef of Extraordinary Artisan Table, Leah Di Bernardo recognized that improving our food system and our health, starts with foraging from small batch purveyors and local farmers, but also showing people how to source and utilize sustainable, clean ingredients. Chef is dedicated to her craft and has spent the last 15 years founding, creating and teaching school garden programs that are edible and academic. Leah’s local food-oriented business experience has helped her to form effective working relationships with local government agencies, service organizations and many other businesses around the world. Leah has been featured in over 100 magazine, newspaper and on-line feature stories- all toting the dedication and fortitude to the Good-Food movement. She hails from a lifetime of cooking with her Italian/American family and a creative 13 years in film production between Manhattan and Los Angeles, in both commercial/music video and feature films.

Peter Balsamo began managing Wine and Spirit retail businesses at the burgeoning age of 18. News soon traveled of the young talented, “wine guy”, and Peter was hired for his first supplier role by Peconic Bay Winery and the Illustrious Jim Silver, ending up as Head of Sales for the award winning company. Broadening his wine knowledge, Peter spent the next 7 years crafting his trade of wholesale and distribution with corporations including Southern Wine & Spirits and Charmer Sunbelt. Peter was fortunate to work within a management role at Maurice Cooper Et Cie. as well as establishing trade routes in the Americas for vintners throughout Spain, Germany, Croatia, France as well as Italy. This Tour de Vin, sculpted Peter’s path in fine wines and spirits, and rooted the sensibility of his craft. His passion for the world of wine is unparalleled with a young, determined spirit that transcends his age.

The origins of the name “5” have multiple meanings for the founders. 5 can signify the five stages of the winemaking process; harvesting, pressing, fermentation, clarification and bottling. 5 can also symbolize the five steps in tasting wine; see, swirl, smell, sip and savor. Although meeting in California, Leah and Peter’s share similarities and roots from within the 5 boroughs of NYC. As you know now; 5 was born.