James Ransford ’77
Vintages Vary Owner of CT Beverage Mart monitors annual California grape harvest hen it comes to wine, James Ransford ’77 knows his grapes. He’ll tell you that 2007 and 2009 were stellar years for California cabernets. He’s worried lately because poor weather the past few years has affected the quality and supply of grapes. As co-owner of CT Beverage Mart, Ransford stays current on all varieties of wine, although he admits to favoring the California wines. His favorite is the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet, which sells for $125 a bottle. He had planned to go into his family’s restaurant business, but while visiting relatives in California the summer following his junior year of college, he fell in love with the San Francisco area, especially the vineyards and the wine shops in Napa Valley. “In hindsight, that is the best thing to ever happen to me,” he said. Originally from upstate New York, Ransford earned a bachelor’s degree in health services administration, then worked briefly as a bartender before opening a package store in New Britain in 1980. The store—a 10,800-square-foot facility—was the largest package store in the state at that time. The industry was on the brink of change, Ransford knew, and he was planning ahead. Recycling was just getting started in Connecticut. And pricing, previously fixed, was becoming more flexible. Ransford needed the space to carry larger inventories. Between 1980 and 1996, three more stores followed—in Middletown, Newing-
ton and Wallingford. Getting his business off the ground took patience and hard work. He also attributes his success to the support of his wife, Kathie, a registered nurse. The two married in 1983. They have four boys: Derrick, 27; Brendan, 26; Ryan, 24; and Carson, 22. Wine makes up the largest percentage of sales, followed by beer and liquor. “Riesling is really growing in popularity, but the largest growing group is Malbec, an Argentinian wine, which is moderately
priced and has a full flavor,” Ransford said. “Each year presents us with the anticipation of a great vintage or an inferior one, which will yield different wines and excitement or disappointment,” he said. When the New England weather turns warm, Ransford cuts back on his work hours and golfs at least twice a week. A two handicap, he was the 2012 senior alumni champion at the 49th annual Quinnipiac Alumni Championship. —Donna Pintek
40 | QUINNIPIAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2013
James Ransford ’77 knows his wines.
Mark Stanczak
W