Bringing the best European Wine to Colorado

Our Mission

Old World Wine Company’s mission is to work directly with small owner-operated grower domains across Europe whose wines respect the terroir, traditions and local varietals of the place, while also demonstrating integrity and value.

Our Team

Zach Locke, Owner

Zach Locke, owner of Old World Wine Co, started importing French wine into Colorado in 2004. Wine from France remains a focus, but Old World Wine Co. is now bringing fine wines from across Europe to Colorado.

Formally trained in culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University, Zach lived in Italy in 1999 and discovered the love for wine and its place in the culture, most importantly on the table to be enjoyed with a good a meal, family and friends. This foundation in fine food and wine forms many of the decisions he makes today. After returning to the United States, Zach worked in fine wine shops in Chicago and Vail, CO. After realizing that some of his favorite wines were not imported into the Colorado market, he started to import great Burgundy to the local market.

Today Old World Wine Co. works with more than 150 quality producers from France, Austria, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The common thread is top quality with a sense of place showing terroir.

Ashley Hausman MW, Director of Operations & Education

Ashley Hausman came into the wine industry in 2008 while completing her Masters in English and American Literature at New York University. After gaining certifications through the the Society of Wine Educators, the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, she passed the rigorous Master of Wine exam on her first attempt in 2017.

Ashley recently returned to Old World Wine Co as their Director of Operations and Education, eager to get back to the people and producers she missed. She continues to consult through Mistral Wine Co, which she formed in 2014. She has even gotten her hands dirty the past couple vintages, working harvest at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy and Screaming Eagle in Napa, before collaborating with some friends on her own wine project in the Willamette Valley in 2021. She is currently also co-writing a book on the Pacific Northwest wine region.

Midwestern at heart, she migrated back to the north country in Stillwater, MN where she enjoys being closer to family. When she is not thinking, breathing, judging, or drinking wine (particularly white Burgundy if she has a choice), she can be found reading, writing, running, rock climbing, cooking or obsessing over her dog.

Kyle Erickson, Front Range/Summit County Sales

Kyle Erickson joined the Old World Wine Co. team in the Fall of 2020 after moving to the Denver area from California's Central Coast. Originally from a restaurant background, he moved into wine sales in 2007 for Martine Saunier at Martine's Wines. Kyle's territory spans from Colorado Springs, into the greater Denver area, and West into Summit County. In his free time he loves to ski with his family, golf, cook, and enjoy everything the great outdoors provides living in Colorado.

Mike Elmore, Front Range Sales

Mike Elmore, sales rep for Boulder and Denver, worked as a GM & sommelier in restaurants from 2008 to 2020 in Colorado and Chicago before joining the Old World Wine Co team in March 2020. Following extensive study and travel through France, Italy, and Spain, Mike achieved his Advanced Sommelier certification via the CMS in Fall of 2018.

While he has a healthy obsession for all the classic regions as well as off-the-beaten-path, small growers, his passion for the "rabbit holes" of Burgundy & Champagne is all consuming.

Perrin Wolf, Aspen/Roaring Fork/Telluride Sales

After growing up in upstate NY, Perrin moved to Aspen following college in December of 2001. Perrin has worked in the Food and Beverage industry since the age of 16. He studied business and wine in college and interned at King Estate winery for the 1999 harvest. He has been a wine rep covering the Aspen / Roaring Fork Valley since 2010, and he also taken on a few part time sommelier shifts in Aspen.

Perrin enjoys skiing, of course, as well as hiking with my dog Monty, cooking, the occasional XC ski, golf in the summer and traveling!! Especially to wine and spirits regions of the world.

Matthew Austin, Front Range Sales

Matthew Austin has been working in the Colorado wine industry since 2004. He started in the Vail Valley, and then moved to Denver in 2010 to work the streets as a sells rep. He has been with the Old World Wine Co team since 2018. His territory is Denver metro to Northern Colorado.

A few of his favorite things to do are hiking, disc golf, and generally living the Colorado dream.

Ben Daroca, Vail/Steamboat Sales

Ben Daroca is originally from Evergreen, CO. He got a degree in Anthropology from Colorado State. Ben worked in kitchens for 15 years before getting into the wine industry as a sommelier at Larkspur. From there, he went on to run the wine program at Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard for 5 years in the heart of Vail, while he also consulted for various private clients throughout the state. In, 2020, Ben wanted to transition out of hospitality, so he joined Old World Wine Co, for whom he manages sales throughout the greater Vail and Steamboat area.

One thing most people don’t know about Ben is that he is quiet the mycological genius. He forages for mushrooms near and far in the great state of Colorado. His favorite wines are those from distinct terroirs, historic sites, and instrumental producers of Europe. On his days off, you can find him hiking, biking, skiing, or planning his next trip across the pond.