Meet the team behind your favorite neighborhood wine shop!

Susan Metz – Owner

An owner of JCWC, Susan is a face you’ll spot at the shop most days. Susan works very closely with the staff of the shop, meeting with vendors, ordering wine and handling all events for the shop. In her spare time Susan enjoys running, cooking and traveling with her husband Yale. Susan LOVES being a Grandma to her two amazing grandsons who call her Safta.

Favorite wine: Anything sparkling! “I love all wines. Everyday I am tasting so many fabulous wines and learning more and more each day. I believe you can drink a sparkling with any food, any time of the day.”

Yale Metz – Owner

Yale is an owner of JCWC with his wife and best friend Susan. Yale enjoys running, reading and cooking, especially if he is spending time with family: 2 married kids (so 4 kids!) and two fantastic grandsons. An avid traveler, Yale has been to Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico and many different states in the US.

Favorite wine: Who can choose?! “It depends on what I am eating and the mood I am in. I love trying new wines, new grapes, new vintages, etc. I just love wine!”

Kim Kunchick – Wine Specialist

Kim is the newest member of the team. She brings a great passion for wine plus eight years in the wine industry. She can get super “corky dorky” with you but loves making wine real, fun and an everyday experience. Day drinking is a given. She has many wine certificates, with WSET 3 and CSW being her biggest achievements to date. She can pair wine with pretty much everything; think Thin Mints and Cabernet. Her free time is spent with her hubby and teenage daughter plus two adorable Boston Terriers. Her hobbies, aside from wine, include cooking, jogging, tennis and reading.

Favorite wine: Favorite wine: Italian Reds….no wait French Rhone Blends…..actually Bubbles….oh shoot ALL of them!

Raychel Robbins – Wine Specialist

As a passionate wine enthusiast, Raychel is thrilled to be part of the team at Johns Creek Wine & Crystal. Raychel is an avid traveller and often on the go, but she makes sure to visit Napa Valley and the surrounding areas at least once a year, always eager to learn more and discover new vintages. With a knack for helping newcomers explore the world of wine, Raychel enjoys guiding customers to find their perfect bottle and is excited to share her knowledge and love for wine with the community.

Favorite wine: Raychel’s favorite wines are big, bold, California cabs, but she also loves a grenache (and especially a rosè of grenache in the summer!) or a fun GSM blend.
 

Nance Donaldson – Wine Specialist

Nance has worked part-time in the wine industry for over 14 years. She has collected numerous wine certifications along the way, CSW, WSET III, and Spanish Wine Scholar. Her passion is educating and entertaining wine lovers with her fun and creative style as the SommelY’all™ – a distinctly Southern sommelier. She enjoys hiking in the North Georgia mountains and wine country travel. As a foodie, she practices the fine art of food and wine pairing at home with her husband Ed.

Favorite wine: “The crisp and zesty New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or the savory oak aged Tempranillo from Rioja.”

Mac – Shop Dog

Mac is the adorable Golden Retriever “child” of Susan and Yale Metz. Mac spends most of his days at the wine shop and loves greeting customers and taking naps by the front door.

Favorite wine: Not a big fan of wine, but Mac loves to steal the labels off the shelves after his mom puts them out!