From Retail Expertise to Wine Importing: Michael Yurch's Journey in the World of Wine
Michael Yurch
Owner/President of Bluest Sky Wine
Michael (Mick) Yurch is well known for his distinguished wine career. It began in 1985, with Sherry-Lehmann on New York City’s Madison Avenue. While there, Michael Yurch played a significant role in Sherry-Lehmann’s history and success as a renowned wine retailer. Meanwhile, he was also developing his experience with Italian and Spanish wines. Today, Michael Yurch is considered one of the foremost experts on these subjects.
From 1985 until 2013, Michael Yurch was the President and part-owner of Sherry-Lehmann. He traveled the world, tasting, studying, and buying wines for retail sales.
Regarded as an expert in French, Italian, and Spanish wines, Michael was honored with the prestigious Ordre du Mérite Agricole by the French government. Additionally, he was recognized with the European Wine Ambassador’s Award by the European Wine Council. He was later recognized as the Global Retailer of the Year by the Grandi Cru D’Italia, as well as admission to the Italian Trade Commission’s Hall of Fame.
In 2013, Yurch made the decision to sell his Sherry-Lehmann shares back to the company, and then started Bluest Sky Group, which is now called Bluest Sky Wine. Michael has fulfilled his long-held dream of becoming a wine importer. This has allowed him to further apply all the wine knowledge he’s received from the many vineyard trips, as a retail buyer.