The Fine Wine Source

Years ago, when I was President of Darioush Winery in Napa, I took a business trip to visit our distributor in Michigan. These trips were usually routine, and with my heavy travel schedule—plus the winery under construction back in Napa—I hadn’t planned on spending time in the market.

As I wrapped up my meetings, the General Manager casually suggested visiting a local wine store. I hesitated, mentioning my tight schedule. “Well,” he said, “you’re so close—it might be worth your while.”

That was enough to convince me. I jumped in my rental car, punched in the address—The Fine Wine Source, Livonia—and thought, Alright, I can do this.

Twenty-five minutes later, I pulled into a modest strip mall. This can’t be right, I thought, glancing at my phone. No big glass windows, no grand entrance—just a simple sign above the lot. But this was it.

Stepping inside, I instantly felt my breath catch. It was like Indiana Jones discovering the Lost Ark. “Holy moly.”

Stacks of wooden cases filled with Krug Champagne, Lafite, Mouton Rothschild, Tignanello—row after row of legendary bottles. I had arrived at the Holy Grail of wine shops.

As I made my way toward the desk, I introduced myself to the man sitting behind it. In a warm, welcoming voice, he replied, “Hi, I’m Jim Lutfy, owner of the store.”

Decades later, with countless stories between us, Jim and I are still great friends. So when he heard I was launching a high-end extra virgin olive oil, he didn’t hesitate: “I’d love to support your efforts—I have many clients who love great olive oil.”

Today, I’m proud to say that The Fine Wine Source is one of the few select stores in the country that carries and promotes The Virgin Organic Certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

To this day, The Fine Wine Source remains one of America’s greatest wine shops.

Thank you, Jim!

Bernard C. La Borie
Founder, TVO

(This is the tag Jim proudly places on every bottle of The Virgin Organic.)