About Ruby Wines
VISION • RESPECT • RELIABILITY • PASSION • PERFORMANCE
Ruby Wines has been based on these fundamental concepts of success for four generations of family ownership.
Our mission is to supply superior customer service and world class selections to our growing list of customers across the region. We are proud to represent a comprehensive portfolio of wines and spirits from around the globe. The Ruby Wines team is our greatest asset, our employees are considered the best in the field.
Ruby Wines History
Prior to prohibition Ruby California Products – headed by Samuel and Irving Rubin – had humble beginnings as a syrup and soda business selling products such as Ruby Root Beer but was forced to close during World War II because of the limited sugar supply. With the repeal of Prohibition Ruby Wines, Inc. was established in 1933 – this time bottling fortified wines from California and distributing in Massachusetts. In addition, the family owned several liquor stores in Boston’s South End and Roxbury.
In the 1960’s Irving’s sons Ted and Bob joined the company as CEO and CFO respectively. With a continued focus on expansion, the Rubin family hired Wayne Niemi in 1988. He currently serves as Senior Executive VP and General Manager. Ted’s son Brad, a graduate of Boston University, followed in 1992 and currently serves as Executive Vice President. In 1998 Ruby Wines moved from its warehouse in Everett to its current 115,000 square foot office and warehouse in Avon, MA. Bob’s daughter, Jaime, joined the company in 2010, and now serves as Vice President of New Business and Marketing.
In Memory of Theodore “Ted” Rubin
Theodore Rubin was a founding member of the Guild of Oenopholists – the group that created the Boston Wine Expo – as well as a member of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and Ordre de Mondial. In addition, he was a past Master of the Everett C Benton Lodge. Ted received the Purveyor Executive of the Year 1994 from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, the Greater Boston Association of Retarded Citizens (GBARC) Man Of The Year in 2002 and the Israel Freedom Award in 2004. Ted’s many charitable endeavors included the Jimmy Fund, Genesis Fund and the Italian Home for Children to name a few. Ted was an avid golfer who won a record thirteen club championships and twelve ‘father and son’ titles while a member of Spring Valley Country Club before joining Blue Hills Country Club and Pine Brook Country Club in Massachusetts, as well as Trump International and Mirasol in Florida. Ted was an icon in the Massachusetts Wine and Spirits industry. His personal charm, business savvy and sense of family established the culture that exists at Ruby Wines today.
Ted passed away in 2009 after a battle with leukemia. His legacy lives on with a golf tournament in his name, “The Ted,” which has raised over $750,000 for the Jimmy Fund.
Our Executive Team
Robert Rubin
President, CEO, CFO
Robert Rubin, fondly known as Bob, joined Ruby Wines with his father, Irving and brother, Ted, after owning and operating several liquor stores around the Greater Boston area. Following college, Bob became CFO, while regularly running the sales team and routes that included Western Mass, Cape Cod & The Islands, and the Boston area. He served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association for three terms; was a founding member of the Anthony Spinazzola Foundation and is a current member of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. Among his many awards and recognitions, Bob received the Israel Freedom Award in 2004, Greater Boston Association of Retarded Citizens (GBARC) Man of the Year in 2002, and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association’s Purveyor Executive of the Year in 1994. He remains greatly philanthropic, giving to the Dana Farber Association, Leukemia Association of America, Pan Mass Challenge, Special Olympics, and many other charities.
Wayne Niemi
Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager
Wayne Niemi joined Ruby Wines in 1988, bringing an extensive knowledge of the Wine & Spirits Industry from both the supplier and wholesaler sides of the business. As part of the senior management team, He worked tirelessly, increasing the sales routes, salesforce and the back of house operational systems. His passion, enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to Ruby Wines has helped create an unparalleled workforce and work ethic among our team. Wayne is a member of the Guild of Oenophilists – the group that created the Boston Wine Expo – and co-chairs all of Ruby’s charitable participations. He has been an active participant of the PMC for decades and recently joined the Best Buddies Challenge in raising funds for inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Brad Rubin
Executive Vice President
Brad represents the fourth generation of Ruby Wines ownership. He joined his father Ted and his uncle Bob in the family business in 1992 after graduating from Boston University, where he studied Business Management and was a goalkeeper on their Nationally Ranked soccer team.
Brad’s introduction to the industry was working the harvest at Iron Horse Vineyards in 1992, where he observed firsthand all aspects of winemaking. Brad continued learning all facets of the business, becoming a salesperson, a sales manager, Senior Vice President – Director of Sales, and now Executive Vice President CEO of Ruby Wines Massachusetts, Ruby Wines New Hampshire, and Ruby Wines Rhode Island.
David Browne
Senior Vice President of Sales / Portfolio Management
David joined Ruby Wines in 2010 with decades of experience, working for suppliers, as well as owning his own wholesale company. As Senior Vice President of Sales and Portfolio Management, David leads the company’s Portfolio Management team, overseeing numerous portfolios as well as the salesforce and Division Manager teams. Additionally, David was a founding member and essential part of the creation of the Independent Distributor Network, an alliance of 24 Independent distributors with the goal of overcoming industry consolidation by offering a new model for wine and spirits distribution. He has been quoted in such publications as Forbes, and has worked with distributors across the country, creating successful brands for the buildout and establishment of the IDN.
David Duhamel
Vice President, Ruby Wines New Hampshire
David Duhamel, the VP and COO of Ruby Wines, New Hampshire, has over twenty-seven years of industry experience which includes working for suppliers and distributors covering New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. With a background in hotel administration and food service, he made the transition in 1995 and then joined Perfecta as COO in 2010. David has been partnering with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission in a variety of distributor roles and positions. His extensive working relationship with the NHLC and innate understanding of the complex New Hampshire market made him a vital part of the success and growth of Ruby Wines New Hampshire.
Samantha Straw
Vice President, Ruby Wines Rhode Island
Samantha Straw has been a member of the Ruby Wines Team for over a decade. In her current role as Vice President/COO of Ruby Wines Rhode Island, she is leading the expansion of the Rubin family’s vision into the Ocean State, delivering a curated portfolio of fine wines and artisanal spirits. Samantha is dedicated to providing top-tier customer service to local retailers and restaurateurs, backed by an impressive range of credentials. She has achieved two levels of Sommelier Certification through the International Sommelier Guild, is a Certified Specialist of Wine and certified Sake Adviser.
Jaime Rubin
Vice President, Business Development & Marketing
Jaime joined Ruby Wines in 2010 as part of the fourth generation of family ownership. Prior to joining RW, Jaime was a successful marketing and PR specialist in New York City—where she led the daily press and marketing plans for iconic brands such as Cole Haan, Krug, Sephora, Molton Brown, BMG Music, Jay Z and Rocawear. With a passion for the family business, Jaime eventually decided to return to Boston to follow in her father Bob’s footsteps. Jaime began as a sales representative then as a manager for new business development and continues to effectively promote our vast array of brands.
Join Our Team
Serving the beverage industry with passion, respect, and performance since 1933. Importing and distributing exceptional wines and spirits across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont.