OUR TEAM

Kim Sear’s interest in the wine industry began from several years working in restaurants during and after college. She soon realized that selling wine to enhance a guest’s dining experience was the most enjoyable part of the job! Kim decided to take this realization and run with it.

In order to get a foot in the door and learn the wine business from the ground up, she took an entry-level position at Jim Staton Distributing doing creative work designing wine lists and marketing materials. Kim was soon promoted to an On-Premise Sales Representative and then to On-Premise Manager. After Jim Staton Distributing was purchased by Mutual Distributing Company in 2000, she quickly moved on to become Mutual’s first On-Premise Statewide Sales Manager. During this time she also started managing brands for Mutual while being the liaison for the on-premise sales teams in the different branch operations around the state. Creating marketing strategies and promoting on-premise wine sales became a passion instead of a job.

Kim continued to gain experience in various managerial positions within Mutual Distributing Company. With her continued progression and passion for sales and distribution in the wine industry, she became a part of the design team that developed the concept for Epiphany Wine Company. She is now responsible for building and managing the sales team and the wineries Epiphany represents.

Her relationships with wineries, customers and sales teams are the foundation to her longevity in this industry. With over 24 years experience in the distribution side, Kim considers herself fortunate to have worked with some very influential people throughout the wine business that have impacted where it is today. Those relationships and partnerships continue to flourish today in Epiphany Wine Company.

While not working, Kim enjoys travel, weekend trips to the beach, cooking and entertaining and just spending time with family, friends and her dog, Lulu.

Paul DiMario is an Advanced Level Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. His 20 years of experience in the wine industry, through both restaurants and distribution, has taken him from North Carolina to the mountains of Colorado and back. He has traveled extensively through wine regions, both domestically and abroad. Paul’s enthusiasm for the wine industry continues to compel him to the next level and receive the highest distinction available in wine, Master Sommelier. He is currently studying for the exam.

Before returning to North Carolina and joining Epiphany Wine Company, he lived in Vail, Colorado where he developed beverage programs in some of the area’s top restaurants, such as Latour Restaurant. His wine strength is Old World wine, especially Burgundy. He takes pride in understanding the needs of his customers and this has encouraged him to mentor young sommeliers to help strengthen the wine community. Paul’s dedication to the beverage industry has lead him to be trusted with leading the sales team for Epiphany as the “Crusader of the Wine Geeks”.

When not working and studying for the Masters Sommelier exam, Paul enjoys time spent with his wife Stacey and their two dogs, Trip and Braxton. He loves the outdoors and is an avid skier, hiker and during the warmer months Paul & Stacy spend much of their free time boating at the lake.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Lindsay graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She began her wine career in 2007 at Mutual Distributing Company as a Chain Account Representative in the DSD Department. From there, she was promoted to Executive Marketing Assistant and then Assistant to the President. When presented with the opportunity to join the Epiphany team, Lindsay accepted the challenge with enthusiasm.

Lindsay handles all alcohol compliance for Mutual Distributing Company and Epiphany Wine Company. She manages the office and ensures that daily operations run smoothly.

Lindsay is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and a Cicerone® Certified Beer Server.

In her spare time, you may find Lindsay building Lego sets or playing video games with her son, Owen. She enjoys reading, watching movies and drinking wine, of course.

Dominic began his wine journey working in restaurants while attending North Carolina State University. In 2017 he became the curator of the Wine Spectator awarded wine list at Rue Cler Restaurant in Durham and used this as a launching point into earning his Certified Level Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. With his eyes set on the Advanced Level Sommelier, the pandemic changed his career path. In 2020, after ten plus years in restaurants and the birth of his twin girls, Dominic decided to make the jump into On Premise Sales. Using his years of knowledge in restaurants and passion for wine events, he joined Epiphany in March of 2022 in the hopes of sharing this knowledge and passion with a wide range of people.

When Dominic and his wife, Michelle, get time free from their three kids (identical twin girls Josephine and Juliette, and son Peter) they enjoy having wine paired dinners at home, to entertain family and friends.

Dan was born in Canada and moved multiple times throughout the Western US. He ultimately landed in beautiful Sonoma County, where he was immersed in the Northern California wine scene for over 30 years. Dan’s career spans two decades in the restaurant industry, followed by a sales role in Santa Rosa with one of the country’s top wine distributors – Young’s Market Company.
Once you get to know Dan, you will soon learn about his love for Russian River Valley Pinots. Excited for the opportunity to join Epiphany Wine in January 2022, Dan uniquely combines his passion for wine along with expertise in the restaurant business to deliver authenticity to On-Premise Epiphany Wine sales.

Dan was nicknamed the “Wine Cowboy“ by his friend and former colleague in California – Moody Keliihoomalu.

Dan lives on Lake Wylie in Charlotte with his girlfriend and is an enthusiastic sports fan, who loves the Denver Broncos, grilling, kayaking, boating, and playtime with their rescue dogs, Buddy & Maggie.

Natalie grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State (Go Mountaineers!) with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.  Always having a passion for wine and studying during her time of being a business partner at her family's small bagel shop, Natalie found opportunities within the industry. Starting at country clubs and wine shops, it led her to an On-Premise position with Johnson Brothers – Mutual in 2018 where Natalie received her Wine and Spirts Trust Level 2.  She graduated from the title of Bagel Girl to the Wine Lady and now The Cuvee Connoisseur.  The restaurant industry taught her everything she knows about working with people, building community ties, and that there is no such thing as a small account.

Natalie is an early riser by nature; every morning she is doing something active: running, pickleball, or spin class.  When the day is done, she enjoys a glass of bubbly while cooking with a movie playing in the background.

Michael’s passion for wine began at a young age making wine with his family in New Jersey. Growing up in an Italian American family, good food and wine were always essential. Michael moved to Greensboro in grade school where he lived until he graduated with a BS in Health and Human Performance from UNC-Greensboro.

After graduating, Michael decided to pursue a career in wine and moved back to New Jersey. His path began in wine retail which led to a position as cellar manager at Babbo in NYC.  Michael worked his way out of the cellar and onto the restaurant floor as a sommelier. He continued working as a sommelier at Babbo, Esca, Del Posto and Restaurant Marc Forgione.  During this time, he was able to travel to Italy and experience harvest time in Barolo among other places.

Michael’s wine journey led him to the distribution side and back to NC where he met his wife, Traci.  They live in Raleigh together with their dogs, where they both enjoy playing golf, cooking and drinking wine!