Our Team

Jake is the founder and leader of Terroir Tours. He grew up just outside of Charlotte, NC and moved to Greensboro to attend UNCG. A summer job during college had him moving and unloading cases of wine at a local wine shop.  Soon, he started working  in the kitchen, then behind the bar. Eventually he realized his passion for connecting with others and developed jedi like skills when introducing people to new wine and food. Jake purchased Rioja Wine Bar in 2016, became a Certified Sommelier in 2017, opened Lewis + Elm in 2021. Terroir Tours is the next iteration of his entrepreneurial endeavors. He has been planning adventures to wine destinations across the globe since 2014 and has led tours to Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Stellenbosch,  and most recently across Northern Italy.

While not at work, Jake enjoys playing golf, running, making fresh pasta and writing murder mystery stories.

Lauren grew up in Asheville NC, where she developed an honest affinity for hiking trails and craft beer. After graduating from Elon University as a teaching fellow, she attended UNCG to get her Master’s Degree in the same field. Her first career was in the field of international education. From month-long recruitment trips across China to coordinating weekend trips for international students at UNCG, Lauren has always had a passion for engaging in learning opportunities presented through travel and cultural exchange.   

In 2012, she fell in love with the wide and wonderful world of wine (and Jake Assaf)  and dove in head first. She’s worked as a wine professional since 2017; first at Rioja Wine Bar and secondly, with Jake to open Lewis + Elm in 2021. Her ongoing goal is to connect with people through travel, food & wine, and forge new friendships across the globe. She cannot wait to travel the world as a guide with Terroir Tours.

Having lived in Central America, Europe, and several regions of the United States, it's safe to say that James has been around.  James' background involves teaching English after graduating from George Mason University.  Before moving back to the states, James worked with the Ministry of Public Education in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  On his way back into the wine world he also captained a sailboat in the Florida Keys doing liveaboard charters.

You can find James following his stomach around the globe–food tours are one of his favorite ways to explore a new area.  That naturally includes the world of wine & spirits.  James holds a level two with the Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

James also loves to incorporate time to get outside in nature and explore what the surrounding landscape has to offer.