Artiste Partners

Who We Are,... And Why Healdsburg?
By John Poulos, Partner
December 10, 2007

Bion Rice, Winemaker and Managing Partner
Bion’s career in the wine industry started with the winery founded by his parents, Sunstone Vineyards and Winery in Santa Ynez Valley in Northern Santa Barbara County.  Starting in the early 90’s, he rose to the role of President, participating in every aspect of the operation, from the sciences of viticulture and enology to marketing, distribution, finance and administration. Under his leadership, Sunstone surpassed a production level of 18,000 cases per year in 2001 and has since grown to prominence as one of the premier boutique wineries in the region.  Sunstone also continues to maintain the lead in organic viticulture, as one of only two and by far the largest C.C.O.F. certified organic vineyards in the region.
 
Bion founded Artiste in 2002 with a vision of becoming one of the finest “cuvee” wine producers.  His travels in California wine country often led him to Sonoma county in his frequent visits to his wife’s family in San Rafael.   Early-on he recognized the importance of the region around Healdsburg as the intersection of several important wine regions and an area with a fresh appreciation and high standards for innovative world-class wines.
 
 
John Poulos, Partner & Business Consultant
Originally a native of Santa Cruz, John remembers fondly spending summers visiting childhood friends in Healdsburg, spending time canoeing on the Russian River and riding mini-bikes on dusty trails that later became leading vineyards.  Early in his career in the biopharmaceutical industry he would visit the area to ride bicycles, drink wine and ultimately jump into that river he enjoyed in his youth. A partner in Sunstone Winery, he has been a partner in Artiste since its inception to which he brings his passion in wine, food and impressionistic art.
 
 
Tom O’Higgins, Partner & Marketing Consultant
A former Sonoma county resident, Born and raised in Northern California born Tom has been partner and consultant to several wineries in both Sonoma and Napa wine regions. As one of the executives in the early beginnings of Williams-Sonoma, he was involved in its rapid growth and expansion from four stores to nearly two hundred and fifty in less than two decades with sales increasing from 4 million to nearly a billion dollars.  One of Tom’s many world travels was traveler was a stint living in France including an internship in Bordeaux and Epernay.  He returns to the Healdsburg area with Artiste and a breadth of experience and tastes from around the world. 
 
 
Matt Hahn, Partner & Creative Director
Matt’s expertise in fine art and his over twenty years of graphic design experience has enabled him to bring to Artiste the essence of the expressionistic art movement synthesized with the world of wine.  In his travels in Sonoma County and Healdsburg he was struck by vibrant and fresh approach taken to art and design and regards the area as an important confluence of artistic influences and expressions.  Matt remarks that the region's beauty provides an open canvas of natural landscapes and spirited life that any artist would want to paint, especially impressionist artists.
 

Want More Information?
Please contact us at Artiste.  We’d like to hear about your impressions and would enjoy meeting you.  Let’s discuss wine, art, food and the good life, preferably over a glass of wine.