Today we’d like to introduce you to Wynn Pennington.
Hi Wynn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am an Atlanta native, born in Grady hospital, and have lived in Castleberry Hill since 1988. When I moved here there were very few people here, mostly artists. None of us knew each other, as there was no where to meet your neighbors. Most of the buildings on Peters Street were boarded up allowing us to drive golf balls down the street. To give you an idea of how desolate it was, Robocop 2 was filmed on Peters as it looked truly post Armageddon.
I was in the fine wine business since 1982 as a retailer, then opened the Marriott Marquis in 1985 as the sommelier, then into wholesale after winning the silver medal in a sommelier competition (the now defunct Atlanta International Wine Festival). But, I got fired from my wholesale sales position for my hair style. I was doing some hair modeling and had extensions in my hair, and the sales manager disapproved.
I decided to start throwing after hours raves and that became hugely successful due mainly to the fact that there was no one here to get upset about the loud music. It was at that time that I met my first neighbors (2) in 1989 when they attended my raves. We had no restaurants, bars, any place to meet as neighbors. By 1992 I was back in the fine wine business. I was sought after by retailers, restaurants, and wholesalers, and grew tired of the rave scene.
Then the Olympics came in 1996 and Castleberry Hill got developed. Though there were then hundreds of us in Castleberry Hill, there was still no where to meet your neighbors. In 2006 the first restaurants and bars opened, and I got to meet my new neighbors for the first time. The 2006 and 2010 World Cup’s created an opportunity to meet, and by 2014 a few of us formed the Castleberry Hill Athletic Club (CHAC), a non-profit (501c3) soccer and sports club. I was asked to be the president.
We teamed up with Soccer in the Streets (Sanjay Patel), and our local community center: The John Hope community center. That is when I met William Oliver who runs the Steamsportinc program at the John Hope Community Center, a free robotics program for under served kids in Atlanta. He introduced me to Ms. Linda Adams at the Vine City Community Center. Both centers had a youth soccer program with Soccer in the Streets and the CHAC started working with them providing hot dogs, drinks, snacks at their Saturday matches. We also lined the fields, acted as refs, and would come out and cheer the kids on.
The CHAC then decided in 2015 to raise funds for the Steamsportinc robotics program.
In addition to soccer we expanded to monthly neighborhood competitions: Cornhole, croquet, table tennis, the Urban Regatta (a one of a kind bicycle boat race), Fist -a-Con ( an annual celebration of our neighborhood super hero: The Crimson Fist), and The Games (an adult field day: sack races, tug of war, relay races, etc), and last but not least: CHAC tv. CHAC tv is a mock news show we do annually celebrating the events the club has completed during the year, and making fun of us at the same time. It is so much fun! You can see some of our episodes at castleberryhillac.com.
Each month our members donate to attend each of these events and we donate the monies to Steamsportinc. Additionally, every holiday season we donate turkeys and hams to seniors at the Vine City senior city ( through Ms Linda Adams), and toys to the kids at the John Hope Center.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say that it has been fairly easy. The Castleberry Hill neighborhood has proven to be a very engaged and involved community. My neighbors are eager to participate in all our events. It truly is a community, a second family. I waited 18 years for them to get here! And now it is arguably the best neighborhood in Atlanta. I’m very proud of what we have done.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My career has been Fine Wine. I got a job in a wine shop to pay my way through college, and never left the industry (except for the raves!)
I was nick named “Young Wynn” in the industry because I was so much younger than my co-workers, clients, and competitors. As a sommelier, I competed against others in their 40’s and 50’s, and I was 23. Now I’m “not so young Wynn”!
I have studied wine tirelessly for decades, and am considered an expert by my peers. I have produced my own wines in Europe and California, become an importer, and owned my own wine distribution company.
I have been the subject of an Atlanta Magazine article in 1995 about my wine classes, and in the AJC about my wines and import company in 2005.
I have a knack for making wine less complicated and intimidating. I have helped many young aspiring sommeliers study for wine accreditations (WSET, Master Sommelier, and Master of Wine). I have been flown to the great vineyards of Europe and California by many importers and wineries just so I can further my knowledge and share it with customers and consumers. I am a lucky man.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Community is one of life’s great joys. Helping others less fortunate by having fun with neighbors is one of my proudest things. When I moved into Castleberry Hill in 1988 I had no idea what a great neighborhood it would become. I am very proud of us.
Pricing:
- We ask for $30 donations for each event throughout the year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Castleberryhillac.com
- Instagram: @castleberryhillac
- Facebook: Castleberry Hill Athletic Club
- Twitter: @CastleberryAc
- Youtube: @chactv1236
