Mary Kate moved to Eagle RIver in 1977 when her parents purchased the attached gift shop. She enjoys having a glass of wine with friends and family and that is why her and husband John, opened Mary Kate’s Wine Bar. Though she tends to enjoy a white wine, especially Chardonnay and Sauvingon Blanc, she is learning to appreciate red wines more, especially after visiting Italy. Right now, her is enjoying exploring the wines of France. Mary Kate became a Certified Wine Specialist through the Society of Wine Educators in 2024.
John, co-owner of Mary Kate’s is an avid wine and scotch drinker. He enjoys doing side-by-side comparisons of wines and seeing he differences between them. His favorite varietal is Sangiovese and his favorite region is Tuscany. John is a full-time academic coach for Mathematics with CMP math company. John became a Certified Specialist of Wine throught the Society of Wine Educators in 2024.
Eric is originally from the Milwaukee area and moved to Eagle River in 2017 with his wife, Marilyn. Eric has a passion for oenology along with a keen nose, sense of aromas and a refined palate. Eric has become synonymous with the world of fine wines. His journey into the realm of viticulture started years ago, fueled by a curiosity and passion to understand the nuances of grape varieties and terroir. Eric joined the Mary Kate’s Wine Bar team from day one. Eric became a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators in 2023. Depending on the day, Eric’s favorite varietals are Merlot, other Bordeaux varietals, and bold, tannic varietals such as Aglianico, Sagrantino, Petite Sirah, and of course, Cabernet Sauvignon. Eric loves to share his love and knowledge of wine with the Mary Kate’s Wine Bar staff and clientel.
