ABOUT US

Michael & Jackie Pearce

We love quality time around the table, enjoying great food and good wine!

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Michael was born into a 7,000 acre hill country farming family in New Zealand that taught him the value of hard work and appreciation for the fruits of labor from the land. These values transferred into a deep passion for the vineyard along with a vision to succeed in business and all that he embarks upon.

His hospitality career launched itself 15 years ago in his hometown of Wanganui, New Zealand. Michael opened his first restaurant with his business partner of the same name, cleverly entitled, “Michaels’”.

With a desire to see the world, Michael left New Zealand to explore Europe and develop his appreciation for gastronomy and oenology in its roots. He joined one of the world’s top luxury cruise lines, Seabourn Cruise Line. There he spent 6 years serving as Senior Sommelier and then Bar & Public Rooms Manager. Through Seabourn, Michael discovered unique wines, experienced first-class food and executed superior hospitality standards. He even met his wife, Jackie, onboard during what would be one of his last contracts at sea before relocating back home to New Zealand.

Jackie, born in Northern Virginia, but raised in the sunshine state of Florida, grew up drinking some of the world’s finest wines, yet knew very little about them until she met Michael. With a love for politics, Jackie worked for state political parties, served as a press secretary on Capital Hill and as a Communications Director for a state-wide US Senate campaign.

Settling back into New Zealand, Michael joined the team at Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay where they assisted in the launching one of, “New Zealand’s most ambitious wineries ever”, as described by Jancis Robinson. It was at Craggy Range where Michael had the privilege of reporting to what Decanter Magazine describes as one of the 50 most influential people in the world of wine, Steve Smith, MW. He was also was fortunate enough to cross-train in the winery with a hands-on experience guided by wine maker, Doug Wisor (1973-2004), a young American who hand-crafted one of the highest rated red wines by Robert Parker to come out of New Zealand.

Family illness brought Michael and Jackie back to the US where they would temporarily settle in Sonoma, CA. Michael worked in Napa Valley at one of the oldest wineries, Niebaum-Coppola Winery (currently Rubicon Estate) owned by five-time Oscar winning film director, writer and producer Francis Ford-Coppola.

At Niebaum-Coppola Michael was able to put the training programs he designed at Seabourn into use serving as their Wine Educator. Jackie worked in the California wine industry with Benchmark Consulting, an executive recruiting firm for the wine growing community.

Inspired by their experiences in New Zealand, Sonoma and Napa, Michael and Jackie opened The Wine House in Fairfax, VA in 2008. After 10-years operating The Wine House, finally the opportunity to expand and develop Vino Bistro became available in Leesburg!

They are proud parents to 4 children that Jackie happily homeschools while Micheal brings home the bacon (and wine…)! The Wine House and Vino Bistro are proud to be SBA funded small, family-owned businesses of America!

Dinah Herring

General Manager

Dinah was attending Virginia Tech when her love affair with wine began. As a student, she worked for the Hotel & Tourism Department at VT and as a banquet manager for The Inn at Virginia Tech. It was in those positions that she was introduced to the world of wine through event tastings and seasonal selections. 

In 2008, as a recent college graduate, Dinah walked into a quaint little wine bar bistro known as The Wine House where she met the owner, Michael Pearce. To say the rest is history would be an understatement. She began as a server and within a year was promoted to General Manager. Michael and Dinah quickly became friends. He took her under his wing and helped develop her palate, understanding, and love for wine. 

Over her nine years at The Wine House, Dinah has grown into her role as General Manager. She supervises day-to-day business, hires and trains staff, conducts event planning, and, most importantly, continues to grow her knowledge of wine. She recently passed her WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 with Merit, an accreditation that she continues to pursue. With the opening of Vino Bistro, Dinah has taken on an expanded role, overseeing both establishments as General Manager. 

Recent Press

“Pearce has a simple mantra for Vino Bistro: good value, fresh tasting food, and good service.”
Vino Bistro Uncorks in Village at Leeesburg, Loudoun Now
For New Zealand-born sommelier and restaurateur Michael Pearce, his Vino Bistro concept seeks to bring fine dining and fine wine without the frills to the Village at Leesburg neighborhood.
Read More

Join Our Team

We're always looking for talented people in the world of food, wine and hospitality. Send us your resume or email us with any questions at info@vinobistroonline.com.