“Moments matter and wine enhances them.”

Good-natured and gregarious, Brent Wagener is rooted in Ohio and has that down-to-earth quality we might call Midwestern terroir. His knowledge of wine is deep and sophisticated, but his approach is enthusiastic and fun. He likes to tell the story of wine and of specific wines - and when Brent tells a story, it sparkles like freshly poured champagne rising to the top of the glass.

Brent was born and raised in Perrysburg, Ohio, and entered the world of wine through the Heidelberg Distributing Co. He began working in sales as a young adult and spent 35 years with the company, eventually becoming vice president of wine for Heidelberg Vineyards, the company’s Bordeaux importer. He also ran the Heidelberg subsidiary Wine Trends and spent a number of years as the company’s representative to the Robert Mondavi Distributor Council.

Brent, who moved to Dayton in 1994, has lived his whole life in Ohio but has traveled extensively through the wine-making regions of the world. He has taken many trips to France - he has a special fondness for wines from Bordeaux - and has spent time with German winemaker, Erni Loosen.

Along the way, Brent also met and befriended legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi - a man he considers his mentor. Mondavi taught Brent not just about wine, but, by example, how to live and to share.

Outside of work, Brent has been active in his community, both in northwest and southwest Ohio. His involvements include Toledo Metroparks, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Social Services, Ronald McDonald House, the Humane Society, and the United Rehabilitation Services Rubber Duck Regatta.

He has been part of the Cincinnati International Wine Festival since its inception in 1991 and, in 2019, was honorary chair of the Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament, which supports the festival’s charitable efforts.

Brent has retired from Heidelberg, but not from wine. His latest venture, Wines with Wagener, reflects an ongoing passion for wine and for sharing what he has learned - and continues to learn. Working with private clients, restaurants, and the public, Brent offers tastings, education, staff training, cellar management, wine-buying assistance and concierge services for wine-related travel. Whether Brent is working with an experienced collector or a wine novice, his goal is the same: To help them better understand how they interact with wine; to help them discover their own pallet.