Greg Richtarek is a Wine & Spirits Manager at Safeway Stores, bringing experience in wine retail, winery marketing, and winemaking to his role. His career in wine began after retiring from the high-tech industry, when a shared interest in fine wine with his wife inspired him to pursue a new professional path.

Starting in a winery tasting room, Greg progressed to tasting room manager before taking on responsibilities as a full-time director of marketing and assistant winemaker. This experience across production, promotion, and retail gives him a broad perspective on how wines are made, presented, and selected by consumers. He has also served as a judge at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

As a USA Wine Ratings judge, Greg places particular emphasis on balance, quality, and value for money. He also recognises the importance of clear, readable labels in helping consumers make informed choices. His approach reflects a practical retail perspective: wines should deliver on their promise and offer quality appropriate to their price.