Vino Franco is the creation of Oscar A. Montes Iga,  Official Member of The Wine Century Club of New York City, and a Professional Member of the International Wine Guild - he’s a dedicated wine enthusiast, grape hunter and oenophile.

Executive Chef of Wine Arts

To better understand the complex world of wine, Oscar underwent intensive advanced Wine Sommelier formal training under Claude L. Robbins, Guild Wine Master and Guild Master Wine Educator of the International Wine Guild. Oscar became a Certified Executive Chef of Wine Arts by the Guild in May 2010. He has been promoted to the position of Chef de Cuisine for the State of Texas on behalf of the International Wine Guild. With the support and inspiration of Daniel Kelada, Senior Wine Instructor, Oscar continued onto Advanced Master Level III studies with the Guild in 2011, all while working together under GUSTO Tastings – a company focused in wine education, hospitality consultation, winery tours and event production in Texas. In 2012, Oscar has received the humbling honor to the entitlement of the International Wine Guild Master Candidacy. For 2013, Oscar intends to prepare himself for Fine Spirits and Sake certifications. He has recently focused on Craft Beer and has just earned the Cicerone Program’s Beer Server Certification.

www.GUSTOtastings.com

The Wine Spectator School gives Oscar recognition as a Wine Service Professional. He’s also a Personal Chef with a diploma granted by the Culinary Business Academy, and has a Nutrition Specialization from the Career School of Health Care of Ashworth University, where he was inducted into the Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society.

Oscar graduated from Austin Community College with Degrees in Food & Beverage; Hotel & Lodging; Travel & Tourism; and Meeting & Events Planning - becoming a well rounded Ambassador for the Hospitality Industry. He has also earned Destination Specialist and Lifestyle Specialist Designations from The Travel Institute, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association has awarded him with Certified Concierge status.

Oscar has created this site to share and interchange ideas and open the doors to a realm of information for all his friends, family and colleagues.

Let’s all raise a glass and Taste!

SALUD!

I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn

Oscar is the current Interim Founding Toastmaster for the Austin Hill Country Chapter of the American Wine Society, and desires to extend membership to colleagues and friends, wishing to share wine education and inspiring more people to enjoy wine, and everything related to it. The Chapter should thrive in the Austin Area, once established.