Northampton Wines

Richard deBondt was born in The Hague, Holland and came to this country as an infant with his Austrian mother and Dutch father. He grew up in East Tennessee and came to Greenville, South Carolina in 1968 to attend Furman University. While pursuing a music performance degree, Richard became thoroughly involved in music performance of just about every sort. He joined the Greenville Symphony as Bass Trombonist, first as a substitute, and then as a regular “contract” player. Ice Shows, Circuses, Musicals, Rock Concerts, and traveling shows of all kinds filled out a very heavy performance schedule. He was a founding member of the “Foothills Brass Quintet” which was for many years the official Spoleto Festival Brass Quintet. The quintet engaged in a heavy schedule of concerts and recitals throughout the South, and was occasionally featured on NPR’s “Performance Today”.

While at Furman, Richard worked as a waiter and wine steward and developed a great enthusiasm for fine wine. In 1975 he joined with another Furman graduate and veteran waiter, Robert Warth, to open Northampton Wines. The two shared a conviction that they could successfully retail the same wines they sold in abundance in the restaurant.

As Northampton Wines has grown, Richard has shifted his schedule to include writing a regular series of wine articles, leading group travel to wine destinations, and conducting wine tastings of all kinds. Although he seldom accepts trombone engagements that require travel, he continues to serve as Bass Trombonist in the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. He also performs with various brass groups, notably the “Palmetto Posaunen”, an all trombone ensemble.

Richard is married to Karen and enjoys their joint pursuit of fine food and wine. Wine travel remains a fascination and there are always regions yet unvisited. Closer to home, the couple makes forays into the Southern Appalachian Mountains for daytime hiking and quiet dinners. The preferred combination is rugged backwoods hiking and pampered first class lodging. At home, a quiet dinner with simple food and fine wine is the best way to end the day.