merchants of thirst
Directeur de Soif
Kayne has built a career at the intersection of hospitality, wine, and distribution. He grew up in the restaurant industry, working in his grandparents’ bar and restaurant in Northern Michigan, where he developed an early appreciation for food and service. While pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation in Atlanta, Georgia, he honed his passion for wine through years of working in some of the city's top restaurants.
In 2010, Kayne moved to San Francisco, where he joined NOPA and Arlequin Wine Merchant, deepening his knowledge of wine and spirits. His time there solidified his passion for the industry, leading him to transition from restaurants to wholesale wine distribution in 2014. Since then, he has been dedicated to sourcing and curating a thoughtful selection of wines, focusing on independent producers committed to sustainable and organic practices.
In 2021, Kayne became a partner in Deux Punx, an established natural wine project producing small-batch wines with a hands-on, experimental approach. That same year, he launched De la Soif, a wine label dedicated to fresh, vibrant, and terroir-driven wines that reflect his vision for minimal-intervention winemaking.
Kayne lives in Glen Ellen, Sonoma County. When he is not immersed in wine, he enjoys carving through fresh powder in Tahoe, losing himself in the energy of a Phish concert alongside his wife, Samantha, and cooking meals that bring people together. A passionate traveler, he thrives on exploring new flavors, cultures, and music. When he is not on the road or in the kitchen, he enjoys camping under the stars and spending time with his beloved cat, Maddie.
KAYNE GUZOWSKI
Director of Spirits & Fortified Wine
Ian’s career in hospitality began while pursuing a Jazz Performance degree in Los Angeles where his time on stage quickly led to a passion for performing and creating behind the bar. In the years since, he has worked as a bartender, sommelier, manager, and educator in a variety of settings, from LA nightclubs to Texas steakhouses to San Francisco fine dining.
For over a decade he curated the pioneering program of Sherry pairings and cocktails at 15 Romolo which led him to the coveted international Copa Jerez competition, where he and his team became the first and only Americans to win the grand prize for Best Pairing Menu in addition to being named Best Sommelier. These accomplishments have opened a number of doors for Ian to pursue his passions for Sherry and education around the country.
In 2018, he partnered with longtime collaborators Kayne and Antonio in founding Merchants of Thirst, dedicated to importing honest, soulful wines and spirits made by independent families and artisans committed to farming and production with old school integrity rather than chemical interventions. The revolution will not be pesticides.
When he’s not sipping on Manzanilla, Ian can be found exploring and celebrating all that his native San Francisco has to offer. Long swims in the bay, camping trips in the redwoods, Giants games, record stores, and snowboard trips to Lake Tahoe are some of his favorite escapes from his obsession with wines and their stories. He would love to meet you and share some of his favorites.
Ian Adams
ERIC QUILTY
Northern California Sales / Vibe Architect
Eric Quilty grew up on the Jersey Shore. His first taste of the service industry was as a teenager on his hometown boardwalk selling sausage and pepper sandwiches. After graduating from RutgersUniversity with a pair of science degrees, he drove north to his future in Alaska where he spent 4 years as a fisheries biologist/educator by day and part time bartender by night.
Upon moving to the Bay Area in 2005 Eric immediately achieved an advanced BarSmartscertification. A few dozen vintage cocktail books later and he was off to the races. He was the Bar Manager at AQ’s sister restaurant, Bon Marché, as well at the American whiskey/BBQ restaurant,Smokestack in San Francisco. Prior to that he was the opening Bar Consultant and Bar Manager of Berkeley’s East Bay Spice Company and was also at the helm of the James Beard nominated Adessoin Oakland, to name a few.
With more than 20 years in the service industry, Eric has built a career at the intersection of hospitality, spirits education, and brand development. He served as Beverage Director for Stag Dining and Derby Cocktail Co., where he helped shape thoughtful, ingredient-driven beverage programs rooted in craft and creativity.
As co-founder of the beverage consulting and event team Jupiter Olympus, Eric has partnered with respected spirits producers including St. George Spirits, Campari, Wild Turkey, Jack Daniel’s, and Hotaling & Co., delivering elevated programming, immersive events, and strategic brand engagement. Eric also served as the Bay Area Brand Ambassador for The Bon Vivants, a San Francisco–based brand advocacy company and the team behind the acclaimed cocktail bar Trick Dog.
Currently, in addition to importing and selling wine for Merchants of Thirst, Eric serves as the California Brand Ambassador for Singani 63, the Bolivian spirit championed by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. In this role, he leads market development, trade education, and strategic partnerships throughout the state.
Expanding his entrepreneurial footprint, Eric and business partner Ethan Terry co-founded Van OnThe Run (VOTR), a cocktail catering company built around a restored 1976 Volkswagen Westfaliaconverted into a fully operational mobile bar. Equal parts craftsmanship and spectacle, the concept delivers a distinctive hospitality experience — a true Van de Soif.