Michael Bray earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Denison University in 2001. He is the founder of and director of operations at Passion Vines Wine & Spirit Company in Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township.  Over time, Passion Vines has developed into an award-winning liquor store, specializing in the world’s greatest wines, spirits, and beer.  

Passion Vines has been recognized as one of New Jersey’s most philanthropic companies by New Jersey Monthly. The company received the 2015 Corporate Giving Award from Philadelphia Business Journal and won the Press of Atlantic City’s Best of the Press Gold Award for Best Liquor Store and placed Silver in their “Bucket List” category in 2014.

Michael serves on numerous business, government, non-profit, and community boards. In 2015, he served as president of the Somers Point Business Association and Chairman of the Somers Point Economic Development Advisory Commission. He is actively involved with Shore Health Enterprises, Inc. (Board of Directors—Vice Chair), Rotary Club of Somers Point, Multiple Sclerosis Leadership Class, and John R. Elliott HERO Society.

Michael was honored with the 2016 Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, Inc. Lou DeScioli Community Spirit Award and Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2016. He was named the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2015 South Jersey Entrepreneur’s Awards Honoree and the 2015 Somers Point Foundation for Education Community Honoree. He received the 2015 Somers Point Business Association Award of Excellence and was honored as one of Atlantic City Weekly’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2015.

Michael resides in Somers Point with his wife Kimberly and two beautiful children, Dylan and Jocelyn.

AWARDS

• 2014 New Jersey’s most philanthropic companies by New Jersey Monthly 
• 2014 Best of the Press Award, Voted Best Liquor Store & “Bucket List” by The Press of Atlantic City  
• 2015 Corporate Giving Award by Philadelphia Business Journal 
• 2015 South Jersey Entrepreneur's Awards Honoree by Philadelphia Business Journal    
• 2015 Somers Point Foundation for Education Community Honoree
• 2015 Atlantic City Weekly’s “Top 40 Under 40” 
• 2015 Somers Point Business Association Award of Excellence 
• 2016 Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, Inc. Lou DeScioli Community Spirit Award
• 2016 Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40”  
• 2016 Best of the Press Award, Voted Best Liquor Store by The Press of Atlantic City