Our values

Neal has spent his life working with the people who make some of the world’s most unique and challenging wines. This journey gave rise to a set of core values that guide the experiences.

1. VALUE THE ARTISAN

The Neal Rosenthal Group highlights the artisan, for without the talent and dedication of the artist, the craftsman, and the entrepreneur, our culture is less rich and varied. Recognizing and supporting the small family enterprise is at the core of what we do.

2. RESPECT NATURE

Appreciating the seasonality, capriciousness, joy and occasional misery of our natural world is a precious element of the Neal Rosenthal Group experience; it provides deep insight into the daily ebb and flow of activities in the agricultural sphere.

3. INSPIRE THE IMAGINATION

The intricate tapestry of the Neal Rosenthal Group should light the flame of curiosity and expose the traveler to new and stimulating encounters, all in the hope of creating a new, more encompassing view of our world and those who travel within it.

“If these businesses lose the fight for resilience and longevity, we all lose a part of our humanity.”

— Neal Rosenthal

Our team

Neal-Rosenthal


  • Founder

    Neal Rosenthal is the co-founder of Rosenthal Wine Merchant (RWM), an importer and distributor of limited production, estate-bottled wines from Western Europe. This endeavor began in 1977 as a one-man retail operation in New York City, when Neal stepped away from his law practice to conceive of a project that would operate outside the mainstream wine business.

    Neal was joined shortly thereafter by his partner and wife, Kerry Madigan. The two have spent decades working with those who share the RWM passion for terroir, partnering with growers who produce limited quantities of the finest quality wines. They eventually expanded to create Mad Rose Specialty Foods and La Closerie, a 17th century maison d’hôtes in Arbois in eastern France. The passion and expertise that fueled these ventures is now being brought to light through Journeys a unified vision of intelligent, human-focused hospitality.

    Neal was born in New York City in 1945 and was educated at Rutgers, Columbia and New York Universities. He is the author of Reflections of a Wine Merchant, published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in 2008. He was featured in the documentary film Mondovino in 2004.

  • Chief of Staff, The Neal Rosenthal Group


    Debbie Soo is a seasoned brand strategist and marketing professional with over a decade of experience in global storytelling. Since 2018, she has worked closely with Neal Rosenthal, shaping the brands and digital presence of his affiliate companies. As Director of Marketing at Rosenthal Wine Merchant, she led the rebrand of the legacy company, redesigning the website and driving a sevenfold increase in traffic to the now award-winning industry benchmark.

    Previously, Debbie founded Feastive, NYC’s first meal kit delivery service for dinner parties, and led editorial teams at Crave Magazine in Hong Kong. With a deep passion for storytelling and brand identity, she has crafted content strategies for luxury brands worldwide, elevating their visibility and forging meaningful connections across industries.

Simone-Pozzo

  • European Operations, The Neal Rosenthal Group

    Simone’s greatest passion is introducing his clients to the less-discovered places of culture and tradition in Italy, his native country. He was born and raised in Ivrea, a small town with a great industrial design history at the foot of the Italian Alps in the Piemonte. After his studies he joined his family’s 100-year old jewelry business.

    Simone has been curating and managing bespoke experiential travel for more than fifteen years. Many of these adventures in various parts of the world have had as their ultimate destination an international marathon. He has run the New York City Marathon six times!

    In 2016, thanks to mutual friends, the Ferrando family of Carema, he met Neal Rosenthal with whom, thanks to a common vision, he began to collaborate on the creation of Mad Rose Journeys. A great lover of food and of the marriage of the imagination and skill that is born in the kitchen, he now spends a good part of his time in his restaurant on the island of Formentera, Spain.

  • Director of Sales, Mad Rose Foods

    Michael brings to Mad Rose Specialty Foods a rare fluency in how great artisan products move through the market. Having worked on both sides of the buyer-seller relationship at some of New York's most respected food businesses, he understands what chefs, buyers, and independent retailers need, and how to make sure the right products find the right homes.

    Based in Brooklyn, Michael is deeply connected to the specialty food landscape across the country, with a great understanding of the independent operators, wine bars, ingredient-driven kitchens, and specialty retailers that define the Mad Rose wholesale community. He arrived at this work through a genuine love of artisan food and the people who make it, and that enthusiasm carries through in every conversation.

Elise-Vincent

  • Directrice, La Closerie des Capucines

    A former winemaking associate of Neal’s, Elise brings her legendary hospitality and deep knowledge of the Jura to La Closerie des Capucines. Her passion for the region shines through in every guest experience, from local wine recommendations to hidden nature escapes.

  • Concierge, Closerie des Capucines

    A Jura native with a deep passion for her region, Zélie is an expert concierge at La Closerie des Capucines, offering guests warm hospitality and insider tips for the best local experiences. From hidden trails to must-visit wineries, she ensures every stay is unforgettable.