A 32-year veteran of the wine and hospitality industry, George Staikos is known for his role as an educator, sharing his passion for wine appreciation.

Founder and President of The Educated Grape, a company specialising in interactive education programmes for wine enthusiasts and sales and marketing consulting for small, family-owned luxury wineries.

A Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s International School of Hospitality Management, George teaches the “Introduction to the Study of Wine” course.

George graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. He is married with three children, has a granddaughter and resides in Erwinna, Pennsylvania, an hour outside of Philadelphia.

He has held national sales positions for Napa and Sonoma wineries including Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Quintessa and Ramey Wine Cellars. His national hospitality experience encompassed food and beverage positions such as Sommelier and Food and Beverage Director. Ranging from California, Miami, Washington DC, and New York, operating three AAA Five Diamond rated hotels for industry leaders such as Four Seasons and Hilton.

An active member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs since 2003, George has served as Vice-Échanson, Échanson Provincial of Mid-Atlantic and Bailli of the Bailliage of Garden State in New Jersey. He has now been promoted to “Grand Échanson des États-Unis” - given his prominent track record in the wine and hospitality industries he was an obvious choice to fulfil the role.

Bertrand de Boutray
Bailli Délégué