Co-Founders Michael Wells and Nate Bourg met in 2016 over a shared love of wine. Nate was launching The Academy, a social club in San Francisco’s historic Castro neighborhood, and Michael — a certified sommelier who had just moved to the city — became its first employee.

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Over the years, Nate and Michael built a vibrant community of wine lovers. Michael’s deep wine knowledge and Nate’s business and marketing skills made them the perfect team — and eventually, great friends.

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In 2022, they decided to take the show on the road. Partnering with Carlos Ramos, a fellow gay sommelier and expert tour guide in Barcelona, they planned their first European trip: a wine tour through Northern Spain with 30 travelers, experiencing such a success that they immediately began planning the next one — this time to France. By 2025, the trio was leading a group through the world’s most celebrated vineyards, from Champagne to Provence and everywhere in between.

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Along the way, the travelers didn’t just discover incredible wines — they formed lasting friendships. Watching this community come together inspired Nate, Michael, and Carlos to create Haven Travel Club: a space where wine, travel, and friendship meet, and unforgettable experiences happen every step of the way.