Close to home in Stillwater

Sutler's Staff

Andy Kass (View Recommendations)

I was most fortunate to have grown up in a close knit family where taste was very important. My mother and her three sisters were great cooks. All of my uncles were also great cooks. Every weekend we got together with at least part of the family and good food was always at the table. It was there that my appreciation began and my tastes developed further with travel and working in restaurants in my native Chicago. For me, beverages were just a natural extension of exciting taste discoveries and combinations.

Sutler's was a concept that developed over years and came to fruition in August of 1978. Simply, we intended to offer the St. Croix Valley the best wines, spirits, and beers from around the world. In addition to that, we intended to be the place where people learned about these beverages too. The sale of wine would be done through education, as part of a larger concept that wine and food are meant to be enjoyed together. The best entertainment is a fine meal, fine wine, shared by your best friends.

I feel that we grew with our community. As our customers traveled, enjoyed more restaurant meals, their tastes changed, and Sutler's was there to introduce different items. Cooking and entertaining have evolved and our challenge is to provide beverages to accompany these new dishes. It is fun for us to discover new tastes and help you to discover them as well.

All of these services are our pleasure to provide. We believe that our customers receive more than they expect at Sutler's Wines & Spirits.

David Burggraaff (View Recommendations)

I grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota and graduated from Bloomington Jefferson High School. Now I am married and live in Rosemount.

I have been in the liquor industry for eight years, starting when I was twenty one years old. I decided that a liquor store would be a good place to work while attending college. I began part-time with The Cellars Wines and Spirits where I learned a lot about the different products. A year later, a management position became available and I accepted that job and stayed for seven years. Then I wanted to try something different and took a position selling beer for a beer distributor. After about six months I realized that I really missed the retail atmosphere and selling wine. It has been less than one year since I joined Sutler's, but I love working here because of the great staff, the ambience of the store, and I am back doing what I love, selling wine.

Lee Bjorgan (View Recommendations)

I was born in western Minnesota, dangerously close to the South Dakota border. I have been in the beverage industry for 18 years, and had the experience of working both the wholesale and retail side of the business. I chose to return to the retail side with Sutler's Wines & Sprits in 1999. After servicing the staff at Sutler's I realized that not only were they passionate about wines and spirits, but they shared my love for ales and beers. What impressed me about the Sutler's staff was their attention to detail, customer service,and spirit of independent business operation.

I enjoy finding new brews for our customers to try. The staff here is so well informed that if there is anything that you do not know about specialty ales and beers, there is always someone here at Sutler's to answer your questions.

Stephen Kath (View Recommendations)

Born and raised in Minnesota, but in previous lives I got the opprotunity to travel around the world working in theater and radio. The travel gave me exposure to a great variety of food and beverages, far more than the German wine I grew up with at home.

I have spent eleven years in the industry, maintaining my interest in the world of beers and wines. My nine year tenure at Sutlers is due to my wife being impressed with the store and finding out that they were looking for some part-time help.

I am still working at Sutlers part-time after nine years. I get the opportunity to work with a bunch of cork dorks and foodies, all very impressive people. I also get to to work with one of the finest array of wines in the Twin Cities. I also enjoy the chance to work with all of you, answering your questions, matching your foods with new wines, and showing you our new discoveries.

Chris Huizinga (View Recommendations)