In April of 1980, Dreadnought Wines opened its doors to the public at 1627 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District. The mission of the owners was to bring new and exciting specialty wines to Pittsburgh, while providing to the customer an alternate method of purchasing through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s system. Unlike the PLCB, the owners wanted to offer the public wine tastings, knowledgeable advice and credit card acceptance: innovative ideas that were immediately challenged by the state. As a result, the company was named Dreadnought Imports LTD after a class of English ships designed to navigate turbulent waters. In 1984 Dreadnought moved to the corner of 26th and Smallman.

Mike Gonze, Dreadnought’s current President, purchased the company in 1986, continued its mission and established a truly unique enterprise. In 1992 he moved the location to 2013 Penn Avenue and partnered with Deb Mortillaro, owner of the tabletop retail store, The Butler’s Secret, in order to expand the non-wine component of the business by adding wine accessories, Riedel stemware, and unique gifts. Responding to the demands of their clients, in 1995 Mike and Deb created Palate Partners to market wine gift baskets, and in that same year, launched a thriving Wine-of-the-Month Club.

Providing wines to Pittsburgh’s premiere restaurants, catering companies and the general public, Dreadnought continues its mission of educating the public, realizing that an informed wine consumer is its best customer. By partnering with catering companies and creating innovative wine and food programs, Deb and Mike consistently reinforce the belief that informed wine selection is an integral factor in successful entertaining. Gonze teaches classes, delivers seminars and performs tastings throughout the Pittsburgh area. Palate Partners, the wine and gift basket company, thrives and has become a million dollar producer of corporate and personal gifts.

Mike Gonze has taught classes for Community College of Allegheny County for over twenty years and created their wine education curriculum. Along with presenting seminars for the local Chapters of the American Wine Society, and the AWS National Conference, Mike frequently presents custom wine seminars for local corporations like Bayer, American Express and First Tier Bank. Mike is a member and on the Board of Riverside Development, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Yinz du Vin, a new professional wine group. He is an active member of the Society of Wine Educators and has attended their conferences in Oregon, Seattle and Vancouver. Mike is a frequent visitor to wineries in the US, has visited wineries in the Loire Valley and the Southern Rhone regions of France, and regularly attends tastings sponsored by importers, distributors, the Culinary Institute of America, and boutique wineries. Mike maintains a personal wine cellar with over 1000 bottles specializing in lesser known wines from the US and around the world.

Deb Mortillaro was born in Rochester, New York and graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in 1979. After graduation Deb served as an apprentice in a restaurant in Siena, Italy. After returning to the US, Deb moved to Chicago and worked at Morton’s of Chicago as the Garde Manger and at Stouffer’s Restaurants as the Menu and Facilities Design Assistant. In 1981 Deb moved to Pittsburgh and for 14 years served as the Private Chef to Milton Fine, owner of the Interstate Hotel Corporation, before partnering with Gonze as Co-owner of Palate Partners. Deb currently works as an Event Chef for All in Good Taste Productions, sits on the Board of Neighbors in the Strip, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, is the founder of VinFatales a philanthropic women’s wine tasting group, and is active in the Pittsburgh Community.