Michael began his career in 1993 as a server/bartender and a wine enthusiast at a restaurant in Chicago.  For 10 years he honed in on his wine skills by studying Sante, Wine Spectator, and many other wine periodicals, pre- google, LOL.   Finally in 2008 Gejas cafe took him on as lead bartender and educator.    The intense studies began thru the Court of Masters and the pursuit to become a sommelier.  In 2012, secretly, took the exam and passed.  Then the work opened up.   Eno wine bar took him on as sommelier and chocolate buyer.   Knowing nothing about chocolate began to work with chocolatiers across the country and was taken to Tokyo to teach about chocolate and wine.  the hook sank in and Divine Dales became a name and as of 2018 he has created hundreds of chocolates, hosted several home wine parties, special wine/food paring events and are recently working on virtual classes.