Founder and CEO, City Winery

When Michael Dorf finds a new passion, he does more than enjoy it. He builds a business around it. His enjoyment of music led him to create the Knitting Factory in 1986, which went on to become New York's preeminent venue for independent music. His own spiritual journey moved him to create Tribeca Hebrew in 2004, a philanthropic after-school program that invites children to explore their connections with history and develop their Jewish identity. Now, in 2008, Michael's passion for wine has inspired him to create City Winery, Manhattan's first fully operational winery complete with two wine bars, a cheese bar, restaurant and a performance venue.

The unifying thread that connects all Michael's interests is the one that really defines him: a desire to bring people together in fun, cultural and interesting settings.

A born entrepreneur, the 40-something Michael started a profitable flea market business in his hometown of Milwaukee, WI, when he was just 14. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO, where he studied psychology and business -- a fitting combination to prepare him for his future. As early as college, Michael found himself working in the music business, first as a concert promoter and later as the manager for the Midwestern band, Swamp Thing.

Michael always felt beckoned by New York and shortly after arriving in 1986 at the age of 24, he cashed in his bar mitzvah and graduation gifts to open the Knitting Factory in the East Village, which became an instant success, drawing progressive crowds and booking then-little-known bands that have gone on to become icons in the music industry - including Beck, Sonic Youth and the Pixies. In 1994, the Knitting Factory's success led it to take on two new addresses: one in Tribeca as its new NYC home, and one in Amsterdam. Shortly after, Michael launched his holding company, KnitMedia, which blended his developing interest in technology with his existing passion for music and artistic expression.

By the turn of the 21st century, Michael had built KnitMedia and the Knitting Factory into international phenomena - with a second U.S. Knitting Factory location in Los Angeles as well as media expansion into Asia, plus a division of branded festivals and tours. These accomplishments earned him the attention of New York magazine, which named him one of the "10 Most Influential New Yorkers" and The New York Times, which heralded him as "one of New York's most important music impresarios"- a role he maintains to this day with his company Michael Dorf Presents, which promotes hundreds of concerts, including the Music Downtown Series, the Music of Series at Carnegie Hall, as well as several philanthropic and private corporate events.

In 2002, Michael left the Knitting Factory and subsequently sold his equity position and resigned from the Board. But the cumulative Knitting Factory experience had already ignited his newest passion: wine. Traveling throughout Europe, Michael discovered the joys of savoring and sharing wine - a budding interest that was further catalyzed when his brother offered him the opportunity to make wine himself. Michael recalls the first time he "accidentally" bought a ton of Napa Valley grapes on his brother's urging and made his first barrel with the help of David Tate, assistant winemaker at Ridge Winery. The experience awakened a new obsession and inspired the idea for City Winery.

To Michael, the 21,000-square-foot City Winery is more than a place to make or enjoy wine. It is a place to experience quintessential New York culture against a unique backdrop. Whether participating in the winemaking process - for which Michael has painstakingly seen to every detail, from the extra measures to maintain the integrity of the fruit as its transported from the country's finest vineyards, to the single room devoted to cleaning the Riedel wine glasses - or stopping in after work to indulge in some cheese and a favorite vintage, or fulfilling a lifelong dream to see your favorite musician perform in an intimate setting, City Winery realizes Michael's passions as he forever strives to bring people together to realize their own.

michaeldorf.com
email: michael@citywinery.com