Our Team
Jean Jacote
Principal
Jean Jacote brings 24 years of experience in wine PR and marketing, both in-house and on the agency side. Jean started her career in wine as Director of Public Relations at Domaine Chandon and continued on as Director of Marketing and Public Relations at The Hess Collection for their U.S. brands as well as their import portfolio of wines from South America, Italy, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Spain. A stint in tech PR at a Silicon Valley PR agency followed, along with working at a wine PR agency. Prior to entering the wine business, Jean was the Executive Director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco for 11 years where she performed public relations functions for top figures in the political, culinary and wine arenas. Jean is a graduate of UC Berkeley.
Michael Cervin
Chief Writer, Wine Expert, Account Manager
Michael Cervin Chief Writer, Wine Expert, Account Manager Michael Cervin is the author of nine books including California Wine Country. He is the Wine Reviews Editor for Bonfort’s Wine & Spirits Journal and Drink Me Magazine and Contributing Editor for The Tasting Panel Magazine and The Somm Journal. He writes a monthly wine column for IntoWine.com, a “Cocktail of the Month” column for Arroyo Monthly Magazine and is a contributing reviewer for The Whiskey Reviewer. His wine and spirits articles have appeared in Robb Report, Forbes Travel Guides, The Hollywood Reporter, Decanter (London), Fine Wine & Liquor (China), Old Liquors Magazine (Netherlands), Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Draft, Food & Beverage World, among others. Michael has served as a judge at various wine and spirits competitions including the Best of Vinho Verde Awards in Portugal, the Taste of Rum Festival in Puerto Rico, the California State Fair Wine Competition, Critics Challenge, The San Diego, San Francisco International Wine Competition and the El Dorado County Fair Wine Competition. He has also been a water judge for the Global Bottled Water Awards and the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting. When not writing, reviewing or judging, Michael is the wine buyer for the Santa Barbara Airport.
Waffle
Chief Pug
Big Bang Wine’s mascot Waffle brings extreme cuteness, stellar walking, jumping, high-level ability to catch treats in her mouth and creative barking to the table. She inspires us, amuses us and makes us happy. Her favorite recording artist is Joni Mitchell.