Michael Kowalski is national director of sales & hospitality for Berkshire Mountain Distillers, one of the first craft distillers in the U.S. He brings decades of experience in event management to the team, notably with the Newport Mansions and Nantucket Wine & Food Festivals, as well as The Culinary Institute of America.

Having worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, Michael started at a very young age helping his father, a CIA chef-instructor, with the family catering business doing simple kitchen prep and assisting with setup and service at functions. From those humble beginnings, Michael used his extensive knowledge to create award-winning F&B programs (and wine lists) at luxury properties such as Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer in St. Helena, CA, Willow by Charlie Palmer in Rhinebeck, NY, The Point Resort in Saranac Lake, NY, and Wheatleigh in Lenox, MA. 

Michael is active as a tasting panelist for Wine & Spirits Magazine, as a recommendations specialist for Wine.com, and a consultant for La Cremaillere in Bedford, N.Y. He contributed to the cookbook The Art of Charcuterie, authored by John Kowalski and used in the CIA curriculum. 

Established in 2007, Berkshire Mountain Distillers (BMD) has created a line of award-winning artisanal spirits including Greylock Gin, Ethereal Gins, Ragged Mountain Rum, Ice Glen Vodka, Berkshire Bourbon and New England Corn Whiskey, currently available in 19 different states. All products are handcrafted in small batches in Sheffield, Massachusetts at the Berkshire’s first legal distillery since prohibition. BMD is one of the founding members of the craft distiller movement and is embraced by several of the nation’s leading mixologists. Our products have received numerous high accolades including Gold Medal Awards from the Beverage Tasting Institute and San Francisco Spirits Competition and national praise from publications like GQ, Details, New York Times, Wine Enthusiast and Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible. As supporters of local agriculture and business, BMD uses regional materials in many of our products, creating a truly authentic, artisanal brand. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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