Carlson Gracie Wine Country is Co-Owned and Operated by Asa Russell and Salvatore Spinelli
Salvatore Spinelli – BLACK BELT
Salvatore Spinelli is a Co-Owner/Black Belt Instructor and active competitor who enjoys helping students reach their goals in competition and self defense skill in their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Salvatore has been avid student of all martial arts history and culture from and early age. His father studied Japanese JuJitsu and was an inspiration to learn self defense which in turn helped build confidence, focus and respect. Salvatore is very proud to also now have his own son, Leonardo, Age 5 on the mat as well.
As an adult, it is an honor to be able to provide a facility where others can now start or continue their own training in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
– Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Carlson Gracie Lineage) under Professor Thomas Cronin recognized by Carlson Gracie Jr.
– Black Sash Instructor and affiliate in KaiSai Wing Chun and Chinese Boxing under Sifu Ken Mills of Chinese Boxing Institute International.
– Katalong Assistant Instructor Filipino Martial Arts (Kali/Arnis/Eskrima) under Guro Darryl Vidal
Asa Russell – BLACK BELT
Professor Asa Russell is a Co-Owner/ Black Belt Instructor and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt who is dedicated to teaching the skills and techniques that he has attained over the years. He is a retired Marine, and due to his 25 years of service and changing duty stations, was fortunate to be a student of several diverse and distinguished Professors. He was promoted to Blue Belt By Professor Vitor Ribeiro, Promoted to Purple Belt under the daily instruction of Professor Nicholas Walters by Professor Gustavo Machado, Promoted to Brown Belt and Black Belt under Professor Ricardo Guimaraes.
Professor Asa considers himself to be a student first and continually works to expand and improve his own technique and knowledge. He is laser focused on providing quality fundamental instruction in a safe, positive and enriching atmosphere for his students, both adults and children. Since he was a Blue Belt, Professor Asa has volunteered nearly as many hours as a coach for the kids classes as he has dedicated to learning the art himself.
Professor Asa is certain that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu possess the power to have a positive impact on the lives of everyone it touches. His goal is to grow the local Jiu Jitsu community in order to bring this positive lifestyle to people of all ages, of all skill levels and all back grounds in order to enrich their individual lives.
David Horton – BLACK BELT
David started practicing JiuJitsu in 2007
2007-2010 under Jerry Moreno (Moreno BJJ – New Bern, NC) White-Blue
2010-2015 under Fajita BJJ, Hiroshima, JP) Blue-Purple
2015-2019 under Tim Sledd and Charlie Grant (Small Axe BJJ becoming CSG-360, Oceanside, Ca) Purple To Black
2019-2023 under Kimi Kreis (K Team BJJ, Kaneohe Bay, HI)
Jason Hynd – BROWN BELT
Jason is a brown belt who started training while on a military deployment in 2006. Since then, he’s been a member of four Jiu Jitsu academies and trained at numerous locations all over the United States.
When he is not at his day job as a pilot for Southwest Airlines, or hanging out with his kids (several of who train at this academy), you can often find him as an instructor or student.
Amber Russell – PURPLE BELT
Hello, Im Coach Amber and I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since November 2012. My favorite part about this sport is the fact that you will never stop learning and I enjoy passing on my knowledge to our students. I also hold a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate.
Kristi Miedecke – PURPLE BELT
Kristi Bio Coming Soon
JAMES PHOTO COMING SOON
James Asmusen – PURPLE BELT
James Bio Coming Soon
GENE COOK, JR.
Gene, aka “BJJ Moses” Carlson Gracie Wine Country Founder