Edward Robert Brooks, Jr. is the Managing director for Grande Marque Trading, LLC, and is responsible for investment grade fine wine acquisition and trading for the Fund, as well as the overall marketing strategy, planning and implimentation.

He has over 35 years of experience purchasing, selling, and managing significant fine wine inventories totaling over $100 million. 

Edward began his career in France working for the negociant firm Maison Ginestet at Chateau Margaux for the 1976 harvest, which was the last year the Ginestet family owned the Chateau, and continued from there to work in the company’s cellars in Bordeaux. At Ginestet, Edward was involved in the selection of wines for the Air France Concorde flights. He then worked in Germany on a similar apprenticeship with H. Sichel Sohne in Mainz, Germany.

Edward has extensive management experience working in the wholesale distribution side of the business, having been the Fine Wine Director at Chicago-based Judge and Dolph, Ltd for several years. He also spent over seven years working with noted importers-Remy Amerique as their Fine Wine Specialist in Chicago, and as the Central Region Manager for Frederick Wildman and Sons.

Edward has managed several major fine wine auction houses. He was Christie’s Vice-President, Department Head of Wine for the Americas; and Director of Fine Wine Auctions for Phillips. He founded Edward Roberts International, and served as its Managing Director and Managing Auctioneer for ten years. Upon selling the company to Acker, Merrall & Condit; he continued on as Midwest Managing Director, and Managing Auctioneer. 

His considerable personal relationships with key wine trade executives and personnel in both the primary and secondary markets, and with major wine collectors worldwide, provide Grande Marque Trading with unique access to desirable wines.

Writing as- E. Robert Brooks, Edward is a published author and composer who writes historical fiction mystery stories that are available on Kindle and Audible, as well as in print on Amazon with paperback and hardcover formats. His published works feature subjects such as- fine wine fraud (Wine Thief), equestrian competition (Pirouette), bicycle racing (Derailed Gears), vintage motorcars (The Concours Caper), and handmade guitars (The Latent Luthier). His new book- The Solemn Sea, is scheduled for release in April 2023. His published songs include Fire in the Heavens and Anathema Anthem.