Draft:Carmine Campione

Carmine Campione is an American winemaker, wine judge, and military veteran. He is the founder of Possessed Wine.

Early life and education
Campione was born in the greater Cincinnati area to a noted clarinetist. He had his initial encounter with wine at the age of 11 during a trip to Lyon, France, where he was given a bottle of 1971 Bordeaux – Château Dillon. Later, he decided to pursue formal education in the field of wine. He graduated from Evergreen State College with a BA in biodynamic viticulture and a minor in international wine and fruit trade in 1994. He later earned a BS degree in whole systems design and multicultural wine marketing, also from the Evergreen State College, in 1997.

Career
Early in his career, Campione served in the U.S. Army in various capacities, including infantry, battalion foreign weapons specialist, and battalion radio transmitter operator.

By the late 1980s, Campione delved into the wine industry, taking on roles at Redhawk Winery and Evesham Wood Vineyard in Salem, Oregon. He gained experience in multiple facets of winemaking, from harvest to field blending to cellar management.

In the late 1990s, Campione moved to Napa Valley, where he worked at wineries such as Merryvale & Harlan Estate Winery and later, Vinecliff Winery. He also had an association with GBD Trading Company, facilitating wine sales throughout Napa and Sonoma Valley.

Upon his return to Oregon, Campione contributed to the establishment of the Pinot Wine Camp at Cherry Hill Winery. He also continued his education with certifications from the National Association of Cider Makers and Chemeketa Community College's Wine Studies Program. Over the years, he collaborated with vintners in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Willamette and Napa Valleys.

In 2016, Campione joined Domaine Serene Vineyards and Winery, and later worked at Portland International Airport in wine promotion. In the same period, he started his own wine venture, Possessed Wine.

In 2019, Campione was inducted into the Oregon Wine Brotherhood.

Wine tours
Campione organizes wine tours in Oregon through Oregon Winemaker Tours. The tour has been named the top wine tour in the Pacific Northwest by LUXLife Magazine, and Corporate LiveWire has described it as "the best tour anywhere".

Awards and recognition

 * 2019: Oregon Wine Brotherhood