Brian Storrs
Founder and President of Pump Over Inc.
Brian's career in the wine industry spans 30-plus years and incorporates all levels of production, sales, marketing, and management. A hands-on leader, Storrs has successfully combined professional experience with vision, strategy, and execution to create Pump Over Inc., a long-overdue solution to the current challenges facing wine, beer and spirits businesses.
Brian launched his career in the cellar at Meridian Vineyards in 1988 as an assistant to California winemaking pioneer Chuck Ortman. He has never forgotten the attention it takes to make great wine from grape to glass and attributes much of his success to the early lessons learned from Ortman.
An ambitious learner and leader, Storrs applied his production knowledge to winery sales, marketing, and management over the next two decades. National sales positions with Beringer Vineyards, Robert Mondavi Winery, Brown Forman, and Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards honed his skills working with distributor networks in all 50 states, developing company-wide goals, sales strategies, and mechanisms for accountability.
From 2004 – 2007, Brian served as General Manager for then start-up Paso Robles winery Niner Wine Estates, an ambitious project that included winery and restaurant design and construction, vineyard development, staff recruitment, systems setup, and community relations.
Since 2008, Storrs has served as President of Slainte Wines, Inc., sourcing domestic and imported wines exclusively for the airline, cruise line, and duty-free channels while pursuing his lifelong dream of establishing Pump Over Inc.
Over 32 years, Storrs' energetic and inspiring leadership style has contributed greatly to his success in motivating and directing teams, while managing costs and optimizing profitability. These are skills that form the foundation of Pump Over Inc today. He prides himself on his long-lasting relationships in all avenues of the wine industry and brings them to the table in this unique consulting venture.
Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business Management/Wine Marketing from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and remains an active alumnus serving on the executive council board of the Wine and Viticulture program.