Our Buying team truly comprises some of the most knowledgeable, passionate wine and spirits experts in the biz, and we’re happy to bring you a set of their favorites from across our aisles. From years of traveling and extensive experience in the industry, each buyer represents a wealth of knowledge broadly about wine and spirits, but very deeply about their own regions and categories. If you want to shoot the breeze about soils, talk about best vintages to buy, or just learn what’s new and exciting—they are unparalleled resources! Seek them out on our sales floor or shoot them an email via our Staff Profile page.

Ryan Moses, Bordeaux Buyer

Ryan Moses is our Bordeaux Buyer and he leads the team with our biggest category. Bordeaux is what put K&L on the map, and, over the last nearly 50 years, we’ve built relationships with Bordeaux owners, winemakers, and negociants to craft a Bordeaux selection likely deeper than any you’ll find, at least in California. Ryan is whip smart about the Bordeaux market and encyclopedic about the properties. If you want to know what to collect for 20 years or drink tonight, he’s your man!

2022 Canon, St-Emilion (Pre-Arrival) 100 $199.99 View
2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan (Pre-Arrival) 100 $199.99 View
2022 Montrose, St-Estèphe (Pre-Arrival) 100 $224.99 View
2016 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac 97 $99.99 View
2016 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 97 $149.99 View
2016 Calon Ségur, St-Estèphe 100 $174.99 View
2019 d'Yquem, Sauternes (375ml) 98 $189.99 View
2005 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac 98 $189.99 View
2015 La Conseillante, Pomerol 98 $219.99 View
2019 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien 99 $229.99 View
2010 Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac 100 $249.99 View
2016 Léoville-Las Cases, St-Julien 100 $349.99 View
2010 Trotanoy, Pomerol 98 $379.99 View
2000 l'Eglise Clinet, Pomerol 99 $399.99 View
2010 Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan 100 $924.99 View
2010 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac 100 $950.00 View

Ryan Woodhouse, Domestic Wine Buyer

Sometimes it is simply stunning to hear Ryan rattle off soil types, winemaker backgrounds, and historical facts when talking about a given wine. There are very few individuals that absorb as much information and really live as much in the vineyards as in the store. This past year has been a series of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it opportunities, along with some of the region’s great finds and top blue chips. K&L’s selection of domestic wines is simply unrivaled, and Ryan Woodhouse is at the heart of it.

2018 Eden Rift "Estate" Cienega Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $40) (Price: Hidden)
2023 Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay ($21.95)
2018 Neely "Upper Picnic Block - Spring Ridge Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $60) (Price: Hidden)
2010 M-Squared "Monte Rosso Vineyard - Old Vine" Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release) (Previously $75) ($29.95)
2021 Stringer Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $85) (Price: Hidden)
2022 Ken Wright "Shea Vineyard" Yamhil-Carlton Pinot Noir ($64.95)
2019 Arterberry Maresh "Winemaker's Reserve (Maresh Vineyard)" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($79.95)
2020 L'Aventure "Estate Cuvée" Paso Robles Red Blend ($109.95)
2019 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($149.95)
2019 Mayacamas Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($179.95)
2021 Philip Togni "Estate" Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon ($229.00)
2021 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($284.95)

Gary Westby, Champagne Buyer

When we think of a category that over-delivers on a consistent basis, it’s often Champagne that comes to mind first, and at the heart of our Champagne program is Gary Westby. The passion, knowledge, and excitement for the people and wines of Champagne is infectious when you’re around Gary, but the fact is that thanks to his selections, the bottles on our shelves speak for themselves.

Thierry Thibault Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne ($34.99)
2016 Egrot Grand Cru Brut Champagne ($49.99)
Pierre Paillard "Les Parcelles" Grand Cru Extra Brut Bouzy Champagne ($49.99)
2019 Gilbert Jacquesson Vintage Brut Champagne ($49.99)
2019 Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Revelation" Brut Champagne (Previously $80) ($58.99)
2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne ($59.99)
2012 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($199.99)

David Othenin-Girard, Spirits Buyer

There are few folks in the industry who have the depth of appreciation and insight on what is one of the most unique and challenging categories in the industry. The character of the product, the gravity of the collector’s market, the need to have depth in so many different regions, styles, and products—all of this just scratches the surface for spirits. It’s also a great challenge to lead a no-compromise approach to making sure everything on our shelves is genuine and speaks of quality and integrity.

Old Pulteney "Huddart" Ex-Peated AnCnoc Cask Finished Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $60) ($19.99)
2008 Port Dundas 15 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive Refill Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($54.99)
Sutherland Bottled By Thompson Bros. 5 Year Old Limited 2024 Release Blended Highland Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($99.99)
2007 Glengoyne 16 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (700ml) ($109.99)
Scapa 21 year old Orkney Single Malt Whisky (700ml) ($159.99)
2005 Secret Orkney (Highland Park) 19 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive #DRU 17/A63 #28 First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Non Chillfiltered Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($179.99)
Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($199.99)
Kanosuke "Ex-Bourbon Barrel Finished" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel #18120 Japanese Single Malt Whiskey (700ml) ($209.99)

Alex Pross, Burgundy Buyer

While Burgundy is a category defined by elusive collectibles, it is the hard-to-find values that really drive Alex to curate a next-level experience of Burgundy’s cherished terroir. From long-time direct imports to new yearly finds, there are few shops you can walk into looking for Burgundy with pedigree and character, and find it with these kinds of prices. Burgundy always seems to be leveling up, but with a careful eye, these wines allow you to go along for the ride at a reasonable price.

2023 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Solutré ($19.99)
2023 Domaine Trouillet Macon-Solutre "Au Rompay" ($19.99)
2022 Domaine Bart Marsannay Rouge "Les Finottes" ($34.99)
2022 Château de la Charrière Beaune 1er Cru "Clos des Vignes Franches" ($37.99)
2022 Charles Père et Fille Volnay "La Cave" ($39.99)
2022 Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Peuillets" ($44.99)
2022 Château de la Maltroye Santenay Rouge 1er Cru "La Comme" ($69.99)

Orazio Campoli, Italian Wine Buyer

In the past six months, Orazio has taken on an immense challenge at K&L, trying to follow in the footsteps of Greg St. Clair after his retirement. From his inspired picks, to his relentless pursuit of the next great value, to his connections that have given us access to some of the best old and rare selections in the country, it has been incredible to see Orazio thrive. Check out his recommendations on the site and make sure to spend some time exploring our Italian section—these are wines that bring the joy and diversity of Italy to the center stage.

2021 La Pergola Monferrato Rosso ($12.99)
2023 Paltrinieri "Piria" Lambrusco di Sorbara (Elsewhere $20) ($15.99)
2018 Planeta Burdese Sicilia Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $40) ($19.99)
2020 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($19.99)
2021 Ada Nada “Valeirano” Barbaresco ($34.99)
2019 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino ($39.99)
2019 Gian Luca Colombo Barolo (Elsewhere $85) ($64.99)
2019 Paolo Bea "Pagliaro" Sagrantino di Montefalco ($109.99)
2020 Brovia "Villero" Barolo ($134.99)
2021 Antinori "Tignanello" Toscana ($174.99)

Keith Mabry, Rhône and French Regional Buyer

Perhaps one of the most well-known names in the Southern California wine scene, Keith brings an encyclopedic knowledge and years of boots-on-the-ground experience to his categories, and is always pursuing the next story and discovery. Whether it’s the groundbreaking aged Châteauneuf of Xavier Vignon or a Sancerre that could brighten up anybody’s day, the range of his selections is stunning, but each one has a story to tell. He’s also a champion of smaller categories, and is a great go-to for off-the-beaten-path wines. For an authentic expression and some of the great values in our store, Keith has built a section with one winner after another.

2022 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rouge ($17.99)
2023 Cherrier Frères Sancerre ($19.99)
2019 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac ($24.99)
2020 Domaine Benedetti Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($29.99)
2021 Moulin de la Gardette "Tradition" Gigondas ($29.99)
2021 Alpha Estate "Hedgehog Vineyard" Xinomavro Amyndeon Greece ( $22.99)
2019 Château Gigognan "Clos du Roi" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($34.99)
1991 Xavier Vignon "1991" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($119.99)

Thomas Smith, Commonwealth & Club Buyer

Thomas’s genuine enthusiasm is infectious—spend a bit of time talking Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc and you’ll start believing that New Zealand and Australia are the center of the winemaking globe. I do believe that there is a world-class caliber to these wines and they keep surprising me time and time again when I get to taste them. Whether it’s an unbelievable allocation of Bell Hill, must-try discoveries like Swinney, or the simply irresistible TWR and Oakridge, the care and attention is evident in all of Thomas’ wines.

2023 Oakridge "Yarra Valley" Chardonnay Yarra Valley Victoria ( $19.99)
2023 Xanadu "Estate" Chardonnay Margaret River Western Australia ($24.99)
2023 Swinney Mourvedre Rosé Frankland River ($39.99)
2023 TWR (Te Whare Ra) Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($19.99)
2023 Matt Connell "Rendition" Pinot Noir Central Otago ($29.99)
2020 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough ($64.99)
2022 Felton Road "Cornish Point" Pinot Noir Central Otago ($64.99)
2019 Bell Hill Pinot Noir North Canterbury ($119.99)

Kirk Walker, Spain and South America Buyer

Kirk has a deep appreciation for wines of all different styles, really tapping into the place, geography, history, and people who craft some of his category’s finest wines. A storyteller and one of the seasoned veterans at K&L, his selections are always well thought out, every bottle deeply considered and dynamic. All it takes is a tasting with Kirk to get inspired and find something that you weren’t quite thinking about, but perhaps can’t live without after trying it.