Two brothers, two passions: life and wine
The duo who power Michael James Fine Wine hunt down the world’s greatest wines, researching all regions, vintages, grapes, soil compositions - it's their raison d'être.
Best yet, once the ends of the earth are explored and discoveries happen, they share their finds with you for the best price possible.
Let them fill your glass with impeccable selections and unforgettable taste.
CONTACT
Justin M. Kowalsky - President
e: justin@michaeljamesfinewine.com
Garrett J. Kowalsky - Vice President
e: garrett@michaeljamesfinewine.com
Phone
(914) 909-5003
Location
Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Justin (left) of MJFW with Karine Sérafin (right) of Domaine Christian Sérafin in Burgundy, discussing thermodynamics (among other topics).
Justin Kowalsky
President / Owner
The senior of the Michael James’ sibling duo, Justin Kowalsky spearheaded the acquisition of the family's wine & spirits store at the tender age of 19. As a teenager, Justin would find his way into New York City restaurants such as Le Cirque and the Russian Tea Room to indulge his tastes where New York aficionados shared rare & prized bottles. He attended the University of Tennessee before heading back north to study economics at New York University and pursue everything wine, working in various roles in wholesale, on premise, and in retail, including legendary institutions restaurant Daniel and Burgundy Wine Company. He has traversed the globe for nearly three decades, focusing on all four corners of France and across the Italian "boot" with the goal of putting the perfect bottle of wine in each and every one of his clients’ hands.
California wines and the iconic producers from the 1970’s and ‘80’s were the first bottles that Justin fell in love with, but his ardor eventually led him to the hallowed vineyards of Burgundy where his heart now resides. Outside the cellar, he can be found target and field shooting, or dancing bachata in the kitchen while making breakfast.
Garrett (left) of MJFW with the kind, generous, and talented Andrea Cortonesi (right), winemaker and owner at Uccelliera in Montalcino.
Garrett Kowalsky
Vice President / Owner
From an education in marketing and economics, Garrett Kowalsky brings forth a creative, studious approach to wine – a business he grew up around in New York’s idyllic Hudson Valley. Helping in his family's wine & spirits store for several years, Garrett remained an oenophile while studying at the University of Connecticut. After college, he entered the tech world until ultimately he could not deny his passion and desire, nor the coaxing from his brother, to make the great wines of the world his life's work. After making the move to the wine industry, he spent nearly a decade in Manhattan as a part of the sales team and then executive staff of Italian Wine Merchants, showcasing high-end Italian wines from all regions, hosting hundreds of tasting events, and jetting to the vineyards of Europe as often as possible.
Burgundies and Barolos hold a special place in Garrett’s heart, but he's also come to learn to never turn down a great bottle of Alsace. When he isn't opening something beautiful to drink, he can be found forever humbling himself on the golf course.
Michael James Fine Wine marries personal touch with industry expertise, maximizing your available time and funds to create the perfect experience every time.
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Elodie Michelot explains the finer points of Nuits St. George while tasting deep in the cold cellars of Domaine Alain Michelot (April 2017)
The soil types in Barolo, Italy vary wildly. This display in the office of the late Beppe Rinaldi examines the contrast in the soils of the iconic vineyards that they control. (April 2015)
This ‘59 Musigny from Faiveley was an absolute dream. Shared with a friend and supplier at Restaurant Anima in Tuttlingen, Germany. (April 2017)
Sylvain Langoureau makes superlative whites in St. Aubin (Burgundy). Here he dips his “wine thief” into a barrel to procure something wonderful for us to taste. (April 2017)
The wines and traditional dishes of a region have a symbiotic relationship. That is very apparent in Alsace, one of our favorite stops every year. (April 2017)
Pertimali Livio Sassetti makes some of the finest and most elegant Brunello di Montalcino. Here we see their vines trained, during spring, in the vaunted Montosoli growing district. (April 2015)