Q&A

With Fleming’s Guest
Gary Ritzman
San Diego, California

Gary Ritzman and his wife, Theresa Drouillard, enjoy a night out at Fleming’s La Jolla.

 

What’s the best thing about living in the San Diego area? The climate and the people. We’ve been to some amazing places— Southern Italy, Spain’s Costa del Sol. We always think we could retire there because the climate and the locals are so amazing. Then we come home to San Diego and realize we have the best of both right here.

 

If you were a wine, what three adjectives would describe you? Intense and assertive, mellowing as the evening goes on.

Who or what inspires you the most?

Theresa, my wife and best friend.

She’s the president of a CPA firm, and

seeing her tireless enthusiasm for her work, her employees and her company never ceases to amaze me. She truly inspires everyone at the firm to take pride in helping their clients—but beyond that, she also strives to create an atmosphere where individuals are encouraged to pursue their own personal dreams as well.

 

If it were your last meal on earth, what food and wine would you ask for? I’d keep it simple: a crisp salad, a nice medium-rare steak and a bottle or two of Mollydooker Carnival of Love. It’s one of our favorite Australian reds.

 

What’s your favorite indulgence? Peaceful weekends to ourselves, with no obligations. We may go to the desert, to Las Vegas, drive up the coast to Laguna or Newport, or go shopping, which is something we both enjoy. Of course, during tax season Theresa is working 60+ hours per week, during which time I chip away at my “honey-do list.” Other bigger indulgences are trips to Hawaii, cruises to the Caribbean or Europe, and collecting fine art.

 

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be? As a fine art collector, it would be fascinating to spend an evening with Picasso or Eyvind Earle. Their vision was so unique. I’d love to better understand how they saw the world around them and then brought that to life for us to enjoy in a painting or drawing.

 

What’s the most memorable glass of wine you ever had? Actually, it was the first time I watched my wife truly experience the ever-changing subtleties, smells and flavors wine gives you from the first sip to the last sip. I’m not sure what we were drinking, but I still enjoy watching and listening to her describe how a wine is changing.