Stefan Blicker can thank the state of Alaska for getting him into wine.
“I was tending bar at the Crow’s Nest (in Anchorage, Alaska) and the sommelier quit,” recalled Blicker.
“I volunteered and the maître d’ took me under his wing. That first night I was decanting a 3 liter of 1970 Mouton Rothschild tableside,” complete with candle, apron and tastevin tasting cup.
“I was totally hooked,” he said. “From there I went on to retail and ... then into the online side of things in 2000.”
Today Blicker is the co-owner, Last Bottle Wines/First Bottle/Invino.com of Napa.
1. What job would you like to try/not try?
Try: Drummer for The Police or professional bodysurfer (if that exists!), DJ, Thai food chef ... too many to list!
Not try: Anything involving enormous bugs.
2. What was your first job?
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Snack bar, Sacramento Zoo. For a 15-year-old, it was heaven.
3. What’s the worst job you ever had?
Shaping Christmas trees. Because … bugs. Black widows, actually, make homes between the trees. But at least I got to swing a machete.
4. What is the biggest challenge your industry has faced?
Recently? Tariffs. Ongoing: diversity, regulatory challenges, economic swings.
5. What’s on your to-do list?
Post-Covid? A warm beach, ASAP. Then a lot of hiking in Europe and making up family/friends time. We have an old ’66 Volvo and I’d like to learn how to repair it … finish the 6 books I have going…live music…
6. Who do you most admire in the business world?
I’d have to say my early mentors in wine, Chip and Van, in Anchorage, because they perfectly embody the idea that you can be financially successful doing something you truly love, in a wicked-fun business that makes people happy.
7. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?
Starting a non-profit or being part of one that does good things meaningful to me and others, and drinking a perfect bottle of 1941 Inglenook, is a good start.
8. If you could change one thing about your business/industry, what would it be?
I’d make it as easy to buy wine online as ordering a book.
9. What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I worked in a car parts factory in Dachau, Germany, when I was 18. I molded and cut dashboards, stamped out speaker holes, etc. for BMWs and VWs in a huge factory with mostly Turks.
10. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
50/50 hiking in the Dolomites or on DT Fleming Beach in Maui with my wife Joanne.
WATCH NOW: HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE COVID VACCINATIONS BEGIN
As vaccinations get underway, the World Health Organization's technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove, makes an impassioned appeal for people to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID-19 in 2021.
PHOTOS: CHECK OUT THESE NEW RETAIL STORES NOW OPEN IN DOWNTOWN NAPA
Photos: Check out these new retail stores now open in downtown Napa
Jeffries General at 1416 Second St.
Pat Jeffries and his wife Chrissy own Jeffries General.
Inside The Perfect Provenance, a new retailer in First Street Napa.
Inside The Perfect Provenance, a new retailer in First Street Napa.
C’est La Paire now open in Napa
Deborah Indelicato gives a tour of C’est La Paire at First Street Napa.
Riza Plants
The glorious selection of tropical houseplants at Riza Plants in Napa.
I-ELLE
I-ELLE is located inside the First Street Napa complex across from Napa Valley Jewelers.
The Bennington Napa Valley
Susan Melendez in her new First Street Napa store, The Bennington Napa Valley.
Copperfield's moves downtown
Copperfield’s Books has relocated from Bel Aire Plaza to First Street Napa or 1300 First St. The new store is located across the street from the Andaz Napa hotel (seen to the left).
Shoppe Twelve and Shoppe Twelve Girl
Napa's Riverfront complex includes sister boutiques Shoppe Twelve and Shoppe Twelve Girl.
Lululemon Opens
Lorraine Shepley, visiting from Boston, shops at the recently opened lululemon store at First Street Napa.
Lusine and Arthur Hartunian of Napastak
Lavender honey from Napastak on First Street in downtown Napa, owned by Lusine and Arthur Hartunian.
Welcome center
Suzi Hubbard with Visit Napa Valley helps a caller at the new Napa Valley Welcome Center. Its now located within the First Street Napa complex.
Milo and Friends
Milo and Friends Pet Boutique opened at First Street Napa on Sat., June 6. The 868 square-foot store is located at Suite 317, across from Compline.
Habituate at First Street Napa
Shackford describes Habituate as a “carefully curated brand of house wares and clothing that style your life."
Cupcake
Cupcake recently opened with a number of other new stores inside First Street Napa.
Honey Whiskey Boutique
Alexis Macias poses in front of her Napa business, Honey Whiskey Boutique. It's located inside the First Street Napa complex.
Honey Whiskey Boutique
Alexis Macias (left) and her mother Tara Macias, pose at the opening of Honey Whiskey Boutique. The shop is located inside First Street Napa.
Tay & Grace
Tay & Grace, formerly of Yountville, is now located at First Street Napa. The boutique's owner is Napa native Kristin Ruffino.
Last Bottle Wines/First Bottle/Invino.com is located at 607 Airpark Road in Napa. Blicker can be reached at 707-287-1368.
In this Series
Napa Valley Wine Insider Digest: Feb. 20, 2021
Jennifer Huffman
Business Editor
Jennifer Huffman is the business editor and a general assignment reporter for the Napa Valley Register. I cover a wide variety of topics for the newspaper. I've been with the Register since 2005.
