I'm a transplanted Connecticut Yankee, born and raised in a huge extended family in New Haven, CT.; Mom was fifth of ten, Dad was fourth of nine. I have great childhood memories of learning about wine and food and great Italian Opera from PaBoo (I couldn't pronounce Grandpa Barbuto), my mother's father, during family dinners at his house.

My sister Pat, husband Al, their three kids, and numerous cousins are still living in Connecticut. Graduated from the charter class of Notre Dame High School, West Haven, CT., in June of 1950.

Enlisted in the Air Force June 23, 1950, three days before the Korean War broke out. After Basic Training in Texas, went to Link Trainer School (now called Flight Simulator School) as an Instructor and Maintenance Man. Stationed mainly at the Portland Air Base in Portland OR. during the Korean War, teaching instrument flying to reserve Air Force pilots. Discharged from there in June, 1954.

I Stayed in Portland and Married Kathy Ford in 1955, the smartest thing I ever did. She's the best cook I know and spoils the heck out of me! Helped her raise two boys and four girls, all now married and doing well. Our family includes six great kids and eight grandkids. We have twin grand-kids due in April, 2005, via our youngest daughter, Tracy.

Graduated with a bachelors in Engineering from the University of Portland in 1962, using the Korean War G.I. Bill and working forty hours per week to support my wife and children. Later earned a Masters in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. Stayed in the Pacific Northwest and worked as a civilian test engineer for the Navy for 28 years, retiring in July, 1988.

I decided to learn more about Northwest wine, beer and food by taking classes from Richard Kinses in Seattle, researching, traveling, tasting and writing about those subjects, then teaching others what I learned. My writing is focused on the Pacific Northwest, with frequent excursions to my favorite Italian wines, and to other wine-friendly countries, as I taste and enjoy those wines.

My writing career started with the wine and beer column for The Sun Newspaper, Bremerton, WA. in March of 1992. Began teaching wine classes in Kitsap County, on the Olympic Peninsula, in early 1994. I WAS a Contributing Writer to Wine Press Northwest Magazine since it’s second edition in the fall of 1998, and a Contributing Wine Writer to the Scripps-Howard News Service since August, 2002. Am currently writing the Wine Column for West Sound Home and Garden Magazine. Co-founded the Kitsap Enological Society WHICH STARTED in early 2004, AND lasted until June, 2010.

Nick Tomassi teaches wine- and beer-appreciation classes.
E-mail: info@tomassiwinecabinet.com.
Website: www.tomassiwinecabinet.com.